Pan Drop Service or Leave It Alone? 2006 Liberty 3.7L 4WD / 42RLE @ 200k Miles

[monstermangraphic]

Hey Guys, Thanks for all your help over the years.

My 2006 Liberty Sport 4WD (3.7L / 42RLE) is approaching 200,000 miles.
The transmission currently works fine: no slipping, no delayed engagement, no harsh shifts, and no codes.

Around 150k miles, a transmission fluid line came loose or failed while driving on the highway. I don't know which line it was or how much fluid was lost, but the Jeep had to be towed and repaired. Since then I've put about 50k miles on it with no transmission-related issues.

I recently acquired an OEM filter, gasket material, and ATF+4. My plan would be a simple pan drop, magnet cleaning, filter replacement, and refill. No flush.

The attached photos shows the current fluid on a paper towel.

Given the mileage, current condition, and history, would you:

• Leave it completely alone?
• Do a pan drop, filter change, magnet cleaning, and ATF+4 refill?

Any advice from those with experience on high-mileage 42RLEs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[lfhoward]

The fluid isn’t as red as it used to be but it’s not brown or black. Does it smell burnt at all?

If not (and maybe even so) I would lean towards a pan drop with fluid and filter change (not a flush). I’m at 238,000 on mine and it’s been about 60,000 since the last change, so probably about time for me to do this job too.

The pan magnet will tell you a lot when you get access to that. Here’s to a healthy high mileage transmission.

On your 06 do you have a dipstick? By the 08 the fill tube is still there but the dipstick has been replaced by a cap that says “Dealer Use Only”. LOL.

 

[eric1514]

I recently dropped the pan on my 2005 because it had 172k miles and I didn't know the history of it and the fluid was darker than it should have been. Two things made this a very easy thing to do, and I recommend you do the job.

1) Don't drop the pan full of fluid. Suck the ATF out through the dipstick tube into a container. There are lots of methods for doing this. I have a small 12-volt, $12 pump I bought years ago for changing the oil on a FIAT 500. Look at some YouTube videos and search Amazon. You'll see tons of mechanical vacuum devices like this one. LINK They're mostly in the $40-$50 range. I'd have bought one if I didn't still have my small pump. People use them to perform oil changes. Dropping a pan full of fluid makes a mess on the ground and on your Jeep.

2) Buy a new pan. They're cheap and it's very likely you will bend the old one removing it. They're glued on pretty good and cleaning the old one is another messy job. Just clean the magnet and transfer it to the new pan. Here's the pan I bought. LINK

Good luck, it's easy and can't hurt.

 

[monstermangraphic]

The fluid isn’t as red as it used to be but it’s not brown or black. Does it smell burnt at all?

If not (and maybe even so) I would lean towards a pan drop with fluid and filter change (not a flush). I’m at 238,000 on mine and it’s been about 60,000 since the last change, so probably about time for me to do this job too.

The pan magnet will tell you a lot when you get access to that. Here’s to a healthy high mileage transmission.

On your 06 do you have a dipstick? By the 08 the fill tube is still there but the dipstick has been replaced by a cap that says “Dealer Use Only”. LOL.

Thanks, that's kind of where I was leaning as well.

The fluid doesn't smell burnt, and I agree the magnet will probably tell the real story.

I'm leaning toward a simple pan drop, filter change, and refill rather than leaving it alone.

And yes, mine still has the dipstick.

 

[JeepJeepster]

I'll always believe in dropping the pan and changing the fluid. I dont care how many miles are on a transmission. Heck, do it twice.

 

[Robochop]

I agree with the idea of dropping the pan and doing the entire fluid change. Not sure, but I think the maintenance manual says either 15k or 30k miles! I added a drain plug to my ****** pan because I have several liberty's and keep up on my routine maintenance.

 

[monstermangraphic]

I agree with the idea of dropping the pan and doing the entire fluid change. Not sure, but I think the maintenance manual says either 15k or 30k miles! I added a drain plug to my ****** pan because I have several liberty's and keep up on my routine maintenance.

Thanks Robochop, Definitely gonna get 'er done. I found a home town ****** shop with near 5 stars been around for decades. I'd do it myself but wanna watch a pro first time. Looking to get a quick pic when he drops the pan and will post back then. -S

 

[sota]

only reason NOT to do a pan drop and fluid change, is if the fluid is in really bad shape. I know it's counter intuitive, but the whole "I changed the fluid & filter and my trans blew up 1000 miles later!" is a real thing. We just had it happen on the khaki jeep... 134k miles, never had a fluid change. I did it. 2k miles later the trans grenaded... as in chunks of metal were in the pan when I finally dropped it.

 

[monstermangraphic]

only reason NOT to do a pan drop and fluid change, is if the fluid is in really bad shape. I know it's counter intuitive, but the whole "I changed the fluid & filter and my trans blew up 1000 miles later!" is a real thing. We just had it happen on the khaki jeep... 134k miles, never had a fluid change. I did it. 2k miles later the trans grenaded... as in chunks of metal were in the pan when I finally dropped it.

Yeah, I've read many horror stories that all seem to point to having a full fluid flush done or full fluid replace which I understand can potentially destroy the trans with loose bits moving about. I also see that many newer vehicles have omitted ability to check trans fluid and seem sealed up till they go. It may have been fortunate for me having that accident with the lines many years ago, as it forced an involuntary fluid loss/ refill and amazingly my fluid is still a bit red at nearly 200,000.

 

[monstermangraphic]

UPDATE — Pan finally dropped at ~197k

Well, I finally had the pan dropped.

OEM filter replaced, pan and magnet cleaned, and refilled with Valvoline ATF+4.

Transmission was shifting normally before the service and is shifting normally afterward. Drove it about 30 minutes home with several stops and everything felt normal.

The mechanic didn't report anything concerning in the pan or on the magnet.

Ironically, what finally got me back into a transmission shop was an intermittent no-crank and P0706. Another shop suspected the transmission range sensor, but AAMCO re-diagnosed it before doing any transmission repair and found the actual starting problem was low voltage from a failing starter wire. They replaced the wire and I had them go ahead with the pan/filter service while it was there.

So after all the debate about whether to touch a normally operating 42RLE at nearly 200k, I went ahead and did it.

Here's what the pan looked like at ~197,000 miles.

And @lfhoward — you said the magnet would tell the story, so here's the picture I promised.

Curious what you guys think.

 

[lfhoward]

UPDATE — Pan finally dropped at ~197k

Well, I finally had the pan dropped.

OEM filter replaced, pan and magnet cleaned, and refilled with Valvoline ATF+4. The attached photo is before cleaning.

Transmission was shifting normally before the service and is shifting normally afterward. Drove it about 30 minutes home with several stops and everything felt normal.

The mechanic didn't report anything concerning in the pan or on the magnet.

Ironically, what finally got me back into a transmission shop was an intermittent no-crank and P0706. Another shop suspected the transmission range sensor, but AAMCO re-diagnosed it before doing any transmission repair and found the actual starting problem was low voltage from a failing starter wire. They replaced the wire and I had them go ahead with the pan/filter service while it was there.

So after all the debate about whether to touch a normally operating 42RLE at nearly 200k, I went ahead and did it.

Here's what the pan looked like at ~197,000 miles before cleaning.

And @lfhoward — you said the magnet would tell the story, so here's the picture I promised.

Curious what you guys think.

That’s a clean looking transmission pan! What great news. Hopefully you can get another 100k miles on that unit!

 

[eric1514]

That magnet is a lot cleaner than the one in my Jeep when I dropped the pan at 172k. Mine had a lot of “fuzz” on it.

 

[JeepJeepster]

That magnet is oddly clean. I've never had one be that clean, even with 30k miles oil changes.

 

[lfhoward]

You must be registered for see images attach

By comparison, mine looked like a miniature hedgehog. Luckily it was fine metal mud, not splinters or chunks.

 

[eric1514]

You must be registered for see images attach

By comparison, mine looked like a miniature hedgehog. Luckily it was fine metal mud, not splinters or chunks.

Yeah. That's more like what mine looked like.

 

[monstermangraphic]

That magnet is oddly clean. I've never had one be that clean, even with 30k miles oil changes.

Yeah, I think you guys are right. Looking at the picture again, that magnet is way too clean. I'm pretty sure AAMCO cleaned the magnet before taking the picture, even though I had asked for a photo before cleaning.


Oh well. At least the pan itself was photographed and Chris didn't report finding anything concerning.

 

[monstermangraphic]

You must be registered for see images attach

By comparison, mine looked like a miniature hedgehog. Luckily it was fine metal mud, not splinters or chunks.

Yeah, I think you guys are right. Looking at the picture again, that magnet is way too clean. I'm pretty sure AAMCO cleaned the magnet before taking the picture, even though I had asked for a photo before cleaning.

 

[monstermangraphic]

That magnet is oddly clean. I've never had one be that clean, even with 30k miles oil changes.

I agree! AAMCO most likely took the picture after cleaning, even though I had asked them to take it before.

 

[mayhewr]

Hey Guys, Thanks for all your help over the years.

My 2006 Liberty Sport 4WD (3.7L / 42RLE) is approaching 200,000 miles.
The transmission currently works fine: no slipping, no delayed engagement, no harsh shifts, and no codes.

Around 150k miles, a transmission fluid line came loose or failed while driving on the highway. I don't know which line it was or how much fluid was lost, but the Jeep had to be towed and repaired. Since then I've put about 50k miles on it with no transmission-related issues.

I recently acquired an OEM filter, gasket material, and ATF+4. My plan would be a simple pan drop, magnet cleaning, filter replacement, and refill. No flush.

The attached photos shows the current fluid on a paper towel.

Given the mileage, current condition, and history, would you:

• Leave it completely alone?
• Do a pan drop, filter change, magnet cleaning, and ATF+4 refill?

Any advice from those with experience on high-mileage 42RLEs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

I have a 2016 WK and changed the trans fluid at 140K miles.... fca says never change the fluid (!) but the consensus of folks I spoke to said it should be changed around 80K so it was overdue... Since you have the parts, I'd say change it...

 

[monstermangraphic]

I have a 2016 WK and changed the trans fluid at 140K miles.... fca says never change the fluid (!) but the consensus of folks I spoke to said it should be changed around 80K so it was overdue... Since you have the parts, I'd say change it...

I took her out again today about 25 miles and so far so good. Everything's acting normal.