HJ Should i flush the transmission or just do a filter fluid change? 35,000 miles changed fluid and filter at 15,000 and ready to do it agian. Just didnt know if it was worth it or not.
Edited title-HJ
To Flush or not to flush ( transmission )
Moderator: F9K9
To Flush or not to flush ( transmission )
[size=75]2006 Silvarado with 5.3 tow haul package, and 1993 jeep grand cherokee starting the build on it this summer.[/size]
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HenryJ
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There are probably others that have suggestions too.
I think a complete fluid exchange is worth the expense. Especially if you see any heavy duty use.
I add a can of Seafoam TransTune. Run the transmission until warm, drain the pan and replace the filter. Clean the pan checking for debris / clues. Reinstall and fill with fluid.
Then exchange 16 quarts of fluid. I happen to have access to a fluid exchanger. Most will not. You can run down to your local quick lube and have then exchange the fluid, or use the back yard method.
The back yard fluid exchange: Start by checking the level. Make sure the transmission fluid is full.
Take loose a transmission line. If you have an external cooler added, disconnect the one coming from the lower transmission line and place it in a one gallon container. This container needs to be marked in such a way that you can measure three quarts.
Now you will start the vehicle and pump three quarts into the measuring container and shut off the engine. Add three quarts of new fluid to the transmission and repeat until you have exchanged all 16 quarts.
Now some clarifications. You will need a five gallon container to use for carrying the used fluid to your local recycling center.
The transmission pushes fluid through the cooler. It does not pull fluid back, so the other line can be left open , or capped.
The upper line from the stock cooler can be used, but you will need to figure out how to get a piece of hose onto the fitting at the radiator cooler. The transmission pushes fluid from the lower line up through the internal cooler and back to the transmission through the upper line.
Won't the transmission be sucking air with the fluid level three quarts low? No. The filter doesn't start losing pressure until six quarts have been drained from the pan. Three is a safe amount and leaves some room for error.
This does take 20-22 quarts of fluid. You "waste" 4-6 quarts when you refill the pan after the filter change.
Most may find that it is much easier to just pay someone to exchange the fluid using a machine. It is nice to know how to do it yourself though.
If your vehicle does not see any hard use, then you might be able to just exchange the fluid and replace the filter every other service. I like to change the filter though. It gives me a chance to gauge the condition and a $10 filter is cheap insurance.
I think a complete fluid exchange is worth the expense. Especially if you see any heavy duty use.
I add a can of Seafoam TransTune. Run the transmission until warm, drain the pan and replace the filter. Clean the pan checking for debris / clues. Reinstall and fill with fluid.
Then exchange 16 quarts of fluid. I happen to have access to a fluid exchanger. Most will not. You can run down to your local quick lube and have then exchange the fluid, or use the back yard method.
The back yard fluid exchange: Start by checking the level. Make sure the transmission fluid is full.
Take loose a transmission line. If you have an external cooler added, disconnect the one coming from the lower transmission line and place it in a one gallon container. This container needs to be marked in such a way that you can measure three quarts.
Now you will start the vehicle and pump three quarts into the measuring container and shut off the engine. Add three quarts of new fluid to the transmission and repeat until you have exchanged all 16 quarts.
Now some clarifications. You will need a five gallon container to use for carrying the used fluid to your local recycling center.
The transmission pushes fluid through the cooler. It does not pull fluid back, so the other line can be left open , or capped.
The upper line from the stock cooler can be used, but you will need to figure out how to get a piece of hose onto the fitting at the radiator cooler. The transmission pushes fluid from the lower line up through the internal cooler and back to the transmission through the upper line.
Won't the transmission be sucking air with the fluid level three quarts low? No. The filter doesn't start losing pressure until six quarts have been drained from the pan. Three is a safe amount and leaves some room for error.
This does take 20-22 quarts of fluid. You "waste" 4-6 quarts when you refill the pan after the filter change.
Most may find that it is much easier to just pay someone to exchange the fluid using a machine. It is nice to know how to do it yourself though.
If your vehicle does not see any hard use, then you might be able to just exchange the fluid and replace the filter every other service. I like to change the filter though. It gives me a chance to gauge the condition and a $10 filter is cheap insurance.
"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving! - ThunderII KE7CSK
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HenryJ
- Admin K Elite
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- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
- Location: Ontario, Oregon
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I buy my transmission filters from NAPA. I don't recall the brand.
I only use the boxed filters with the neoprene gaskets. I haven't had much luck with cork staying sealed.
Most places charge $100-$160 for a fliud and filter change. I would bet if the place charges less than that , they are not changing the filter.
I only use the boxed filters with the neoprene gaskets. I haven't had much luck with cork staying sealed.
Most places charge $100-$160 for a fliud and filter change. I would bet if the place charges less than that , they are not changing the filter.
"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving! - ThunderII KE7CSK