Which is better for an old trans: Dyno or Synthetic ATF?
 

Trying to keep the 87 190e trans running until it gets replaced. The trans clunks a bit and is definitely on borrowed time (225k miles).

I wondered if it were better to refill with synthetic or dino ATF after draining and replacing the filter?

haasman

Haasman:

I have no real knowledge of automatic transmissions.

Surfing the WEB as I often do, I've read more than one post by person(s) claiming to be techs who indicate synthetic is too "slippery" for alot of transmissions.

I'm not sure if this "slippery" thing affects older transmissions for the good or worse.

I belong to a number of forums, especially asian. Alot of foks in those camps swear up and down by this stuff and conventional transmission fluid(whatever yours uses). I have not used the stuff.

http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf.html

Don't know if it's unrelated, but I put Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in the tranny of my '91 190e 2.3 about a year ago at 165k hoping it would help the harsh 1-2 shift, but it didn't.. Now my tranny is starting to flare/slip going from 2-3. :(

I have since switched back to conventional, so I personally wouldn't reccomend it

As with engines the primary benefit of synthetic tansmission oil is longer service life because it has more resistance to oxidation at operating temperature.

On an old transmission, using synthetic for a normal service oil change is not likely to increase its life.

Duke