How bad is it to run an Nv3550 on a cup of fluid for a year.

So I had been noticing my transmission(nv3550) getting noisy and problematic. Grinding, difficult to get in gear, and popping out of gear. The wife had told me to check the trans fluid ages ago but after some asking of the wrong people i was told manual transmissions do not require fluid(I asked the wrong people).
It was getting worse so i looked here and found lo and behold a great deal of info regarding the nv3550 and fluids. I decided to drop the fluid with my next oil change.

i pulled both plugs and barely a half cup dull mercury looking liquid came out. Also lots of metal on the drain plug. Filled it up with diesel and cycled the gears (I can't remember where I heard to do this). Drained it (more Metal on the plug) and filled it with Royal Purple.

The result was very encouraging, way smoother shifting, a bit quieter, and I swear it has more power.

TL,DR: Given that I have a commute of about 45 min, 5 days a week for about a year, how much damage Have I done to my transmission by running it on only a cup of trans fluid?

mmmmm
a quick google found that the capacity is 2.1 quarts.

So 1 cups versus 8.4 cups of fluid...
ouch

i failed to mention that I am aware of its capacity.

And the lesson learned is ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR WIFE!!!!:happy175:
No telling how much damage has been done, until it is torn down. I would probably take the chance and keep driving it while budgeting for an overhaul, sooner or later it will need one. If it starts exhibiting the same problems again, better plan on doing it soon.

or go find a donor/replacement for cheap and either go over it yourself or have it done.

sota said:

or go find a donor/replacement for cheap and either go over it yourself or have it done.

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Yes its just a matter of time now, that low for that long like running with nothing basically

Like Tom said, Its a matter of time before that ****** fails, Can't imagine the damage that was done, I understand not everyone knows a bunch about vehicles but being told a transmission does not require fluid is nuts, If I were you I would buy a roadside assistance membership, Keep driving her while saving for a new ******.

I'm surprised it lasted this long. Usually the first thing to go are the synchronizers - meaning that it will be hard or impossible to put in gear. Usually it will start with one gear or a pair of gears - once that happens the transmission fails completely in short order (a mile or 1000 miles - depends). If/when the hard shifting returns you better have plan "B" in place.

Since its still working you MIGHT have dodged a bullet with nothing more than plain dumb luck - but its doubtful.

The question is - how'd it get so low in the first place? Any leaks or maintenance work done that was left half arsed?

Royal Purple is about as effective as Purple Kool-Aid..plan on replacing ASAP with MOPAR recommended or equivalent....

Hockeygoon said:

I'm surprised it lasted this long. Usually the first thing to go are the synchronizers - meaning that it will be hard or impossible to put in gear. Usually it will start with one gear or a pair of gears - once that happens the transmission fails completely in short order (a mile or 1000 miles - depends). If/when the hard shifting returns you better have plan "B" in place.

Since its still working you MIGHT have dodged a bullet with nothing more than plain dumb luck - but its doubtful.

The question is - how'd it get so low in the first place? Any leaks or maintenance work done that was left half arsed?

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I'm not sure exactly. I don't know that it has ever been serviced. speaking of half "arsery" though, I did have a new clutch kit installed by a neighborhood shop who did a crap job on that and also broke my rear power window and basically shrugged when i asked him to fix it(turned out to be the plug to the switches in the center console). I should dig up the invoice though and see if I was charged for fluid. also gonna stick something under it so i can see if its leaking.

Do you think would this explain a grinding noise on acceleration in every gear but 4th?

twowings said:

Royal Purple is about as effective as Purple Kool-Aid..plan on replacing ASAP with MOPAR recommended or equivalent....

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I have heard both sides of this story. I plan on dropping and replacing the fluid on my next oil change. I will try an alternative.

also props on Ubuntu usage. I have recently switched to Kubuntu on my laptop, its a nice change.

Trans time...

The "mercury like" liquid you took out of your differential was gear oil mixed with metal from your gears, bearings, and other internal metal parts. I would seriously search for another transmission. You could have your existing one rebuilt but it would be cost prohibitive. Look on carpart.com for used transmissions. This is a nationwide search engine for salvage yards and you will have several transmissions to choose from. I have bought 2 trans using this site and was pleased. I would do it now before your Liberty goes down.

The nv3550 has a lot of brass parts in it that don't like to be ran dry. I would plan on getting a replacement lined up for when this one craps out. And I recommend using the mopar fluid in it also. Only 2 quarts so it's not financially restrictive.

libertybob said:

The "mercury like" liquid you took out of your differential was gear oil mixed with metal from your gears, bearings, and other internal metal parts. I would seriously search for another transmission. You could have your existing one rebuilt but it would be cost prohibitive. Look on carpart.com for used transmissions. This is a nationwide search engine for salvage yards and you will have several transmissions to choose from. I have bought 2 trans using this site and was pleased. I would do it now before your Liberty goes down.

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Thanks for the link.... after discovering my undercarriage slathered in royal purple today, I am sure its time is coming soon.

mcdeaglesandwich said:

I'm not sure exactly. I don't know that it has ever been serviced. speaking of half "arsery" though, I did have a new clutch kit installed by a neighborhood shop who did a crap job on that and also broke my rear power window and basically shrugged when i asked him to fix it(turned out to be the plug to the switches in the center console). I should dig up the invoice though and see if I was charged for fluid. also gonna stick something under it so i can see if its leaking.

Do you think would this explain a grinding noise on acceleration in every gear but 4th?

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Could be the ****** or the clutch, Or both lol, Your not having very good luck with a manual ******!

mcdeaglesandwich said:

Thanks for the link.... after discovering my undercarriage slathered in royal purple today, I am sure its time is coming soon.

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Kind of pricey rust preventative!
Replace the clutch while trans is out.

Found a ****** at a junk yard near by for 300, with a 6 month warranty(not sure about the warranty bit from a yard though) Probably going to pull the trigger on it in the next few weeks. Meanwhile my libby is on light duty

libertybob said:

The "mercury like" liquid you took out of your differential was gear oil mixed with metal from your gears, bearings, and other internal metal parts. I would seriously search for another transmission. You could have your existing one rebuilt but it would be cost prohibitive. Look on carpart.com for used transmissions. This is a nationwide search engine for salvage yards and you will have several transmissions to choose from. I have bought 2 trans using this site and was pleased. I would do it now before your Liberty goes down.

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Used trans...

Manual transmissions for Liberty's aren't that common. I wouldn't wait if the trans looks good and finances allow. Parts are sold first come first served. $300 is a good price. Can you pull an inspection plate to see the internals? If there is a magnetic drain plug check it for metal particles. 6 month warranty at a salvage yard usually means they will replace the trans with another one or give you a credit for the amount you paid if they don't have one. No cash refunds though and no coverage on cost of installation. Ask your yard about their policy. I find salvage yard parts work best when I install them.

I plan on installing it myself, this all sounds like good advice. Will def require looking at it before I buy. I am not sure what is involved with "Pulling an inspection plate" but I will look it up and see. Thanks for the info.

libertybob said:

Manual transmissions for Liberty's aren't that common. I wouldn't wait if the trans looks good and finances allow. Parts are sold first come first served. $300 is a good price. Can you pull an inspection plate to see the internals? If there is a magnetic drain plug check it for metal particles. 6 month warranty at a salvage yard usually means they will replace the trans with another one or give you a credit for the amount you paid if they don't have one. No cash refunds though and no coverage on cost of installation. Ask your yard about their policy. I find salvage yard parts work best when I install them.

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