How important is it to change the automatic transmission filter?

Moab

Moab

TJ Expert
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Messages
3,165
Location
El Segundo, California
'99 Jeep TJ 4.0, 32rh AT, 140k miles. Trans fluid is very dark. I'm having it changed (not flushed). How important is it to change the trans filter? If I need to I want to use a Felpro gasket. Any issue with that? Or better replacement? How about the filter - does mopar offer a filter and is it the one to get?
 
The smart thing to do is take the pan off, flush it, and change the filter as well.

I suspect you're talking about taking it to the oil change place and having them cycle the new fluid in with one of those machines. Don't do that, have it done the right way.

FelPro are some of the best gaskets you can use, no issues there. For filters, OE Mopar is good, but I suspect @Jerry Bransford knows of a good Fram filter to recommend.
 
I dropped the pan, changed the filter, put it back together and flushed the rest of the way per Jerry's method. It was a good thing I dropped the pan, there were several rust holes only being sealed by the paint. I was able to poke through in several places.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: Jerry Bransford and Chris
When I did mine I also replaced the pan with a new one. The new pan also had a tranny temp sensor and it’s been an invaluable addition.
 
Apparition said:
When I did mine I also replaced the pan with a new one. The new pan also had a tranny temp sensor and it’s been an invaluable addition.
Click to expand...

Mind sharing where you got that? I'm definitely doing all other remaining fluids but I may have the dealer complete this flush for me the first time around. If I do though, I will be providing the parts rather than having them do it for me and upcharging...
 
I don’t have the 32RH, but I imagine it’s like any other transmission pan I’ve ever dealt with and has a magnet stuck to the inside of the pan. Stuck to that magnet will be really fine particles of metal. You have to imagine that the filter will have some of that same fine particles in it.

If they are already in there, change the filter. MOPAR is good, but others Will work just fine too. I’ve used Wix, Fran and Purolator transmission filter in my Jeep and other vehicles with no problems.

FelPro makes great gaskets. I recently used a Lube Locker gasket on my 42RLE and it worked well too. Cost is much more than a equivalent FelPro though.
 
Not_Invented_Here_ said:
Mind sharing where you got that? I'm definitely doing all other remaining fluids but I may have the dealer complete this flush for me the first time around. If I do though, I will be providing the parts rather than having them do it for me and upcharging...
Click to expand...
Sensor came with the gauge

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GDGD00/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I can’t find where I bought the pan but it was likely advance auto and I used a felpro gasket.

Here’s how I added the sensor to the pan.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CJ0626/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
  • Like
Reactions: someguysjeep
Chris said:
I suspect you're talking about taking it to the oil change place and having them cycle the new fluid in with one of those machines. Don't do that, have it done the right way.
Click to expand...

I don't deal with automatics much, but at the oil change shop I worked at in high school (20 ish years ago), we had two transmission services available.

1. a flush machine that connected in place of the cooler and replaced all of the fluid (but not the filter or any nasty stuff that might have settled in the pan)
2. remove the pan, change the filter, and refill. Because so much fluid is held up in the transmission/torque converter, this only resulted in about a third of the fluid actually being replaced, and was the only one that ever resulted in a drop of hot, filthy, burned ATF dripping past my safety glasses onto my eyeball.

Either option always seemed like a compromise to me, so I'm interested in what is the right way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris
freedom_in_4low said:
I don't deal with automatics much, but at the oil change shop I worked at in high school (20 ish years ago), we had two transmission services available.

1. a flush machine that connected in place of the cooler and replaced all of the fluid (but not the filter or any nasty stuff that might have settled in the pan)
2. remove the pan, change the filter, and refill. Because so much fluid is held up in the transmission/torque converter, this only resulted in about a third of the fluid actually being replaced, and was the only one that ever resulted in a drop of hot, filthy, burned ATF dripping past my safety glasses onto my eyeball.

Either option always seemed like a compromise to me, so I'm interested in what is the right way.
Click to expand...

I would assume a Jeep dealership or any diligent TJ owner performing this maintenance would go for both 1 and 2?
 
Not_Invented_Here_ said:
I would assume a Jeep dealership or any diligent TJ owner performing this maintenance would go for both 1 and 2?
Click to expand...

seems like you would, but then you have to decide which to do first? Do you run all your new fluid through a dirty filter, or replace your filter and then run all your old dirty fluid through it while you flush?
 
Flush AND change filter , and don't wait too long between intervals .

If a filter gets clogged , and they do, filters catch particles, it's why they exist... It leads to higher temps that fry clutches.

To reverse flush only is bad advice my Ford Dealer gave me .. I have 450,000 miles on a stock, E40D transmission that towed a lot ,that durability came from filter changes and an aftermarket cooler in my opinion...and the fact an E40D is a really good transmission...but it's only rated for 175,000 miles .
 
I have to say I don't like this no email notifications when someone responds to your own thread. Sorry I missed all these guys. How much should I pay for a complete flush and filter change?
 
cliffish said:
I get the emails but no matter what I do they keep getting swept into spam.
Click to expand...

I rarely get email notifications from threads I'm following. MEans you have to come back here and dig thru threads to find replies. I'd think we'd lose alot of visitors that way. Especially first time visitors. Normally you get email notifications. Or you can opt out.
 
moab said:
I have to say I don't like this no email notifications when someone responds to your own thread. Sorry I missed all these guys. How much should I pay for a complete flush and filter change?
Click to expand...

I don’t get email notifications, but you should get a notification in the top right corner of new replies to threads you’ve commented in. Looks like a little bell and will have a red dot with a number in it. The number being how many notifications you have.

Maybe you have it turned off in the settings?
 
MountaineerTom said:
I don’t get email notifications, but you should get a notification in the top right corner of new replies to threads you’ve commented in. Looks like a little bell and will have a red dot with a number in it. The number being how many notifications you have.

Maybe you have it turned off in the settings?
Click to expand...

No. This forum does not have email notifications you can sign up for. Like a normal forum. It will send random ones. But you have to continually dig thru the site to find replies to threads your following or that you've created. I find it much more organized and easier to follow with email notifications. I'd think you'd lose alot of members without this function. I prefer to stay current with each conversation in a thread. But until then you'll have to continually come back to the site and dig for others replies. Rather than having them organized in your email to come back to the exact comment or thread.

I think Chris is concerned about to many emails from a forum becoming spam like. But I've never had that problem with normal email notifications. You have to sign up for them. And if you don't want those emails. You can simply opt out on a normal forum. To bad because it makes it hard to follow a given set of comments in a thread that you want to follow. Especially in your own threads that you started. I did not get one email concerning the many replies in this thread that I created.

Hopefully they'll reconsider this. If it's to many emails for someone you can always open a forum only email account. Or simply opt out of email notifications. I belong to many other forums. and it's the only way I can keep it straight.

This is by far my favorite forum at the moment. So I will continue to come back to the forum to dig for replies. I think you'd get alot more returning customers if you had the email notifications though. I fear some will just get frustrated and move on. Or not realize someone responded to their thread or comment. And not return.
 
moab said:
No. This forum does not have email notifications you can sign up for. Like a normal forum. It will send random ones. But you have to continually dig thru the site to find replies to threads your following or that you've created. I find it much more organized and easier to follow with email notifications. I'd think you'd lose alot of members without this function. I prefer to stay current with each conversation in a thread. But until then you'll have to continually come back to the site and dig for others replies. Rather than having them organized in your email to come back to the exact comment or thread.

I think Chris is concerned about to many emails from a forum becoming spam like. But I've never had that problem with normal email notifications. You have to sign up for them. And if you don't want those emails. You can simply opt out on a normal forum. To bad because it makes it hard to follow a given set of comments in a thread that you want to follow. Especially in your own threads that you started. I did not get one email concerning the many replies in this thread that I created.

Hopefully they'll reconsider this. If it's to many emails for someone you can always open a forum only email account. Or simply opt out of email notifications. I belong to many other forums. and it's the only way I can keep it straight.

This is by far my favorite forum at the moment. So I will continue to come back to the forum to dig for replies. I think you'd get alot more returning customers if you had the email notifications though. I fear some will just get frustrated and move on. Or not realize someone responded to their thread or comment. And not return.
Click to expand...
I get email notifications for either replying or when I follow with email notifications. I think it notifies you of the first message after and there may be more. Click the alert to go to first unread message.
 
Apparition said:
I get email notifications for either replying or when I follow with email notifications. I think it notifies you of the first message after and there may be more. Click the alert to go to first unread message.
Click to expand...

Even with everything checked you only get random email notifications. Per Chris.

And like I said, I created this thread. And did not get a single email notification about any of the many posts that followed.

4444.JPG
 
Top Bottom
Back