What ATF do you use?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
with the car in the air enough & i had a small 3/8 ratchet. i basically laid under under the trans then reached my hand up & around to the top two bolts. getting about 1/6 of a turn at a time, i backed them out about 1/3", the same as the rest - just backed them out a bit instead of removing them. then i took a couple thick flat-blade screw drivers and pried about 1/4" gap open and then ran the RTV around the contact surfaces.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ON
"I have a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe with the stock 6-speed manual transmission. I was wondering if you recommend using your Pennzoil Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid in this transmission? Will it degrade the paper blocker rings in the transmission? If this is not compatible, what would you recommend?"
This was their response:
"We do not recommend our Pennzoil Synchromesh Fluid in your 1998 Chevrolet Corvette 6 speed Manual Transmission Fluid. Your manual transmission synchronizers and gears were not design for a gear lube type of fluid. A Dexron ATF is the correct fluid for your transmission. You could use a synthetic Dexron ATF ."
At this point I don't know who to trust. I think I'll just be going to the dealer and putting in Dexron VI from GM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
I contacted Pennzoil technical support and asked them the following question:
"I have a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe with the stock 6-speed manual transmission. I was wondering if you recommend using your Pennzoil Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid in this transmission? Will it degrade the paper blocker rings in the transmission? If this is not compatible, what would you recommend?"
This was their response:
"We do not recommend our Pennzoil Synchromesh Fluid in your 1998 Chevrolet Corvette 6 speed Manual Transmission Fluid. Your manual transmission synchronizers and gears were not design for a gear lube type of fluid. A Dexron ATF is the correct fluid for your transmission. You could use a synthetic Dexron ATF ."
At this point I don't know who to trust. I think I'll just be going to the dealer and putting in Dexron VI from GM.
"I have a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe with the stock 6-speed manual transmission. I was wondering if you recommend using your Pennzoil Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid in this transmission? Will it degrade the paper blocker rings in the transmission? If this is not compatible, what would you recommend?"
This was their response:
"We do not recommend our Pennzoil Synchromesh Fluid in your 1998 Chevrolet Corvette 6 speed Manual Transmission Fluid. Your manual transmission synchronizers and gears were not design for a gear lube type of fluid. A Dexron ATF is the correct fluid for your transmission. You could use a synthetic Dexron ATF ."
At this point I don't know who to trust. I think I'll just be going to the dealer and putting in Dexron VI from GM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ON
GM no longer sells Dexron III, and the variances of information I've read on this forum don't make me comfortable to just change it up with something else. One guys says he uses "X" oil and it's great, the next guy uses "X" and it screwed up his tranny. "Y" is required but no longer made, but GM says "W" replaces "Y" but then there are people of industry who build trannies for a living and they say "Y" is no good because of whatever reasons. Dexron VI it is for me. As an engineer myself, I trust the engineers at GM.
http://www.archivedsites.com/techlin...ink_May_09.pdf
http://www.archivedsites.com/techlin...ink_May_09.pdf
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
GM no longer sells Dexron III, and the variances of information I've read on this forum don't make me comfortable to just change it up with something else. One guys says he uses "X" oil and it's great, the next guy uses "X" and it screwed up his tranny. "Y" is required but no longer made, but GM says "W" replaces "Y" but then there are people of industry who build trannies for a living and they say "Y" is no good because of whatever reasons. Dexron VI it is for me. As an engineer myself, I trust the engineers at GM.
http://www.archivedsites.com/techlin...ink_May_09.pdf
http://www.archivedsites.com/techlin...ink_May_09.pdf
if you have paper blocker rings valvoline makes a nice conventional dex3 you can get at any auto parts store
i wouldn't overthink this. just get what the sticker on the side of the transmission calls for
it's the newer transmissions that really get the discussions going. i use redline, lot of guys like amsoil, tons of choices.
however, if i owned a paper trans it would be plain ole conventional dex 3.
this fluid is spec'd for vehicles requiring dex3. it's usually 4.99 a quart at orileys or autozone.
Last edited by racebum; Sep 12, 2013 at 01:23 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ON
there is a difference between dex3 and dex6. some of the off road cherokee guys i know have fried transmissions trying dex6 in the trans that says dex3 on the side. is that apples and oranges? got me but both the vette and cherokee have dex3 stamped on the side
if you have paper blocker rings valvoline makes a nice conventional dex3 you can get at any auto parts store
i wouldn't overthink this. just get what the sticker on the side of the transmission calls for
it's the newer transmissions that really get the discussions going. i use redline, lot of guys like amsoil, tons of choices.
however, if i owned a paper trans it would be plain ole conventional dex 3.
Valvoline (VV353-6PK) DEXRON/MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart, (Case of 6) : Amazon.com : Automotive
this fluid is spec'd for vehicles requiring dex3. it's usually 4.99 a quart at orileys or autozone.
if you have paper blocker rings valvoline makes a nice conventional dex3 you can get at any auto parts store
i wouldn't overthink this. just get what the sticker on the side of the transmission calls for
it's the newer transmissions that really get the discussions going. i use redline, lot of guys like amsoil, tons of choices.
however, if i owned a paper trans it would be plain ole conventional dex 3.
Valvoline (VV353-6PK) DEXRON/MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart, (Case of 6) : Amazon.com : Automotive
this fluid is spec'd for vehicles requiring dex3. it's usually 4.99 a quart at orileys or autozone.
*edit* after reading the bulletin more closely, there is an exception to the use of Dexron in GM Manual Transmissions where Dexron III was formerly required. It appears that there is a specific Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid that GM recommends. Therefore, GM is saying that you should NOT put Dexron VI in the transmission! Wow.
Last edited by 5.3Avalanche; Sep 12, 2013 at 06:06 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Pardon my ignorance, but why does a Chrysler product use Dexron III? Shouldn't it use Chrysler's fluid known as ATF+4? Also, I don't think myself or others who are confused are over-thinking anything. It's just that there is a lot of conflicting information on this forum about what fluid to use, which makes a seemingly simple decision fairly complicated. If so, why would GM completely stop manufacturing Dexron III and replace it with their new fluid if the new fluid would harm the transmission? I just don't understand why you guys think that Dexron VI will harm the transmission, when GM is very clear in stating that it developed Dexron VI to be backwards compatible. The tech document I posted above is a very good read.
*edit* after reading the bulletin more closely, there is an exception to the use of Dexron in GM Manual Transmissions where Dexron III was formerly required. It appears that there is a specific Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid that GM recommends. Therefore, GM is saying that you should NOT put Dexron VI in the transmission! Wow.
*edit* after reading the bulletin more closely, there is an exception to the use of Dexron in GM Manual Transmissions where Dexron III was formerly required. It appears that there is a specific Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid that GM recommends. Therefore, GM is saying that you should NOT put Dexron VI in the transmission! Wow.
you found exactly what i was talking about. dex6 works in dex3 apps SOMETIMES but there are enough exceptions that i never even guess. since dex3 is available if that's the sticker on the trans, that's what goes in
there may be other good conventional dex 3 fluids on the market but that valvoline dex/merc is a dex 3 and available at local auto parts stores. as you have noticed dex6 is easier to find and not always something you want to use