www.iFourWinns.com

Gents,

I am going through the various components that require fluid and changing it. (Power Steering, Trim/Tilt, etc). I know what brand/type of fluid to use in all of the components except for the Bennett v351 Trim Tabs. The manual says "use ANY type of ATF fluid". Thinking this might be a generic statement used in all of their printed manuals, I contacted Bennett via email and asked them for a recommendation of ATF 3 or ATF +4. Their email said "Really, use ANY type of ATF, you can even mix them".

Now, being a gear head hobbyist, this really does not set well with me. I have seen what happens to transmissions that used the wrong type of ATF (especially Dodge trannys ... it isn't pretty). Granted, there aren't as many moving parts in the HSU as a tranny, but I'm still wary.

What have y'all (beautiful word) used? I tend to prefer synthetic due to it's extended wear properties.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

The trim tab system is just a hydraulic pump and cylinders it's not complicated and doesn't require a specific type of ATF. The reason transmissions (especially Mopars) are so fluid specific is because of the clutch pack material and the types of torque converters used.

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Brett DiMichele

Well said Brett !

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Mopar ATF +4 it is. (I always have a few quarts on hand).

Thanks,
Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

You can't even add fluid to the transmission in my 300C (Mercedes 5 speed) it too is an ATF+4 transmission but there is no transmission dip stick just a plug on the filler tube that reads "For Dealership use ONLY"

Gotta love it!

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Brett DiMichele

Well at least you avoid the colossal headache of getting just the right amount of tranny fluid into the tranny. I did a tranny service on my truck after pulling the boat back from CO. Put on an after-market aluminum (deeper) tranny pan. Took me longer to fill the d*** thing than it did to replace the filter, adjust the bands and install the new pan. What a frickin joke. Some dork mechanical engineer is laughing at the process one goes through to put the right amount of fluid in. Fill it up, BUT NOT TOO MUCH. Warm it up ... OH NO, not enough fluid. Add a quart ... OH MY GOD ... too much fluid. Drain off a half quart, check the dipstick ... JESUS ... not enough fluid. Add back 1/4 quart, pull the dipstick ... TOO FULL.

There has got be an easier way for Dodge/Mopar to get their poop together on this. For instance ... adding a cold fill line, like my wife's Nissan.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Craig,

That had me rolling on the floor laughing out loud!

A cold fill line? What a novel concept!

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Brett DiMichele