Servicing - A/t: Maintenance Dodge Neon II

SERVICE INTERVALS

Check transmission fluid level every month. Under normal service conditions, transmission fluid change is not necessary. Under severe service conditions, change transmission fluid and filter 48,000-mile intervals. Severe service conditions are conditions such as continuous operation during extreme temperatures, continuous operation in stop and go traffic, long periods of engine idling, trailer towing, police, taxi, local delivery service or operating in dusty conditions.

CHECKING FLUID LEVELS

1. Drive vehicle until engine and transaxle are at normal operating temperature. Park vehicle on level surface. Apply parking brake. Turn engine off. Connect scan tool to data link connector. (Scheme 54)
2. Start engine. Using scan tool, read transmission fluid temperature. Using transmission fluid temperature displayed on scan tool, determine proper fluid level on dipstick. (Scheme 55) Add appropriate type of transmission fluid if necessary. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-138070-S38703057092002031900000). DO NOT overfill transaxle. Turn engine off and remove scan tool.

Scheme 54

Scheme 55

DRAINING & REFILLING

1. Raise and support vehicle. Loosen oil pan bolts. Tap on one corner of oil pan to loosen. Allow fluid to drain from oil pan. Remove oil pan bolts and oil pan. Remove oil filter screws, oil filter and gasket from valve body.
2. Clean oil pan, magnet and all sealing surfaces. Using NEW gasket, install NEW oil filter. Install and tighten oil filter screws to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-138070-S26996836462002031900000) . Apply appropriate RTV sealant on sealing surfaces of oil pan. Install oil pan and tighten oil pan bolts to specification.
3. Add 4.0 qts. (3.8L) of appropriate transmission fluid to transaxle. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-138070-S38703057092002031900000) . Apply parking brake. Start engine and allow it to idle for at least one minute. With brakes applied, shift transaxle through all gear ranges and return to Park. Add additional fluid to bring level to 1/8" below ADD mark on dipstick. Recheck fluid level with transaxle at normal operating temperature. Adjust fluid level to within HOT range on dipstick. DO NOT overfill transaxle. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVELS»(ref-138070-S20235936432002031900000) .

OIL COOLER FLUSHING

Note. Manufacturer recommends Cooler Flusher (6906) as the only suitable procedure for flushing oil cooler. Use only petroleum-based flushing solvents. Do not use solvents containing acids, water, gasoline or any other corrosive liquids.

Note. Always reverse flush when flushing oil cooler and lines.

Flushing Procedure

1. Note oil cooler supply and return lines. (Scheme 56) Remove cover plate filler plug on cooler flusher. Fill reservoir 1/2 to 3/4 full of fresh flushing solution.
2. Reinstall filler plug. Ensure pump power switch is in OFF position. Connect Red alligator clip to battery positive, and Black alligator clip to chassis ground. Disconnect oil cooler lines at transaxle.
3. Connect Blue pressure line to outlet oil cooler line. Connect Clear return line to inlet oil cooler line. Turn pump on and flush oil cooler and lines for 3 minutes.
4. Monitor pressure reading and Clear return line. Check equipment manufacturers instructions for pressure specifications. If solvent flow is intermittent or exceeds specified pressure, replace oil cooler(s).
5. Turn pump off. Disconnect Clear suction line from reservoir at cover plate. Turn pump on for 30 seconds to purge flushing solution from oil cooler lines. Turn pump off.
6. Place Clear suction line into a one qt. (.95L) container filled with ATF. Turn pump on until all fluid is removed from container. This removes remaining flushing solvent from oil cooler lines. Turn pump off.
7. Disconnect alligator clips from battery and ground. Remove flushing adapters from oil cooler lines. Reconnect oil cooler lines. Fill transaxle with appropriate fluid to proper level. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVELS»(ref-138070-S20235936432002031900000).

Scheme 56