2014 8 SP transmission problem

StickyLifter · Apr 15, 2022

Did you say you were towing a 26ft camper? With a half ton? Fluid temps? Seems like a bit of a load for a 1500 and might not even be legal.

I tow a 20x8.5 enclosed car hauler with my 1500 and the tongue weight has to be perfect or it gets VERY sketchy, so I can't even imagine pulling something even longer. I'd be watching trans temps and looking to get it tuned for higher line pressure. Change that fluid like three times. I'm not kidding. Get whatever your mechanic put in there out and tell dude to google before doing another 8HP70. Good old red ATF don't like the temps that the 8HPs run and that tells me that the fluid for them is a different viscosity.

Leiterterry · Apr 15, 2022

Hey wild one can I get the full name of the attachment you sent me
Thanks

Wild one · Apr 15, 2022

Leiterterry said:
Hey wild one can I get the full name of the attachment you sent me
Thanks

Not sure what you mean. if you mean the picture of the fluid level checking procedure,you got everything that's on the instruction sheet that came with the transmission. The red fluid makes me suspicious he used the wrong fluid,so i'd start with draining the fluid and replacing it with ZF 8/9 speed fluid.Even if he used a supposedly compatiable fluid like Redline,i'd still drain it,as the compatiable Redline fluid has been shown to cause issues with the 8 speeds.If it's a new pan and filter you can probably get away with re-using it,but i'd tip it on it's side so most of the fluid drains out of the filter. I hope he replaced the pan and filter when he did the transmission service,as the filter is part of the transmissions pan,and you have to replace both to get a new filter.

Armkb · Apr 15, 2022

StickyLifter said:
Did you say you were towing a 26ft camper? With a half ton? Fluid temps? Seems like a bit of a load for a 1500 and might not even be legal.

My idiot ahole neighbor tows a 39’ TT over 10.5k lbs unloaded with a 1500 5.7 hemi. Gonna kill himself and his family someday!!

RLJ10X · Apr 16, 2022

^Holy crap!

Leiterterry · Apr 16, 2022

Can I ask a question?
I have a max care warranty on my 2014 ram truck.
My mechanic when he went to change transmission fluid and filter, filled it back up with some kind of red transmission fluid. What he drained out of the transmission was OEM green fluid. I didn't know this. I immediately left for Florida.
I started having problems of slamming gears coming back from Florida, so I took my truck in to the dealership thinking I would use my warranty, but they told me when my mechanic put in red fluid it voided my warranty.
Can I sue him?

Leiterterry · Apr 16, 2022

Sorry, more importantly can I win

Atcer2018 · Apr 17, 2022

Leiterterry said:
Sorry, more importantly can I win

What would you sue the mechanic for? After reading this thread it appears obvious what the lawsuit would be but there are a lot of questions and variables. First question is your transmission broken? There are substitutes for the Mopar 8&9 or Lifeguard 8 fluid. Did the mechanic use a suitable fluid? Say the mechanic used Maxlife. Valvoline says that Maxlife is a suitable fluid in the ZF transmission so the mechanic wouldn’t be at fault since you didn’t specify the fluid to use and Valvoline states it’s a usable fluid. If the mechanic used the wrong fluid then yes you would have a valid suit if in fact your transmission is now ruined. Have you given the mechanic the opportunity to diagnose the problem? Have you got a second opinion from a qualified transmission repair facility? Are you sure the transmission is broken? Could be low on fluid. The transmission is effected by the powertrain computers, both engine and transmission. Has the vehicle actually been diagnosed and what is the problem. Did your mechanic cause the problem? If he did cause the problem then is it repairable? Have you given him a chance to make it right? If the transmission is broken and the mechanic caused the breakdown and you can prove it then yes you can bring a lawsuit and win. Every state is also different and the limits of small claims is subject to individual state laws. Also consider that if the mechanic used a fluid that claims to be suitable for ZF 8 speeds the mechanic will pass the blame off onto the fluid maker who has a army of lawyers on staff. This is where state small claims laws are important. If your state has relatively low limits on small claims like say $500 your transmission is far more expensive so you will not be one on one with a judge in small claims court. In a tort claims suit their army of lawyers will drag it out and make it very expensive for you. Does your factory warranty specify that you can only use OEM fluid? If it doesn’t what happens if the fluid used meets OEM specs? Why is Ram voiding the warranty? My point is who would the lawsuit be against?

Wild one · Apr 17, 2022

Leiterterry said:
Can I ask a question?
I have a max care warranty on my 2014 ram truck.
My mechanic when he went to change transmission fluid and filter, filled it back up with some kind of red transmission fluid. What he drained out of the transmission was OEM green fluid. I didn't know this. I immediately left for Florida.
I started having problems of slamming gears coming back from Florida, so I took my truck in to the dealership thinking I would use my warranty, but they told me when my mechanic put in red fluid it voided my warranty.
Can I sue him?

Buy yourself a Chilton or Haynes manual and some ZF 8/9 speed fluid,and try swapping out the fluid first. Even if you're not mechanically inclined ,it's time you learned how to do some of your own maintence.

https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/repair-manual-vehicle/dodge/ram-1500

Dodge Ram 1500 2009 - 2010 Haynes Repair Manuals & Guides

Detailed repair guides and DIY insights for 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500's maintenance with a Haynes manual.

haynes.com

Leiterterry · Apr 17, 2022

Would a mechanic mix 2 types of fluid in a transmission fluid change?
would a mechanic mix 2 grades of engine oil in a oil change
I am just asking if this mechanic is in right. I would do more of my own maintenance if I didn't have cancer and spinal stenosis also 61years old

Wild one · Apr 17, 2022

Leiterterry said:
Would a mechanic mix 2 types of fluid in a transmission fluid change?
would a mechanic mix 2 grades of engine oil in a oil change
I am just asking if this mechanic is in right. I would do more of my own maintenance if I didn't have cancer and spinal stenosis also 61years old

If you read through a few of the oil threads,you'll find it's not uncommon for guys to mix and match oil visicoties and fluids. The only aftermarket 8 speed fluid that seems to be compatiable with the ZF fluid is Valvoline Maxlife,even though Redline and Amsoil both say they have compatiable 8 speed fluids,both have been known to have issues when used in conjunction with the factory fluid. If your mechanic was trying to save you some money,and used an aftermarket fluid that claims to be compatiable,it's not really his fault,and it'd be hard to hold him liable,anymore then it'd be hard to hold you liable for not specifing you wanted him to use the factory ZF fluid. It's as much on your shoulders for not specifing the fluid you wanted,as it is his shoulders . Sorry for your health issues,but if you have a son or son inlaw,or even a neighbour,see if they'll help you out on normal maintence items.I'm also 61,and do all my own maintence.

Atcer2018 · Apr 17, 2022

Leiterterry said:
Would a mechanic mix 2 types of fluid in a transmission fluid change?
would a mechanic mix 2 grades of engine oil in a oil change
I am just asking if this mechanic is in right. I would do more of my own maintenance if I didn't have cancer and spinal stenosis also 61years old

The answer to your question isn’t cut and dry. Two DIFFERENT types of fluids may not be a good thing but it may not be bad either. Two different brands? Absolutely. Same for oil. Read almost any modern oil bottle and it will clearly state it’s compatible with other oils. Your owners manual says to use 5W20 oil but 5W30 can be used. I’m sure people in super cold places use 0W20 or 0W30 oil too. Mixing different grades of oil isn’t uncommon nor is mixing synthetic with non synthetic. Same goes for some coolants and transmission fluids. Ram/Mopar doesn’t manufacture the transmission fluid. It’s refined per ZF specification under contract with a petroleum company which I believe is Ravenol and they can have it refined by third party companies under license. Once the specifications are known any petroleum company can make a compatible fluid that meets the specs. What that fluid may not have is a certification from the equipment manufacturer saying it’s certified for use in their equipment. Those certifications cost money and the fluid producer isn’t willing to pay for the certification but that doesn’t mean the fluid doesn’t meet the manufactures specifications. This is where the problem comes in. Your mechanic most likely used Valvoline Maxlife ATF which says it’s compatible with ZF 8 speeds but it’s not certified by ZF or licensed by Ravenol. Most people wait till their vehicle is out of warranty to use non OEM fluids to avoid these headaches. There are many Ram owners with ZF transmissions using Maxlife as it’s a fraction of the cost of ZF fluid so to answer your question yes it may be ok to mix fluids but not a good idea if you are still under warranty. Now if your mechanic used something like Dexron3 ATF in your ZF then absolutely no you can’t mix the two fluids. You have to find out what fluid the mechanic used to answer your question.

Leiterterry · May 19, 2022

Could someone elaborate please on a. Bypass valve made by caulk04?
It was stated in one of my reply by jjjefferson thanks

Wild one · May 19, 2022

Leiterterry said:
Could someone elaborate please on a. Bypass valve made by caulk04?
It was stated in one of my reply by jjjefferson thanks

I don't think Jesse/Caulk04 is making them anymore .Here's his thread on it though.

8hp70 heater bypass

Starting this thread to consolidate some information that we've been discussing (https://www.ramforum.com/threads/revmax-8-speed-thermostat-bypass.171776/unread) on the topic of keeping the 8hp70 cooler than stock. Here you'll see the thermostat assembly broken down into its individual...

www.ramforum.com

caulk04 · May 19, 2022

I do currently have 5 in stock...

Leiterterry · Jun 16, 2022

As I said I bought a Max Care warranty for my truck. When my mechanic replaced fluid after a tranny fluid and filter change, he put in Valvoline max life instead of the OEM fluid. Would that be enough to have voided my warranty?

joesstripclub · Jun 17, 2022

Leiterterry said:
As I said I bought a Max Care warranty for my truck. When my mechanic replaced fluid after a tranny fluid and filter change, he put in Valvoline max life instead of the OEM fluid. Would that be enough to have voided my warranty?

Last I checked its an equivalent fluid and isn't certified to the Mopar spec, so any damage could be not covered due to using that fluid. It is very different color and easy to spot as well, the factory fluid is almost clear with a green tint and the max life is a normal red atf color. It's more likely your mechanic didnt follow the proper fill procedure and you are low on fluid. A ton of people are running that fluid so I dont think the fluid is to blame.

2014 8 SP transmission problem

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