NV4500 transmission fluid problem

Chewy1576 · Apr 2, 2016

Hey all,

Last year when I had an NV4500 swapped in place of the SM465, I'm fairly certain the shop I had do the work filled the NV4500 with ATF. There is pretty apparent rattling and gear noise at idle and the shifting is terrible. I have 4 quarts of Amsoil MTG ready to pour in. Is any residual ATF in the transmission going to cause any problems with the new correct fluid?

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someotherguy · Apr 2, 2016

Who says Amsoil MTG is correct? (Besides Amsoil, that is.)

Why not use the correct specified fluid, GM's Synthetic Transmission Lubricant p/n 12346190 ?

Yes, it's a few more bucks per quart than Amsoil's product, but it is THE correct fluid.

Hate to say it but more than likely the transmission has already suffered some damage. ATF is way, way WAY too low viscosity for this application, plus the additive package is all wrong.

As far as residual fluid goes, drain it as long as humanly possible and you should be fine. A small amount of it leftover is unlikely to cause any more new problems.

Richard

Chewy1576 · Apr 2, 2016

I read through opinions of others that run it in their Cummins-powered trucks and have success with it. There are some that don't like it, and some that feel it performs as well as the Dodge or GM recommended fluids. I can't say price wasn't a factor. It may or may not be a direct replacement, but we can both agree it is substantially better than ATF right? I agree that there has probably been some damage, but hopefully it is minimal as isn't a daily driver, just occasionally here and there, and no towing yet. I was going to leave the PTO drain bolt out for as long as I could to drain as much fluid as possible before refilling.

RyanMerrick · Apr 2, 2016

The NV4500 was used in multiple non-GM applications. I'm certain there are options available that will work just as good as GM's product....

someotherguy · Apr 2, 2016

Yeah. GM's, and Mopar's fluid...both of which are the same thing; re-labeled Castrol Syntorq LT which was formulated specifically for the NV4500. But it's cool; go ahead and suggest someone gamble with a trans that costs a grand+ to rebuild.

Richard

burnhedge · Apr 2, 2016

I've always bent over and bought the GM product just to be safe.
About 10 years I had the nv4500 rebuilt in a dodge. The trans shop put Amsoil in it. They added a year to the 3 yr warranty after I had a hissy fit. I put another 120,000 miles on the truck over the next 5 or 6 yrs and never had any problems. Still worked flawlessly when I sold it.

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someotherguy · Apr 3, 2016

With a rebuilt NV4500, the need for the specific fluid is possibly diminished - and you're likely safe as long as you use a very similar fluid in terms of viscosity and additives. The key with the Syntorq LT is that it was designed to protect the carbon-fiber synchronizers the NV4500 came with, which were used to help reduce the heavy "truck" shift feel these types of transmissions would otherwise have.

Once it's been rebuilt, at least in the last several years, AFAIK those carbon-fiber synchronizers are no longer available and generally get replaced with bronze. The CF -may- be available from some sources but I think in general most people go with bronze.

Richard

Chewy1576 · Apr 3, 2016

burnhedge · Apr 3, 2016

someotherguy said:
With a rebuilt NV4500, the need for the specific fluid is possibly diminished - and you're likely safe as long as you use a very similar fluid in terms of viscosity and additives. The key with the Syntorq LT is that it was designed to protect the carbon-fiber synchronizers the NV4500 came with, which were used to help reduce the heavy "truck" shift feel these types of transmissions would otherwise have.

Once it's been rebuilt, at least in the last several years, AFAIK those carbon-fiber synchronizers are no longer available and generally get replaced with bronze. The CF -may- be available from some sources but I think in general most people go with bronze.

Richard

Good info. Glad to know that since my 92 chevy will need a rebuild soon.

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someotherguy · Apr 3, 2016

burnhedge said:
Good info. Glad to know that since my 92 chevy will need a rebuild soon.

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Since it's going to be apart, look into the 5th gear nut fix solutions that are available, save yourself some potential misery later.

Richard

NV4500 transmission fluid problem

Chewy1576

I'm Awesome

someotherguy

Truly Awesome

Chewy1576

I'm Awesome

RyanMerrick

8 Lug

someotherguy

Truly Awesome

burnhedge

I'm Awesome

someotherguy

Truly Awesome

Chewy1576

I'm Awesome

burnhedge

I'm Awesome

someotherguy

Truly Awesome

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