I know that this topic has been beaten to death in this NG, but I have it come up again.
A local transmission shop rebuilt the transmission in my 1993 Voyager at 95,000 miles. There were many worn parts. I had hoped to get over a
100,000 miles, but no such luck.When I went to pick it up, I asked what kind of fluid they put in. They told me that they put in Mercon III, with Lube Guard. When I asked them why they didn't put in ATF+3 / 7176, they got very defensive, and showed me the label on the Lubeguard bottle. It says that Lubeguard enchances the fluid so that it exceeds ATF+3 and ATF+4 specs. They also told me that they have never had any problem with the Mercon III / Lubeguard combo.
He also showed me a chart indicating how Lubeguard reduces the acidity way below other fluids. This shop has been in business for more than
23 years that I can remember. They also do warranty repairs for the local Chrysler / Dodge dealerships.Everything I have read in this NG, and allpar says only to use ATF+3 /
7176 for this vehicle.Should I drain the fluid and refill with the correct stuff, or leave it? The transmission repair far exceeded the value of the vehicle, but is in good condition otherwise, and I do not wish to buy a newer van at this time.
I am hoping to recoup my investment by getting another year or two of use from this van
The only thing that makes me concered, is that this same van was in the same shop in January 2006 at 89,000. At that time, they replaced the ignition switch as the solenoid pack was not always getting power. At that time, I had them service the transmission which meant a fluid change. They most likely put in the same fluid. Could this fluid have cause the death of the transmission over the next 6,000 miles?
Prior to this time, the fluid had always been changed at the closest Chrysler / Dodge dealership. They most likely used ATF+3.
Thanks for reading,
Kirk Matheson