Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hard shifting - Changed 5-speed transmission oil with a tank sprayer!

A couple of weeks after having my engine oil changed, I noticed that my manual 5 speed had become difficult (sometimes nearly impossible) to shift. After reading up on the topic, I began to wonder if the shop had added something other than GL-4 to my transmission. I called them to see what they would top it off with, and after a long delay, they said they wouldn't add oil to that transmission because they don't stock the correct one.



I decided to change it. I picked up one quart of Mopar p/n 4874459 and four quarts of GM p/n 12346190 because I read here that the GM dealers sell it cheaper. In my experience, the Mopar product was $19. 00 per quart from Nichols Dodge in Burlington NC and the GM product was $20. 19 per quart from Sonny Hancock in Gastonia NC. Another GM dealer said he would let me have it for $15. 45 per quart, but he was out of stock. Gee, wonder why.



The GM product comes in a container that actually looks like you could use to squeeze the oil directly into the fill hole, but I found it to be difficult due to the angle.



After trying several different hose and funnel methods, I finally decided to try my 2 gallon Solo tank sprayer used for spraying garden products. It had been rinsed with bleach and was perfectly clean and dry, so I wiped it out and loaded a gallon of the oil into the tank. I removed the spray nozzle, pumped the handle a dozen timesand wasted about a cup of fluid into my drain pan which was still under the transmission, just to get rid of any trash that might still be in the sprayer hose. I then inserted the end of the hose into the fill hole, propped the handle on a box, locked the trigger and waited on overflow... about 10 minutes. I added some Permatex to the threads of the fill plug and replaced it.



My transmission now shifts like new. Don't know if the garage actually added something strange or if it was just time for an oil change. Hard shifting is gone! The stuff I drained was dark brown. Either way, I plan to do this again soon, just to be sure it's 100% Castrol Syntorq with no left-overs.



Anyone wanting to try the sprayer method of fluid install might want to invest in a cheaper pump sprayer. The Solo (while not the backpack version) was still a bit expensive to relegate for fluid changes. It did a great job, but there are likely cheaper ones that would likely work as well. Needless to say, that's all this one will be used for now since my wife might not appreciate the new luster on the leaves of her favorite plants!

 

Good idea - we just bought a new garden sprayer to replace the tired old one - might still be entirely satisfactory for use as you did...

 

I use a drill-powered pump. Sucks down a quart bottle in no time! Excellent for sucking out the old lube from diffs and refilling without removing the cover.

I have front and rear Mag Hytecs now and lube changes are really easy with a drain plug. No time wasted cleaning up RTV sealant.

Fast Coolers are a good addition to any trans with PTO covers so long as there is room. Gives you added lube capacity and more surface area for cooling the lube.

Also, for the sake of comparison, I've been running Amsoil Series 2000 'TGR' 75W90 in my NV4500 for about 35,000 miles. Shifts exactly the same as it did with the factory fill. Somewhat less expensive too. Using it in the Dana 80 too.



http://www.amsoil.com/products/tgr.html

 

Chris,



Thanks for the post on the drill-powered pump. I've been wondering how I would go about doing the diff... crack the cover, or how to pump it out. Great idea!



Did you order directly from Amsoil? How 'bout for the Hytecs and Fast Coolers? Where to buy?

 

The stainless steel water fire extinguishere work really well too. Just fill them up with oil and ad some air pressure. Ad a little hose to reach better and squeze the handle.