So I recently puchased a 2000 xj with the AW4. Has 175k on it and I don't know if/when the trans was ever serviced. I noticed that the lines were pinched from the upper control arm hitting it at some point (looks like it was hit on the right side at some point in time and prob caused it) and who knows how long it's been run like this. Looking at the fluid it's pretty dark. I am going to put new lines on it but should I also drain and refill or leave as is since it's pretty dark? It does not slip but has kinda hard shifts. I don't think it smells burnt per say but it doesn't smell the same as new fluid obviously. Pics attached.





Pinched lines


Thanks in advance!

 

Fluid looks horrible. change it. Id drop the pan too, change the filter, and inspect for damage.
running bad fluid will harm her.

 

Thanks for the reply. Would you consider that burnt or just dirty?

 

Yes change the fluid . I used a good synthetic like this

 

You are overthinking this. Just change it. Dex/Merc, no mouse milk, no power flush.

 

Agreed, just drain and fill with Merc III. The trans is pretty durable, simple maintenance.

 

Don't do this unless absolutely necessary. The filter is just a screen. Just do several drain and fills with Dex/Merc.

 

Yes change it, no need to waste money on synthetic either, makes no difference on these transmissions. This works fine.

 

+1 change the fluid (non synthetic is just fine), drop the pan do a new filter (API or Wix both the same made in Taiwan) and pan gasket, I would also replace both of the fluid cooler lines RockAuto has them for under $30 each.

 

You wont know if the filter change is necessary until you see it, at which point one might as well replace it. If time is of essence one should have new filter in hand when pan is removed. I change them

the pan also should have a magnet filter in it, that can be cleaned of course.

 

The filter is just a screen so you could get away with just doing a few fluid changes in a short period of time rather than dropping the pan

 

Of course if the filter is clogged, and magnets covered in debris, you wont know that by simply draining Do a complete job, no half measure, specially since service history is unknown, specially since fluid is filthy.
A tranny is too expensive to do half measures when servicing.
But hey, maybe you are made of money and can afford half measures, and a new tranny?

good luck

 

Ordinarily I would say dont bother change filter/drop pan etc, except if the vehicle is new to you

There may be debris in the wire screen filter from failing clutches that you want to know about, and there will be sediment in the pan, which you can clean out

In my opinion, you should always try to run with AT fluid to spec, which is every 3 years or 30k miles

dirty or degraded fluid will shorten the life of your trans

If you dont want to power flush, putting 3 lots of fluid means it is about 98% pure, that would be enough if it goes well, and you dont want to drop the pan

 

I wouldn't't bother to change the filter, it's not an actual filter like a normal transmission has, it's just a screen. Just drain and refill a couple times.

 

Its function is a filter. But then again....
I suppose an oil filter is just paper not an actual filter, so dont change the oil filter. And that air filter, again paper, dont even bother removing it to inspect, it is only paper.
Jeeze!