2001 Durango R/T with 46re trans. Changed the fluid to Amsoil synthetic two years ago (or was it three?), at about 65,000 miles (*I think*). The magnet had a lot of powder on it, so I figure the fluid hadn't been changed since new (bought it with 50,000 on it).

So I'm getting set to put a new aluminum pan on it (more capacity, drain plug, and temp sender hole) and the magnet has more stuff on it again. Maybe not as much as last time, but definitely more than I would expect after 15 or 20K miles.
It shifts fine, doesn't slip (well, maybe just a little going up a hill while in OD at just over 35 mph), doesn't rev between shifts, doesn't come out of TC lockup when it shouldn't. However, the fluid still had a red tint to it, with a hint of brown, and admittedly, it did smell a little burnt.

No chips or filings, just powder. Will a band adjustment and new fluid take care of it?

(BTW, the new pan doesn't fit because of the 3" exhaust system, so back to the exhaust shop. Not necessary just for the new pan, but because I had to drop the trans x-member to get the old pan out also. )

As always, TIA.
-Marq

FWIW, according to Consumer Reports, Dodge Durango auto transmission longevity was a hit and miss, at least during the first generation years of the Durango.

The look/color/smell of the fluid doesn't mean much. The only real way to tell the overall condition of the fluid is to send a sample to a lab like THIS one.

The cost of the lab test may save you from throwing out and replacing good trans fluid.

Your fluid should last at least 50,000-miles in severe duty use.

Lastly, Chrysler issued a technical service bulletin stating that anytime a 1992 or newer Chrysler built automatic transmission is "serviced" including fluid changes, the TCM flash memory should be reprogrammed. This is also known as the quick learn procedure which requires the use of a DRBIII scan tool and scan tool cartridge.

Amsoil recommends to follow this Chrysler transmission service procedure when changing trans fluids for optimum performance.

Check out this Amsoil TSB for more.

The cost of the fluid (though not trivial) doesn't bother me as much as the hassle of changing it. I did take a sample of the fluid that came out to send to the analysis company my local Amsoil dealer uses (www.analaboratories.com [viewable only with IE, apparently]). So we'll see in a couple of weeks what's what.

Also, FWIW, the last fluid change did fix the problem of the TC occasionally going in and out of lockup. Maybe it was the Amsoil that did it, or perhaps just clean fluid, but either way, it worked.

Thanks for TSB reference.

When first had the ATF changed on my 46RH at 18,000 miles in 1996 the pan magnet had a lot of material sticking to it,
and I was a bit worried,
but that transmission went on to last 200,000 miles before being rebuilt last year.

Most likely the torque converter is shedding metal. The converters in those units are beer cans.

MB