Anyone ever cut open a Trans Filter?

[ZZman]

I have cut open oil filters but never a trans filter. Not sure how you would.

I wonder if it catches mostly metal particles/ clutch material or catches dirt that might get in there.

I would think there is much less to catch than an oil filter due to no direct dirt intake path and no combustion issues.

 

[willix]

Not a spin-on or Pall type. I would guess the content would be the same as the pan renderings of clutch pack materials. I am sure they do a good job of catching the stuff.

 

[Colt45ws]

Ive used a hammer to bash the plastic and rip the filter out. The filter is constructed much like a vacuum bag. It is sealed around the inlet hole and inflates through the suction of the pump as its sucking the fluid through it..
There is pretty much nothing unless its a new trans then Ive seen some little pieces of sealant or something. They don't catch anything except squirrels, trees, and boulders.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Ive used a hammer to bash the plastic and rip the filter out. The filter is constructed much like a vacuum bag. It is sealed around the inlet hole and inflates through the suction of the pump as its sucking the fluid through it..
There is pretty much nothing unless its a new trans then Ive seen some little pieces of sealant or something. They don't catch anything except squirrels, trees, and boulders.

Colt: Would you say that changing the OE is necessary but after that probably not necessary?

 

[Colt45ws]

I would sorta agree. I would change it the first time then after that maybe every 100k. Transmissions dont produce much material that is going to be filtered by an ordinary trans filter unless its new or failing.
I did put in a filter the second time on my car but that was because I was dropping the valve body and had to remove the filter. I wanted a new seal for the filter, but, there is only one way to get one of those...

 

[pbm]

I replaced my OE filter and fluid (with Mobil 1 ATF) at 36K and again at 96K. The next time I may just siphon out the fluid and replace it inorder to avoid dropping the pan. On the other hand I do like cleaning the magnets in the pan.
My GM 4T65E really runs well on Mobil 1 w/ Lubegard red.

 

[Kaboomba]

I tore the factory original filter open when I had Schaeffer's 204SAT flushed into my 4T60E. There were a couple of tiny aluminum shavings.

Honestly, now that I have installed a Magnefine, I don't see a need to do a pan drop and filter ever again. I'll just keep up on the Magnefine.

Maybe someone has a good argument in favor of pan drop?

 

[Kestas]

I think transmission fliters are changed too often. I know I've needlessly replaced many filters. Maybe it's okay during the first (break-in) change, but after that I see no need to do it every 30K... fluid, yes; filter, no.

 

[Jim Allen]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
They don't catch anything except squirrels, trees, and boulders.


Depends on the transmission. I have learned that the later model (midd-'00) use a Filtran filter, the media of which is felt and rated at 80u. SOme others are 100u. As filtration goes, that's not much to brag about, but in the transmission realm 80u is pretty good!

I think the pan drop is important for the break-in change, when there are a lot more big chunks floating around

 

[hisilver]

I also smashed one open with a hammer. It was off a 5.3L chevy truck. 43000 miles and i saw two minescule aluminum pieces and on certain areas of the filter it was kinda black and dirty looking.