Trans fluid question

[KnightHawk434th]

I've been doing alot of reading on what trans fluid to use if mtx. I've read ONLY OEM FLUID, I've read full synthetic motor oil (some plain, some with additive) and I've heard other fluids like synchomesh or whatnot. Now here is the question...I have to pull my tranny and drain all my fluid (much easier that pulling engine to change rear main seal). The dealer here sells OEM fluid for $25/qt and he has to order it and it'll take a good 2 weeks so they say (i think that's bull, but whatever). A buddy of mine just pulled the tranny out of his honda and put full synthetic motor oil in as tranny lube and has been running no problem...but then again it's a honda. I have 5 1/2 qts of Q-Advance FULL Synthetic 5W-30 sitting in my garage, and was wondering if I might be ok to use it (maybe even with an additive, doesn't matter) or full synthetic ATF or do I HAVE to go with factory fluid? Unfortunately this is my DD car and I can't afford much downtime...that and I'm broke, so what route should I go? Any help would be great thanks.

 

[absolute_DSM]

Auto or manual? Why do you have to pull the tranny?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Factory fluid is the way to go. The NV-T350 has a finicky tranny with paper lined synchros that supposedly rapidly deteriorate with ATF, Synchromesh or other non-factory fluids. The fact that the dealer is trying to charge you $25/quart is a little outrageous. Last I remember, it only cost about $15/quart. Plus, New Venture Gear (back when they were still called that) announced that their specific brand of ATF+4, which is even cheaper than the other fluid, will work too.

Now, with that said, I've run Pennzoil Synchromesh in my NV-T350 for 3+ years at this point. Would I recommend it? No... not if your car is a daily driver. I only risked it because I knew I would replace the tranny anyway, but so far so good.

 

[Locke]

Mopar ATF+4 can be had WalMart (mine stocks it, at least) for $3-4 a qt.

 

[KnightHawk434th]

The local transmission shop says use ATF +4, the local Chrysler dealership says run ATF +4 and the Mitsubishi dealership in the next city north says only OEM fluid, and they want to charge the outrageous amount of $25/qt and it HAS to be ordered in sets of 12 only (so the idiot in parts says). I don't have $300 to shell out for only 2qts of fluid that unless I do tranny work will not need to replace for a while so I'm steering clear of them.

So I guess ATF +4 seems to be the ticket then? I believe I can get that stuff at almost any store that sells oil here in town.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

So I guess ATF +4 seems to be the ticket then? I believe I can get that stuff at almost any store that sells oil here in town.

Yes, but like we said, look for the Mopar ATF+4.

 

[KnightHawk434th]

Picked up some Mopar ATF +4 tonight at walmart for around $4/qt. I managed to get the suspension out of the way and the axles pulled today so all i have now is mounts, bell housing bolts and shimmy the trans our the bottom and i'll be ready to look at my damage. Thinking either TOB is toast, rear main is backwards, or input shaft seal fubared. Will find out eventually. Hopefully i'll be ready to put it back together soon, but won't be able to do much until i'm home from school again.