My 98' XJ has 215xxx on it. I bought it with 208xxx and I am trying to tackle a few things that i think need attention. Changing the trans fluid is next on my list. I have read several places that people are using dexIII instead of the ATF +4. Also my fluid looks like motor oil, the first time I checked it I thought I had pulled the oil dipstick by accident. Thoughts and suggestions please!! Thanks

 

Use a name-brand Dex/Merc III. Do multiple drain/fills (drain/fill, drive it for a day or two, repeat) until it looks nice and red.

 

OP- Here's your answer.

 

So what about a filter/gasket change with that many miles and has probably never been changed?

 

You can if you want. It's not a filter. It's a screen. I've never changed one. Never needed to.

 

I change my filter. There are others on the forum that say it is not a filter, it is a screen, and it does not need to be changed. If you drop the tranny pan one usually notices a smooth silvery paste in the bottom of the pan. These are metal shavings, which can get caught in the filter/screen and cause problems in shifting and performance.

 

Funny that the factory never had an interval to change that screen under normal maintenance. I have never experienced the problems you described in my 12 years as a Service Manager and Shop Foreman at a Jeep dealer.

 

So with that being said and the possibility of the trans fluid never being changed I should be ok to just do a drain/fill until red?

 

Yes. The AW4 is a very hardy trans. As long as it's not totally gooey or mucky, you'll be fine. What's the worst that could happen? It doesn't clean up as you hoped so you change the screen? Well then, you've already flushed out a bunch of the old fluid that wouldn't come out of the converter either way.

 

Awesome thanks for the advice. That will definitely save some time and money!

 

My money's on this working out just fine for you.

 

Not trying to be a total idiot to you;but, doesn't the fact that he stated that his ATF looked like motor oil throw up any red flags to you?
Plus as you state your "12 years as a Service Manager and Shop Foreman at a Jeep dealer". ALL Jeep dealers around here and all that I have spoken to say that the ATF+4 has superceeded the Dexron III requirement and are most adamant about that.

 

Although, I will give credit where credit is due. I can not find any literature from Jeep that states to change the screen/filter at a specific interval.

 

Well there are a couple things to consider when listening to noise from dealerships:

- ATF+4 is the standard fill on all Chrysler transmissions
- ATF+4 has different physical and chemical properties than D/M
- ATF+4 is known to cause slipping in high-mileage AW4s where the manufacturer-specified fluid works fine
- The AW4 is not a Chrysler transmission (rather an 23-year old Toyota - basically unchanged since 1989)
- Jeep dealerships are in the business of carrying fluids for vehicles under warranty
- Chrysler has pulled the same BS before by replacing GL-3 75W90 gear oil with 10W30 motor oil for the AX-15, another transmission they never made and don't have to support anymore

 

They're correct, that is the party line. Chysler did eventually approve +4 in the AW4's. But not until the last one was out of warranty! They insisted +4 NOT be used when they were on the hook for repairs.

It's fine in a new or low-mileage AW4, which is how manufacturers do their testing. In one that's run Dex III for the last 100-200K miles, switching has occasionally caused problems.
Then again if Dex III has provided 100-200K + trouble-free miles, there isn't any deficiency with III you need to correct with +4 either. No upside, possible downside.