Changing fluids other than oil.....Need Advice (Viper Wizard or Anyone)

[pocketAA]

I purchased my car in April of 2006, it is a 1999 RT/10 with 6500 miles on it. Since I am not quite what fluids the last owner changed, could someone tell me what I should change this coming spring; such as, tranny fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc. Are there any parts on the car that should be replaced that might need the maintenance?

Also, my car seems to idle very rough, is this normal for a 99 or is there something I should be worried about?

Thanks!

 

[Neil - UK]

clutch fluid is easy, **** out the reservoir replace with new Dot4 fluid then pump the clutch for 30 seconds, repeat twice or thrice

straight from the Wizard

if it was me I'd change all the fluids, then you know your starting a-fresh

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I would change all the fluids and replace the plugs and wires. The previous owner may have figured there was no need to replace anything since the miles are low. But the age is getting up there and the wires and fluids will deteriorate whether the car is driven or not.

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

What Chuck said..For what it costs you know it is all done and clean...
Dont forget the fuel filter..

There is a date on the wires if they are stock...

 

[Steve-Indy]

...what Chuck and Baz said...only, I would do it NOW. Coolant is a major worry...as is brake fluid in terms of damage through neglect.

 

[grcforce327]

What Chuck,Baz ,and Steve said....only,I would have already done it yesterday!

 

[Viper Wizard]

Transmission: 4qts 75W-85 #4874459 MSRP $19.25 per qt

Diff: 2qts 75W-140 #4874469 MSRP $25.95 per qt AND 4oz diff additive #4318060AB MSRP $7.25

Power steering: 1qt #4883077 MSRP $5.25

Master & Clutch: DOT4 HD b/fluid [1qt should do it]

CAN NOT ship fluids! You'll have to get it from your local Dealer.

 

[onerareviper]

clutch fluid is easy, **** out the reservoir replace with new Dot4 fluid then pump the clutch for 30 seconds, repeat twice or thrice

straight from the Wizard

if it was me I'd change all the fluids, then you know your starting a-fresh

1.) So there is no need to open the bleed screw on the clutch slave cylinder?

2.) I assume during pumping, the old fluid in the lines will surface/mix with new, hence the repeating twice or thrice. Correct?

Thanks in advance. I need to change my clutch fluid.

 

[RAYSIR]

You talk of rough idle. My 1st time in a Viper I thought it had a bad miss. Real bad at idle. Took a while to get used to Normal!!! LOL

 

[pocketAA]

Hey chuck,
How much should it cost to change the following fluids in the Viper at a dealership?
Transmission, Differential, Power steering, Master/Clutch

Also, thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[slaughterj]

Check out my chart for fluids from the 98 service manual, likely the same for your 99:

http://www.yandros.com/Viper/ViperFluids.htm

 

[pocketAA]

Slaughter, that is very helpful, but I wanted to know what the cost would be at a dealership to perform the maintenance. Chuck, whenever you get a free minute, could you give me a rough quote. Thanks again.

 

[Viper Wizard]

Hey chuck,
How much should it cost to change the following fluids in the Viper at a dealership?
Transmission, Differential, Power steering, Master/Clutch

Also, thanks for the replies everyone.

You do need to take the belly pan off to do the trans. All those fluids, about an hour & half. I am at $98 per hrs.

 

[Neil - UK]

clutch fluid is easy, **** out the reservoir replace with new Dot4 fluid then pump the clutch for 30 seconds, repeat twice or thrice

straight from the Wizard

if it was me I'd change all the fluids, then you know your starting a-fresh

1.) So there is no need to open the bleed screw on the clutch slave cylinder?

2.) I assume during pumping, the old fluid in the lines will surface/mix with new, hence the repeating twice or thrice. Correct?

Thanks in advance. I need to change my clutch fluid.

1. no need to open the bleed valve using this method, just remove everything from the reservoir

2. yes your correct, repeating thrice will get nearly all the old fluid out
only a small amount of Dot4 is needed, i use a big syringe to remove/replace the fluid and a thick blanket to cover everything up just incase i spill a bit

 

[Steve-Indy]

pocketAA, in Central Indiana we have seen bills for a "total fluid change" ranging from $600 to over $1200.00+ depending on the dealership...noting that the above quotes include the systhetic fluids where appropriate...and the work is done by a Viper Tech. Fortunately, our Regional VCA Officers have been able to facilite a "VCA package" at three of the "Viper friendly" dealerships...and most of our members are pleased with same.

Sadly, there are far too many Vipers that are grossly under-maintained (if not flatly neglected) in my opinion. Ultimately this group will "pay the price" with component damage, and in some cases, component failure that generally costs BIG BUCKS to repair...typical case of "penny wise and pound foolish" in my opinion.

By the way, it costs me a little over $200.00 to do it myself on our Vipers.

 

[pocketAA]

Just wondering, if would pick up a Service Manual for a 99 RT/10 would that describe the steps I would need to take to change the following fluids:

Transmission, Differential, Power steering, Master/Clutch

 

[Steve-Indy]

Yes...but, admittedly, some of us cheat a little on the P.S. fluid by using the suction out-refill-suction-out-etc. method described here by Janni and Henry Cone several years ago...thereby avoiding the potential breaking the P.S. fluid return line "port" where it enters the P.S. reservoir...as has happened to a few folks.

Yes...but, admittedly, some of us cheat a little on the P.S. fluid by using the suction out-refill-suction-out-etc. method described here by Janni and Henry Cone several years ago...thereby avoiding the potential breaking the P.S. fluid return line "port" where it enters the P.S. reservoir...as has happened to a few folks.

Here's Janni's post:

http://www4.forum.viperclub.org/showflat...true#Post348505

By my recollection, in after two full exchanges as described, about 95 % of the P.S. is exchanged.

Here is my recent post in the Gen III section:

"I have been happy with the fluid exchange method: with car on a mid-rise lift (wheels all off the ground) **** P.S. reservoir down, refill with fluid...start engine and rotate steering wheel slowly lock-to-lock about 4-6 cycles...stop enging, **** our P.S. reservoir, refill etc., going through the whole business TWO MORE TIMES...then refill and call it finished...all of which was initially described by Janni and Henry Cone several years ago !!! I change P.S. fluid every 2-3 years in ALL of our Vipers."

 

[pocketAA]

So the Service Manual will tell me how to change all of the following
Transmission, Differential, Power steering, Master/Clutch

Correct?
Is there anything else that I might need to know, granted, I have never done any work on a car before, at least nothing in depth. Is the Service manual detailed enough for a novice to understand? I really do not want to pay $500-1000 to get these changed.

Thanks

 

[Steve-Indy]

The service manual DOES NOT give a step-by-step, detailed explanation on the procedures...the manuals assume a given level of experience...in fact, many steps are left out...and there are many inaccuracies as wlll as incorrect illustrations (often a failure to update from a Gen I illustration to a Gen II) through ALL of the manuals 92-06...yes, I have them all). It is a shame that the writers/editorial staff did not seem to have the time or inclination (or knowledge) to correct errors and evolve the manuals along side the cars.

Fortunately, for those of us who are not professional mechanics, fellow VCA members and Viper Techs have always been willing to share many of the "how to's" with the beginners. If indeed you are not an experienced mechanic, find someone who is to guide you through the various steps so that you can avoid damage to the Viper...and, more importantly, to YOU.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

It is not difficult. But if you're worried about it isn't there somebody in A-town that can help you out?

 

[pocketAA]

I have been taking my car to this one specific dealer. It was only there twice, once for an oil change ($100) and once to have the day-time running light relay unit replaced because it went on me ($225). I just do not want to keep spending money on maintenance when I could do it myself with some kind of guide. From my experience, the dealer is very good. They bring my viper into the garage right away so that no body messes with it and seems to take very good care of it. I do not think the prices they charge are too ridiculous, but I would like to learn how to do the maintenance myself. I am comfortable with changing oil etc, but I have really never done anything else, but I am eager to learn.

This past weekend, I needed my neighbor to give me a hand with my battery charger because I was not sure where a good ground location was for the negative clamp and didn't want to do anything to hurt the car.....

 

[Viper Wizard]

Brian, give me a call and I'll walk you through it.
914-763-3136

 

[Steve-Indy]

Take Chuck up on his offer...noting that you can always call several of us who post here regularly...especially on weekends when no one else answers!!

Have fun learning the various procedures...and learning to use the tools required to execute them...it does add another layer of satisfaction to the Viper ownership experience.

 

[slaughterj]

So the Service Manual will tell me how to change all of the following
Transmission, Differential, Power steering, Master/Clutch

Correct?
Is there anything else that I might need to know, granted, I have never done any work on a car before, at least nothing in depth. Is the Service manual detailed enough for a novice to understand? I really do not want to pay $500-1000 to get these changed.

Thanks

I would recommend having a differential fluid drain plug installed. As it is now, you have to **** the old fluid out of the hole you fill it, and it is hard work. So if you can get that installed, the person doing it will put new fluid in (thus no need for you to do it that time) and in the future, it will be much easier for you to do it. Further, if you find a reputable person who can do this, while they are under the car, you can get them to show you the exact spots for the transmission drain and fill and differential drain and fill (and the clutch drain if desired, but see below).

As noted above, most "cheat" when doing the power steering as it gets out the overwhelming majority of the old fluid and is simple to do.

But from my experience, you can "cheat" some with the clutch fluid as well. (Note, one important fluid you left off was brake fluid...) If you are smart, you will use a fluid that works for both your clutch and brake fluid, such as Motul 600. Then, every time you change your brake fluid, you can also siphon out the clutch fluid from its reservoir, as well as do it on other occasions as well. I tried this "experiment" for a 28k mile stretch (about 2 years), at the start of the 28k and at the end, I had Viper Tech Tom Sessions do a complete bleed from underneath, and he was amazed at how clean the fluid was due to the reservoir changes. Of course, that was just my experience and that's up to you to decide how to handle.

 

[pocketAA]

Chuck,
Thanks for the offer and I will take you up on it. I have gotten sick the past day and a half, but I will call you sometime next week to discuss.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Jerome Sparich]

I have been taking my car to this one specific dealer. ...

Young?

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Chuck, regarding shipping fluids and appropriate procedures: USPS carriers are not trained, but UPS drivers are. All you need is to ship in the original consumer packaging (so it has the original label) and the MSDS (which Dodge should supply you!) Obviously you need to put a plastic bottle in an appropriate box, but the activity by itself, shipping lubricants via UPS Ground, is not prohibited. (Dodge may not like you doing it, I understand.)

 

[pocketAA]

Jerome Sparich,
Yeah I take my car to Young Dodge. Have you had or have heard of any good or bad things about them? You wouldn't happen to have a red GTS would you?

 

[Jerome Sparich]

Jerome Sparich,
Yeah I take my car to Young Dodge. Have you had or have heard of any good or bad things about them? You wouldn't happen to have a red GTS would you?

Young has done right by myself, family, and friends. Nothing bad I can say about them. Infact they have gone out of their way to do things that other dealers would not do, including the one I bought my truck from.

Nope, red GTS is not mine. Ownership is on the back burner for now, my $ is now going into Pocono realstate. Thanks to my sister-inlaw.

Did you see a red GTS there with the plate "GABOON" maybe? It is a Fitzgerald Motorsports car. IIRC a Dr owns it.

 

[pocketAA]

I did see that GTS there. When I was having the recall performed on my car his was there as well. How is the Pocono realstate market these days, is it as inflated as the rest of the northeast? The time to buy was a couple of years ago, now everything seems overpriced to me and needs to drop in prices.