Dipstick Transmission fluid change?

[Shannow]

I've done the vacuum jar thing for smaller fluid volumes...

For the 4L60E, I use one of these, and a long tube...

Gives the shoulders a decent work-out, pulling a vacuum (you feel it when the air column separates, and you feel it when it collapses again).

Did the cooler line flush a few weeks ago, and I get more out with the cooler than the suction, as I can pump the pan out, and not get anything with the suction hose.

 

[Drew99GT]

Does anyone know if, when using the tube down the dipstick method, whether the tube bottoming out or poking around down there can damage anything in the 4T65E? Will the tube just hit the bottom of the pan and not the filter or anything else?

Also, regarding filters for the 4T65E; are they critical? IE, are they the kind of filter that is a metal screen that traps large chunks of stuff instead of very fine particulates?

Thanks!

 

[901Memphis]

I use the cheap harbor freight hand pump on my 4T65e. I didn't feel anything that could be damaged but the hose is fairly soft when warm. I suck exactly 4 quarts out by filling an empty milk jug to the top then I fill with 4 fresh quarts and drive it about 10 miles to mix it and repeat 3-4 times.

It's a felt filter as pictured in the included link for you.

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/general-chat/topic1483.html

I have about 100k on my oem filter and I'm going to change it soon. I prefer to let my filter load up. Hoping it's not too bad but usually they aren't to bad unless damaged.

If you do get into the pan, rock auto has the Dorman replacement pan with drain plug for about $30. I really want one.

I'm going with Maxlife next time, this time I used Supertech dex 6 and I think it shifts harder.

 

[Drew99GT]

Thanks 901memphis. I think I'll get the Dorman pan next time and do the filter.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
If you use a slightly larger diameter hose for sucking the fluid out you should get much better results.


Yea, next time I'm going to try 3/8 and see if it will fit in the dipstick.


Good to hear it worked out for you! 3/8" PVC tubing is what I use and I just throttle the suction by holding the vac hose over the hole in the cover and move off the hole as necessary.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Does anyone know if, when using the tube down the dipstick method, whether the tube bottoming out or poking around down there can damage anything in the 4T65E? Will the tube just hit the bottom of the pan and not the filter or anything else?

Also, regarding filters for the 4T65E; are they critical? IE, are they the kind of filter that is a metal screen that traps large chunks of stuff instead of very fine particulates?

Thanks!


You shouldn't damage anything in the pan area. There are a couple of wires, but you'd have to be a very unlucky duck to catch them, let alone damage them.

The filter is a felt type, but member dnewton (I think) said that they are somewhere along the lines of 80 microns absolute, so not really fine so to speak. It would take a lot to plug one up.

 

[My442]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: Donald
Mityvac 7201. Have done a bunch of "pulls" through the dipstick.


+1 It works like a charm.


Me too. Every other oil change. My 1999 F150 had 200,000 miles on it, and the transmission was still tight.