ATF Filter oem vs aftermarket any differences?

[97prizm]

Hi all,

I have a 2005 Dodge Neon with the automatic transmission. I've called around and been looking at the different transmission filter options. The local Dodge dealership quoted me $29.95 for the filter and $9 for a tube of rtv sealant for the pan. The guy said the kits have a gasket but the car never came with one. Rockauto had 8 or 9 different brands from $3 for a "transmaxx" to $17 for an AC Delco. Has anyone ever cut open any of these or compared any of the aftermarket vs oem quality?

 

[Trav]

Go with the OE and forget the RTV just use the gasket with a thin coat of high tack on both sides of the gasket. Some of these aftermarket ones are getting real sketchy.

 

[Linctex]

None of the trans filters are very efficient - - usually about 80-100 microns. No matter who makes it.

Just enough to keep the big grains of sand filtered out.

 

[MrMoody]

Concur, a slight filter leak due to poor fit or defect can put a stream of air bubbles into your transmission and ruin it. Buy the OEM. You can probably find it cheaper online.

 

[Dino01]

OEM only for me. On a past Mercedes some guy before me put a cheap Chinese filter in and it was shifting very poorly that led me to think the a/t was dying around 200k, when in reality it was in perfect health and the glue inside the filter body holdin the element gave way and the filter element itself was flopping around interfering with ATF flow

 

[Donald]

Contact [email protected]

They are a Chrysler dealer and can get the OEM parts at a discount. I ordered a lot of parts for my Jeep and Dodge Ram from them. Easy to deal with. The no sales tax covered the shipping. Email them with VIN and what you need for a quote.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted by MrMoody
Concur, a slight filter leak due to poor fit or defect can put a stream of air bubbles into your transmission and ruin it. Buy the OEM. You can probably find it cheaper online.


This happened to our 2005 Explorer when my indie mech did the first pan drop. He DIDN'T use a Motorcraft transmission filter and had to tow the Explorer back to the shop, at his expense, and replace with a Motorcraft filter. Luckily there was no permanent damage, the original transmission now has over 195,000 miles on it. Since then he's only used Motorcraft filters and everything has been fine.

Whimsey

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The transmission filter usually doesn't have to be changed.