2006 DODGE RAM SRT-10 check oil

FLUID AND FILTER
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
EFFECTS OF INCORRECT FLUID LEVEL
Alowfluidlevelallowsthepumptotakeinairalongwiththefluid.Airinthe fluid will cause fluid pressures to be
low and develop slower than normal. If the transmission is overfilled, thegears churn the fluid into foam. This aer-
ates the fluid and causing the same conditions occurring with a low level. In either case, air bubbles cause fluid
overheating, oxidation, and varnish buildup which interferes with valveand clutch operation. Foaming also causes
fluid expansion which can result in fluid overflow from the transmission vent or fill tube. Fluid overflow can easily be
mistaken for a leak if inspection is not careful.
CAUSES OF BURNT FLUID
Burnt, discolored fluid is a result of overheating which has three primarycauses.
1. Internal clutch slippage, usually caused by low line pressure, inadequate clutch apply pressure, or clutch seal
failure.
2. A result of restricted fluid flow through the main and/or auxiliary cooler. This condition is usually the result of a
faulty or improperly installed drainback valve, a damaged oil cooler, or severe restrictions in the coolers and lines
caused by debris or kinked lines.
3. Heavy duty operation with a vehicle not properly equipped for this type of operation. Trailer towing or similar high
load operation will overheat the transmission fluid if the vehicle is improperly equipped. Such vehicles should
have an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler, a heavy duty cooling system,and the engine/axle ratio combination
needed to handle heavy loads.
FLUID CONTAMINATION
Transmission fluid contamination is generally a result of:
adding incorrect fluid
failure to clean dipstick and fill tube when checking level
engine coolant entering the fluid
internal failure that generates debris
overheat that generates sludge (fluid breakdown)
failure to replace contaminated converter after repair
The use of non-recommended fluids can result in transmission failure. Theusual results are erratic shifts, slippage,
abnormal wear and eventual failure due to fluid breakdown and sludge formation. Avoid this condition by using rec-
ommended fluids only.
The dipstick cap and fill tube should be wiped clean before checking fluid level. Dirt, grease and other foreign mate-
rial on the cap and tube could fall into the tube if not removed beforehand. Take the time to wipe the cap and tube
clean before withdrawing the dipstick.
Engine coolant in the transmission fluid is generally caused by a cooler malfunction. The only remedy is to replace
the radiator as the cooler in the radiator is not a serviceable part. If coolant has circulated through the transmission,
an overhaul is necessary.
The torque converter should also be replaced whenever a failure generatessludge and debris. This is necessary
because normal converter flushing procedures will not remove all contaminants.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Low fluid level can cause a variety of conditions because it allows the pumpto take in air along with the fluid. As
in any hydraulic system, air bubbles make the fluid spongy, therefore, pressures will be low and build up slowly.
Improper filling can also raise the fluid level too high. When the transmssion has too much fluid, the geartrain
churns up foam and cause the same conditions which occur with a low fluid level.

In either case, air bubbles can cause overheating and/or fluid oxidation,and varnishing. This can interfere with nor-
mal valve, clutch, and accumulator operation. Foaming can also result in fluid escaping from the transmission vent
where it may be mistaken for a leak.
After the fluid has been checked, seat the dipstick fully to seal out water and dirt.
The transmission has a dipstick to check oil level. It is located on the right side of the engine. Be sure to wipe all
dirt from dipstick handle before removing.
The torque converter fills in both the P(PARK) and N (NEUTRAL) positions. Place the selector lever in P (PARK)
to be sure that the fluid level check is accurate.The engine should be running at idle speed for at least one
minute, with the vehicle on level ground.At normal operating temperature (approximately 82° C. or 180° F), the
fluid level is correct if it is in the HOT region (cross-hatched area) on theoil level indicator. The fluid level will be
approximately at the upper COLD hole of the dipstick at 21° C (70° F) fluid temperature.
NOTE: Engine and Transmission should be at normal operating temperature before performing this proce-
dure.
1. Start engine and apply parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission into DRIVE for approximately 2 seconds.
3. Shift the transmission into REVERSE for approximately 2 seconds.
4. Shift the transmission into PARK.
5. Hook up scan tool andselect transmission.
6. Select sensors.
7. Read the transmission temperature value.
8. Compare the fluid temperature value with the chart.
9. Adjust transmission fluid level shown on the dipstick according to the Transmission Fluid Temperature Chart.
NOTE: After adding any fluid to the transmission, wait a minimum of 2 minutes for the oil to fully drain from
the fill tube into the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
10. Check transmission for leaks.

INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The primary oil filter seal MUST be fully
installed flush against the oil pump body. DO NOT
install the seal onto the filter neck and attempt to
install the filter and seal as an assembly. Damage
to the transmission will result.
1. If necessary, install a new primary oil filter seal in
the oil pump inlet bore. Seat the seal in the bore
with a suitable tool (appropriately sized drift or
socket, the butt end of a hammer, or other suitable
tool).
2. Place replacement filter in position on valve body
and into the oil pump.
3. Install screw to hold the primary oil filter (1) to
valve body. Tighten screw to 4.5 Nꞏm (40 in. lbs.)
torque.
4. Install new cooler return filter (2) onto the transmission, if necessary. Torque the filter to 9.5 Nꞏm (7 ft.lbs.).
5. Place bead of Mopar
RTV sealant onto the transmission case sealing surface.
6. Place pan in position on transmission.
7. Install bolts to hold pan to transmission. Tighten bolts to 12 Nꞏm (105 in. lbs.) torque.
8. Lower vehicle and fill transmission with MOPAR
AT F + 4 .
TRANSMISSION FILL
To avoid overfilling transmission after a fluid change or overhaul, perform the following procedure:
1. Remove dipstick and insert clean funnel in transmission fill tube.
2. Add following initial quantity of Mopar
ATF+4totransmission:
a. If only fluid and filter were changed, add10 pints (5 quarts)of ATF +4 to transmission.
b. If transmission was completely overhauled and the torque converter wasreplaced or drained, add24 pints
(12 quarts)ofATF+4totransmission.
3. Check the transmission fluid (Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/AUTOMATIC - RFE/FLUID - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE) and adjust as required.

OPERATION
As the torque converter rotates, the converter hub rotates the oil pump drive gear. As the drive gear rotates both
driven gears, a vacuum is created when the gear teeth come out of mesh. This suction draws fluid through the
pump inlet from the oil pan. As the gear teeth come back into mesh, pressurized fluid is forced into the pump outlet
and to the oil pump valves.
At low speeds, both sides of the pump supply fluid to the transmission. As the speed of the torque converter
increases, the flow from both sides increases until the flow from the primary side alone is sufficient to meet system
demands. At this point, the check valve located between the two pumps closes. The secondary side is shut down
and the primary side supplies all the fluid to the transmission.
CONVERTER CLUTCH SWITCH VALVE
The converter clutch switch valve is used to control the hydraulic pressure supplied to the front (OFF) side of the
torque converter clutch.
CONVERTER CLUTCH REGULATOR VALVE
The converter clutch regulator valve is used to control the hydraulic pressure supplied to the back (ON) side of the
torque converter clutch.
TORQUE CONVERTER LIMIT VALVE
The torque converter limit valve serves to limit the available line pressure to the torque converter clutch.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - OIL PUMP VOLUME CHECK
Measuring the oil pump output volume will determine if sufficient oil flowto the transmission oil cooler exists, and
whether or not an internal transmission failure is present.
Verify that the transmission fluid is at the proper level. Refer to the Fluid Level Check procedure in this section. If
necessary, fill the transmission to the proper level with Mopar
ATF +4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
1. Disconnect theTo coolerline at the cooler inlet and place a collecting container under the disconnected line.
CAUTION: With the fluid set at the proper level, fluid collection should not exceed (1) quart or internal dam-
age to the transmission may occur.
2. Run the engineat 1800 rpm, with the shift selector in neutral. Verify that the transmission fluid temperature is
below 104.5° C (220° F) for this test.
3. If one quart of transmission fluid is collected in the container in 30 seconds or less, oil pump flow volume is
within acceptable limits. If fluid flow is intermittent, or it takes more than 30 seconds to collect one quart of fluid,
refer to the Hydraulic Pressure tests in this section for further diagnosis.
4. Re-connect theTo c o o l e rline to the transmission cooler inlet.
5. Refill the transmission to proper level.

INSPECTION
Check condition of the seal rings and thrust washer on the reaction shaft support. The seal rings do not need to be
replaced unless cracked, broken, or severely worn.
Inspect the pump and support components. Replace the pump or support if theseal ring grooves or machined sur-
faces are worn, scored, pitted, or damaged. Replace the pump gears if pitted, worn chipped, or damaged.
Inspect the pump reaction shaft support bushings. Replace either bushingonly if heavily worn, scored or damaged.
It is not necessary to replace the bushings unless they are actually damaged.
Inspect the valves and plugs for scratches, burrs, nicks, or scores. Minorsurface scratches on steel valves and
plugs can be removed with crocus cloth butdo not round off the edges of the valve or plug lands.Maintaining
sharpness of these edges is vitally important. The edges prevent foreign matter from lodging between the valves
and plugs and the bore.
Inspect all the valve and plug bores in the oil pump cover. Use a penlight to view the bore interiors. Replace the oil
pump if any bores are distorted or scored. Inspect all of the valve springs.The springs must be free of distortion,
warpageorbrokencoils.
Trial fit each valve and plug in its bore to check freedom of operation. Whenclean and dry, the valves and plugs
shoulddropfreelyintothebores.
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: Clean and inspect all components. Make sure that all passages are thoroughly cleaned and are free
from dirt or debris. Make sure that all valves move freely in their proper bore. Make sure that all gear pock-
ets and bushings are free from excessive wear and scoring. Replace the oil pump if any excessive wear or
scoring is found.
1. Install the T/C regulator valve (1), T/C limit valve
(2), and regulator valve (3).

4. Separate the torque converter from the transmission.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Check converter hub and drive flats for sharp edges, burrs, scratches, or nicks. Polish the hub and
flats with 320/400 grit paper or crocus cloth if necessary. Verify that theconverter hub o-ring is properly
installed and is free from debris. The hub must be smooth to avoid damaging the pump seal at installation.
1. Lubricate oil pump seal lip with transmission fluid.
2. Place torque converter in position on transmission.
CAUTION: Do not damage oil pump seal or con-
verter hub o-ring while inserting torque converter
into the front of the transmission.
3. Align torque converter to oil pump seal opening.
4. Insert torque converter hub into oil pump.
5. While pushing torque converter inward, rotate con-
verter until converter is fully seated in the oil pump
gears.
6. Check converter seating with a scale (1) and
straightedge (2). Surface of converter lugs should
be at least 13 mm (1/2 in.) to rear of straightedge
when converter is fully seated.
7. If necessary, temporarily secure converter with
C-clamp attached to the converter housing.
8. Install the transmission in the vehicle.
9. Fill the transmission with the recommended fluid.

INSPECTION
Inspect all of the valve body mating surfaces for scratches, nicks, burrs,or distortion. Use a straightedge to check
surface flatness. Minor scratches may be removed with crocus cloth using only very light pressure.
Minor distortion of a valve body mating surface may be corrected by smoothing the surface with a sheet of crocus
cloth. Position the crocus cloth on a surface plate, sheet of plate glass orequally flat surface. If distortion is severe
or any surfaces are heavily scored, the valve body will have to be replaced.
Inspect the valves and plugs for scratches, burrs, nicks, or scores. Minorsurface scratches on steel valves and
plugs can be removed with crocus cloth butdo not round off the edges of the valve or plug lands.Maintaining
sharpness of these edges is vitally important. The edges prevent foreign matter from lodging between the valves
and plugs and the bore.
Inspect all the valve and plug bores in the valve body. Use a penlight to viewthe bore interiors. Replace the valve
body if any bores are distorted or scored. Inspect all of the valve body springs. The springs must be free of dis-
tortion, warpage or broken coils.
Trial fit each valve and plug in its bore to check freedom of operation. Whenclean and dry, the valves and plugs
shoulddropfreelyintothebores.
Valve body bores do not change dimensionally with use. If the valve body functioned correctly when new, it will
continue to operate properly after cleaning and inspection. It should notbe necessary to replace a valve body
assembly unless it is damaged in handling.
Inspect all the accumulator bores in the valve body. Use a penlight to view the bore interiors. Replace the valve
body if any bores are distorted or scored. Inspect all of the accumulator springs. The springs must be free of dis-
tortion, warpage or broken coils.
Valve Body Components
1 - LOW/REVERSE ACCUMULATOR 6 - OVERDRIVE ACCUMULATOR
2 - LOW/REVERSE SWITCH VALVE 7 - UNDERDRIVE ACCUMULATOR
3 - UPPER VALVE BODY 8 - 4C ACCUMULATOR
4 - MANUAL VALVE 9 - 2C ACCUMULATOR
5 - SOLENOID SWITCH VALVE

INSTALLATION
1. Check condition of seals on valve body and the
solenoid and pressure switch assembly. Replace
seals if cut or worn.
2. Place TRS selector plate in the PARK position.
3. Place the transmission in the PARK position.
4. Lubricate seal on the solenoid and pressure switch
assembly connector with petroleum jelly.
5. Position valve body in transmission and align the
manual lever on the valve body to the pin on the
transmission manual shift lever.
6. Seat valve body in case and install one or two
bolts to hold valve body in place.
7. Tighten valve body bolts alternately and evenly to
12 Nꞏm (105 in. lbs.) torque.
CAUTION: The primary oil filter seal MUST be fully
installed flush against the oil pump body. DO NOT
install the seal onto the filter neck and attempt to
install the filter and seal as an assembly. Damage
to the transmission will result.
8. Install a new primary oil filter seal in the oil pump
inlet bore. Seat the seal in the bore with the butt
end of a hammer, or other suitable tool.
9. Place replacement filter (1) in position on valve
body and into the oil pump.
10. Install screw to hold filter to valve body. Tighten
screw to 4.5 Nꞏm (40 in. lbs.) torque.
11. Connect the solenoid and pressure switch assem-
bly connector.
12. Install oil pan. Tighten pan bolts to 12 Nꞏm (105 in. lbs.) torque.
13. Lower vehicle and fill transmission with Mopar
AT F + 4 .
14. Check and adjust gearshift cable, if necessary.