Should I change the transmission oil in my dodge van 1979?
Posted: June 1st, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Q & A | Tags: 1979, Change, DODGE, Should, transmission | 5 Comments »I bought it about 10 months ago and drove over 2000 miles with it so far. It drives really nice for it’s age and I have no problem with it. Recently I checked my motor and trans oil and they were leveled at full but the trans oil is a dark color and has a very light burned smell. I can’t remember if it was like that when I bought it. I asked a few and they tell me the trans oil is suppose to be red which mine is far from that color.
A trans oil change is a little expensive but I am willing to change it if it will help out save the van for a few more years. The only thing I spoke with my neighbor’s dad and he said sometimes putting in new oil in can actually ruin the trans because the gears could start slipping…
Any advice here would be amazingly appreciated… I am about to do some fun camping with her, should be a good time 
It should be changed.
If I were going to change it which I would based on your statement of color and burnt. Thats not good.
Is I would leave the existing transmission filter in place. And I would do a simple drain of the torque converter, and fluid in the pan. Go to walmart and buy the Supertech transmission fluid mercon III its cheap and its made by Mobil.
If you take it some where and they say they want to “flush it” it will send that tranny to the grave. You just need to do a drain and refill. That would be my advice.
The brown you see is worn clutch material in the fluid, changing it’s color. Changing it won’t hurt it. The old “wives tale” about a fluid change killing the tranny was started by people who wait until the transmission is already slipping before doing the filter and pan. By then it’s too late. Get a filter and pan kit, the proper fluid (type A if memory serves) and go for it.
Certainly change the filter too. Leaving the old one in place is just stupid. It could be clogged now, causing poor fluid flow and that could be why the fluid has overheated and turned brown.
Jon if you ask me you should change the transmission fluid and filter on any used vehicle you buy but it’s vital to use the proper recommend original replacement filter kit and transmission fluid.I’d not want to flush it just drain the fluid and change the transmission filter , keep in mind that over the years the transmission fluid recommended in the manual might of changed so double check with the dealership.
Just bec the fluid is a bit brown or smells like a burnt cigar doesn’t mean that the transmission has any problems but it could mean that the engine/transmission might of over heated or been run too hot in the past.This is one reason you need to drop the pan bec it’s normal for small tiny metal specs to be in the pan especially on such an old vehicle but bigger specs can be a sign of abnormal internal transmission wear and tear.
I’d also be quite eager to test the coolant level/quality buy yourself a 8-10 buck anti-freeze tester and test the quality and mixture of the coolant, be sure to follow the user instructions carefully and it should be mixed for 50/50 or for around -40c.Some systems use a transmission cooler or one has been added otherwise the rad and engine cooling system is used to keep the engine and transmission the proper running temperatures.So it’s vital that the coolant be of good quality and clean, plus I’d recommend changing the coolant too, plus the thermostat.Make sure that the low fan is engaging once the temperature gauge gets close to the half way marking and if you’ve A/C and it’s working it should cause the high fan should engage when it’s turned on.
Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way I’d check all the fluid levels and quality and change the oil on it too , also check for any possible leaks in the systems too.