Transmission questions

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

I'm thinking about changing the fluid on the 02 liberty, should I change the filter at the same time? I've not changed it since I own it (5+ years), I read I should use ATF+4 right? Maybe some lucas with it too?
Also, to change the fluid should I do it the old fashioned way, pull one the hoses to the front cooler and put it on a container then start the engine until I get 4qt out, fill with another 4qt until I get clean fluid?
Lastly, what do You guys think about adding one of those oil coolers with a fan and a thermostat controlling it? Is it necessary with this vehicles? My wife drives is most of the time and I drive it when We take long trips.
Anything else I should know?

Thanks in advance.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

Anyone?

Kasmir Jones · **Posted:** Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:19 am

How many miles does it have? Im running into the same situtation. Mine has 195,000, I was told by a couple of mechcanics not to change. (I would be opening up can of worms.) BTW mine shifts fine, just wanted to do some up keep.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

We have 130k miles on it, shifts fine too for a chrysler transmission I've been told. I'm used to truck transmissions where it is normal to change the fluid every couple of years or mile count to keep the fluids fresh, I have no experience with this jeep but would like to keep it for a long time if possible since I kind of like it.

I read there are two filters for the transmission (a spin on and regular tranny filter), is this the case for the 02 liberty?
How do I go about this dump the pan drain and clean, pour some +4 ad start the engine with the feed line to the cooler re-routed to a 1 gallon jug refill and do it again?
I don't want to mess this up and I already searched several times in case someone did this before but I can't find it.

Help is appreciated.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sat Mar 24, 2012 1:01 am

Drop the pan, and you get a filter kit (both filters) You will want to count the number of pan bolts you have, that is how the aftermarket kits are determined (I forgot how many on the 45 vs 42 tranny) as an 02, you could have either, but most likely the 45 rfe.
replace both filters and wipe out the pan and magnet. be very careful when removing pan, they bend real easy, and then they will leak on you. Use only ATF+4 don't add any other additives. start with 4 qts then check and add, you may need up to 6 qts, but you don't want to overfill it.

A cooler with fan is not necessary, but if you don't have a cooler, adding one that is in line to mount in front of radiator if you do not have it already is easy and would help.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

Got it, but 6qt, only? Wow I thought I needed at least twice that much. I'm used to do this on one of My truck, takes about 18qts and I have to start it with a hose (or cooler line) on a gallon jug then refill with new fluid.
This sounds easy enough, thanks.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:41 pm

Yeah I'd drop the pan and change the filters. My 42rle doesn't take as much fluid as the 45rfe and I've used 8qts both times I've changed it. I change mine every 30k. Just a personal thought, I'm no expert, but I see no problems dropping the pan no matter how many miles you have. I would NOT have a flush performed though.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:19 am

EZLiberty wrote:

Got it, but 6qt, only? Wow I thought I needed at least twice that much. I'm used to do this on one of My truck, takes about 18qts and I have to start it with a hose (or cooler line) on a gallon jug then refill with new fluid.
This sounds easy enough, thanks.

You may need up to 8 or 9 qts, but it just depends on how much drains out of the pan. over all capacity is like 14/16qts or something like that, but that includes in the lines and the Torque Converter, that won't drain out if yu drop the pan and filters.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

USAFCOP wrote:

EZLiberty wrote:

Got it, but 6qt, only? Wow I thought I needed at least twice that much. I'm used to do this on one of My truck, takes about 18qts and I have to start it with a hose (or cooler line) on a gallon jug then refill with new fluid.
This sounds easy enough, thanks.

You may need up to 8 or 9 qts, but it just depends on how much drains out of the pan. over all capacity is like 14/16qts or something like that, but that includes in the lines and the Torque Converter, that won't drain out if yu drop the pan and filters.

Is it ok if I only refill what is missing, is this enough? With other automatic transmissions I usually pull one of the lines from the front cooler and put it on a gallon jug and start the engine, when it is full I turn it off and refill with 1 gallon of new fluid through the transmission dipstick, I do this until I have drained the full capacity of fluid from the transmission. This way I know all the old fluid should be out, but I have never done this on a jeep liberty.

Thanks.

EZLiberty · **Joined:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:46 pm **Posts:** 84

Well I did the change last weekend. Used 8 qts of castrol +4 atf, 2 filters and a gasket. It seems to shift smoother and the old filters looked to be the ones it came out with from factory. I re-filled it a few times, I did not want to overfill it.

Thanks everyone.

Transmission questions

Who is online