Auto trannies: flushing vs draining

[andrewg]

I have a 2009 Ford Focus. I've been using a Pela Extractor and removing about three quarts of Mercon LV and adding three fresh. I've done this about every six months. Not expensive at all really. The maintenance interval (pan dropped, filter changed) is something strange, like 100k miles or something.
Since I've been doing this since new, would it be worth taking it in at about 60k miles and having it serviced? I don't really want to do it myself. It's a daily drive to work and see's about 15k miles of mixed driving every year.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: MobilinHyundia
What do I do with the other end of the return line?
Leave it open or plug it?


Nothing will come out of it after a little dribbles out.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: MobilinHyundia
What do I do with the other end of the return line?
Leave it open or plug it?


Nothing will come out of it after a little dribbles out.


Which is something you never want to hear your wife or girlfriend say to you...Lol!

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
I have a 2009 Ford Focus. I've been using a Pela Extractor and removing about three quarts of Mercon LV and adding three fresh. I've done this about every six months. Not expensive at all really. The maintenance interval (pan dropped, filter changed) is something strange, like 100k miles or something.
Since I've been doing this since new, would it be worth taking it in at about 60k miles and having it serviced? I don't really want to do it myself. It's a daily drive to work and see's about 15k miles of mixed driving every year.

Andrew,

While something is indeed better than nothing, the filter is inside the pan and must be changed regularly unless you set up a remote system.

 

[andrewg]

I suppose so. I should just get it changed. I'll look into doing it myself if it isn't overly difficult.
Thanks.

 

[Artem]

My 98 Toyota Camry V6 supposedly has magnets inside the oil pan. I haven't touched a single bolt (except the drain plug) since the car was Brand New over 225k miles ago. Expect tranny flushed every 60k miles or so, I haven't done a thing to the tranny. Shifts like a dream as if it has 60k on it.

Most of todays cars have sealed trannys. My 07 Civic is the same. I don't even know if it has a filter.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I have yet to see any new car with a 'sealed' transmission. Many have lost their dipstick, but they still have a recommended fluid change interval in the owners manual.

No amount of fluid exchange can substitute for the removal of the pan, changing the filter, and the cleaning of the magnet(s) as needed once in a great while. It is MUCH more important that this happen earlier than later as most debris is released in the first 30k or so.

 

[hattaresguy]

I don't really think power flushes are a good idea, especially on older transmissions with no or questionable service history.

I prefer a slow method of either letting the pump exchange the fluid threw the cooler lines, or just a few pan drops to cycle in fresh fluid.

Of course the best method is regular changes from day one but not everyone takes very good care of their vehicles.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I'm about ready to offer a cash bounty for ANYONE who can produce a real 'powered flush' machine.

Where are they?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

From what I've heard, they just connect to the cooler line and force some fluid in one end and let the other spit the fluid out?

When I "flush", I start the vehicle up and let it run until it drains the pan. Rinse, lather, repeat.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Actually they don't force anything. They simply connect them to your cooler lines with adapters and start your car and your trans does the work.

No "flush" at all if you think it's a forced thing.

 

[hooperswish1]

I have a 2006 3.3 chrysler town and country with 24,000 miles. At 5000 miles I put on a magnefine filter. So I decided to drop the pan, change the filter, and then do a cooler line flush with castrol atf+4. Well....I got the bolts off, all ten of them, and then I COULD NOT get the pan off. The black gasket sealant that the factory used would not budge. I used a rubber mallot, I pried, I cussed. So...I put the pan back on, did a cooler line flush of 10 quarts, put in a new magnefine filter, and called it a day.No new pan filter, but a new magnefine filter and fresh fluid.

 

[SAATR]

Originally Posted By: hooperswish1
I have a 2006 3.3 chrysler town and country with 24,000 miles. At 5000 miles I put on a magnefine filter. So I decided to drop the pan, change the filter, and then do a cooler line flush with castrol atf+4. Well....I got the bolts off, all ten of them, and then I COULD NOT get the pan off. The black gasket sealant that the factory used would not budge. I used a rubber mallot, I pried, I cussed. So...I put the pan back on, did a cooler line flush of 10 quarts, put in a new magnefine filter, and called it a day.No new pan filter, but a new magnefine filter and fresh fluid.


Tools like this work well, or a sharp, strong putty knife with the corners rounded off.

 

[hooperswish1]

I will get one next time. Thanks a lot!
Originally Posted By: SAATR
Originally Posted By: hooperswish1
I have a 2006 3.3 chrysler town and country with 24,000 miles. At 5000 miles I put on a magnefine filter. So I decided to drop the pan, change the filter, and then do a cooler line flush with castrol atf+4. Well....I got the bolts off, all ten of them, and then I COULD NOT get the pan off. The black gasket sealant that the factory used would not budge. I used a rubber mallot, I pried, I cussed. So...I put the pan back on, did a cooler line flush of 10 quarts, put in a new magnefine filter, and called it a day.No new pan filter, but a new magnefine filter and fresh fluid.


Tools like this work well, or a sharp, strong putty knife with the corners rounded off.