Transmission service advice

[TravisRogers]

I got a transmission service done at a really good indie Jeep shop and it started making a whining sound. Still shifts perfectly smooth... it just whines really loudly like a supercharger.

I found out they didn't use Lifeguard fluid. Though it probably doesn't make a difference, I thought I'd get a proper redo with the officially approved fluid at the dealership (just to cover my bases).

Problem is, I'm getting information that's all over the place about a drain and refill.

Dealership 1 said transmission fluid isn't a serviceable thing and they don't do it.

Dealership 2 said they'd do it but the filter is an "ungodly amount of work" and they don't recommend it.

Dealership 3 (my local dealership) quoted $850 for a drain & refill (because they said "it takes 9 quarts of fluid") and $1045 if I "wanted them to drop the pan." Don't you always have to drop the pan? Or is there a guy who sucks it out of the fill hole with a straw?

What am I missing here? Am I wasting time and effort trying to fix this whine by overthinking the fluid?

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[Barney392]

I got a transmission service done at a really good indie Jeep shop and it started making a whining sound. Still shifts perfectly smooth... it just whines really loudly like a supercharger.

I found out they didn't use Lifeguard fluid. Though it probably doesn't make a difference, I thought I'd get a proper redo with the officially approved fluid at the dealership (just to cover my bases).

Problem is, I'm getting information that's all over the place about a drain and refill.

Dealership 1 said transmission fluid isn't a serviceable thing and they don't do it.

Dealership 2 said they'd do it but the filter is an "ungodly amount of work" and they don't recommend it.

Dealership 3 (my local dealership) quoted $850 for a drain & refill (because they said "it takes 9 quarts of fluid") and $1045 if I "wanted them to drop the pan." Don't you always have to drop the pan? Or is there a guy who sucks it out of the fill hole with a straw?

What am I missing here? Am I wasting time and effort trying to fix this whine by overthinking the fluid?

If you have the wrong fluid in there you now have a serious problem. The fluid makes a huge difference! No way to get it out without tearing the transmission apart and doing a rebuild. (I would have the question the comment" a really good indie Jeep shop".

 

[alphawolff]

There's a drain plug on the bottom and a fill plug on the side. Drain it, fill it, start it, fill it again while it's running. Very easy process. Changing the filter required replacing the pan as it's integrated into it. It's still suggested to replace the filter when doing your service interval. Use the correct 8/9 speed OEM fluid.

It's very possible your shop didn't know the fill it, start it, and fill it again while it's running part.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Yeah, the type of fluid makes a difference in this transmission.

Older vehicles not so much.

 

[TravisRogers]

Thanks guys.

And wait... there's a drain plug?? I thought there was no drain plug on these.

And I don't think they put the wrong fluid in... this shop comes very highly recommended. I just noticed the fluid brand on the invoice isn't on the list of officially ZF8-approved fluids. It's the fluid they use all day, every day. I'm just wondering if I have an issue that is exacerbated by non-factory fluid.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Read this and decide if you can do it or not. It is not overly complicated.

If they did not follow the proper fill procedure, then your fluid is low and is why it is whining (aside from the obvious by using the wrong fluid).

What did they use?


https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ission-service-diy-how-to-instructions.94302/

 

[wibornz]

Read this and decide if you can do it or not. It is not overly complicated.

If they did not follow the proper fill procedure, then your fluid is low and is why it is whining (aside from the obvious by using the wrong fluid).

What did they use?


https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ission-service-diy-how-to-instructions.94302/

this is a great thread. Just note, there is a specific process for doing the fluid change and it is well detailed in the list link.

Read the link…..

 

[TravisRogers]

Read this and decide if you can do it or not. It is not overly complicated.

If they did not follow the proper fill procedure, then your fluid is low and is why it is whining (aside from the obvious by using the wrong fluid).

What did they use?


https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ission-service-diy-how-to-instructions.94302/

Thanks! Saw that, and it looks really straightforward.

Also found this video:

At the end, he's experiencing what I did –– the post-fluid-change transmission whine. Makes me wonder if I need to redo the top-off process.

 

[Stetson]

Is there a reason not to go back to the original shop and ask them to take a look at it? If they did not service your Jeep correctly and you are driving it around you could have a problem.

take it back there and tell them it’s whining and you are concerned because it’s never done that before and you noticed the fluid on the receipt is a non Jeep fluid .

If they are reputable they will have no problem helping you out.

my 2 cents

 

[58Willys]

Take it back to the shop that did the work and tell to follow factory service procedures, including correct fluid. If they used incorrect fluid, they should flush it correctly.

 

[TravisRogers]

Quick update on this. Drained the fluid (Amsoil), replaced the filter, and refilled with proper Mopar 8/9 fluid. Whine is gone and we’re back to normal. The whole process took less than an hour.

Thanks for the advice, gang!

 

[AlgUSF]

Quick update on this. Drained the fluid (Amsoil), replaced the filter, and refilled with proper Mopar 8/9 fluid. Whine is gone and we’re back to normal. The whole process took less than an hour.

Thanks for the advice, gang!

Uh, oh!

You said the A-word (Amsoil), let the discussion begin.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Uh, oh!

You said the A-word (Amsoil), let the discussion begin.

 

[silveflash]

Thanks! Saw that, and it looks really straightforward.

Also found this video:

At the end, he's experiencing what I did –– the post-fluid-change transmission whine. Makes me wonder if I need to redo the top-off process.

^^^ this is why i sold my 2021 ford ranger with it's 10 speed auto and this is why i went with a 6spd manual on my new 2024 willys. i would have NOT bought the willys if all they offered was the automatic- loosening exhaust bolts and no drain plugs on the pan and God knows what other hoops there are, is not something i want to do myself and def not something i would trust anyone around me that works on vehicles, to do. They can't even tighten lug nuts correctly here.

 

[TravisRogers]

^^^ this is why i sold my 2021 ford ranger with it's 10 speed auto and this is why i went with a 6spd manual on my new 2024 willys. i would have NOT bought the willys if all they offered was the automatic- loosening exhaust bolts and no drain plugs on the pan and God knows what other hoops there are, is not something i want to do myself and def not something i would trust anyone around me that works on vehicles, to do. They can't even tighten lug nuts correctly here.

I hear ya for sure but you still have to change the fluid on a manual trans, no?

I also don't think you actually have to loosen the exhaust. I didn't. The pan slides under it.

I'll also say that, in spite of the lack of a drain plug, the trans flush was one of the easier things I've done on this thing. I did it on the ground, no jack, with a very basic tool kit. I made more of a mess changing the transfer case fluid for some reason.

But yeah, if my wife could drive a manual, I would have gotten that.

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