I have an '06 - 2.4L with 6-speed manual trans, engine has 244,000 miles on it. I changed my transmission fluid yesterday and noticed a pile of silver sludge on the drain plug - photo is attached for reference. Is my transmission on its way out , or already pretty much shot? Thanks.
Need advice on manual transmission
- Thread starter Bkspear
- Start date
nathanotis
TJ Enthusiast
How often has the fluid been changed prior to this?
And how does that material feel? Is it a collection of fine particles or are there larger pieces that you'd classify as "chunks".
ALSO, how does it feel when you shift? do you notice and slipping?
I showed my boss (a mechanic of over 50 years) and he said, "If it's just fines and there's no big pieces, I'm not gonna get too worried about that. It looks like normal wear and tear. ESPECIALLY if the fluid isn't changed that regularly."
And how does that material feel? Is it a collection of fine particles or are there larger pieces that you'd classify as "chunks".
ALSO, how does it feel when you shift? do you notice and slipping?
I showed my boss (a mechanic of over 50 years) and he said, "If it's just fines and there's no big pieces, I'm not gonna get too worried about that. It looks like normal wear and tear. ESPECIALLY if the fluid isn't changed that regularly."
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JKP
TJ Addict
Unless there are big chunks of metal in there, that's just normal wear. Especially if the fluid had never been changed before.
Typically, you will start to get crunching and grinding when you are changing gears. This is because all of that metal from the synchros is wearing off and attaching to your drain plug. Eventually it wears away and you need to either rebuild or replace the trans. Sometimes a new clutch will help, but rarely is this the case.
For the record, mine has about 290k on it, and second gear is quite crunchy now when cold, and once it warms up it's mostly not crunchy unless a speed shift is attempted. Slow shifts at a touch higher rpm help a lot, as well as some rev-matching on downshifting into the crunchy gear. At least that's my experience so far.
Message: start to plan or budget for either a rebuild or replacement.
For the record, mine has about 290k on it, and second gear is quite crunchy now when cold, and once it warms up it's mostly not crunchy unless a speed shift is attempted. Slow shifts at a touch higher rpm help a lot, as well as some rev-matching on downshifting into the crunchy gear. At least that's my experience so far.
Message: start to plan or budget for either a rebuild or replacement.
I have only owned this Jeep for about 6 months now and I have no idea how often or if ever at all the previous owners changed the trans fluid. There were no chunks, it was all fine material into a sludge basically. I have had issues with reverse gear a couple times where I shift into reverse and it wont spin the wheels. After shifting in and out a couple times, it seems like something catches and then reverse works again. This has only happened randomly a couple times. Also, the transmission fluid level was low before I drained and refilled. Thanks.
Winks42
TJ Enthusiast
Not sure if the 6 spd is like the ax15 but keep the clutch pushed in for about 3 seconds before you shift into reverse. The ax15 doesnt have a synchro on R, not sure if its the same for you
nathanotis
TJ Enthusiast
Never a bad idea to start checking into transmission shops in your area... But It sounds like you're ok for now.
Pretty much this. Mine looked like that - and had a chunk or two to boot. Still shifts pretty good, not going to worry about it until it gets a lot worse. Hopefully the MTL will help it last longer. As for reverse, if it won't go in, put it back in neutral, fan the clutch, wait about 3 seconds, and try again. Standard procedure for reverse gear for me on anything - although I guess some of the newer ones are now syncro'ed.
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
This..^^^^
That plug is doing exactly what it's supposed to be doing.
You don't know if it's ever been changed. If it hasn't that's pretty amazing considering the mileage.
Fluid..
There is no magical fluid.
Not RL, RP, whatever.
Your tranny is in good shape or isn't.
My advice....
Fill it with what you want and fuhgetaboutit.
Go wheelin
Dont waste your money on Redline!
When it doesn't go in reverse either go back into neutral off the clutch back on the clutch and into reverse again , or when not going into reverse properly back off the clutch a bit and feel it in. There is a Knack to it but after a while you can feel its in or not before releasing the clutch.
When it doesn't go in reverse either go back into neutral off the clutch back on the clutch and into reverse again , or when not going into reverse properly back off the clutch a bit and feel it in. There is a Knack to it but after a while you can feel its in or not before releasing the clutch.
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Many ways to skin that cat.
Sometimes just taking it out of reverse and back in is enough. Sometimes a nudge in first of an inch or two is enough.
And by all means don't go running out buying Redline. It's not a tranny in a bottle.
Every manual...even some of the very same models have different quirky behaviors.
Get to know yours. No big deal.
Go wheelin
