Do the trans flush machines really get out all the fluid?

[T-Keith]

I would never change the fluid without changing the filter and cleaning the pan and magnet. You'll never get everything out unless you have a TC plug, as paricles will be trapped in there by centifugal force.

As for the bucket method, I don't see how it would work unless you had two pumps.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Fyi

I recently consulted a very reputable trans shop to change the ATF to synthetic in my plow truck. The have a T-Tech flush system.

The capacity of my 700R4 trans is about 3 gals. The shop expert said that at the very least I would need a 5 gal pail of fluid to completely flush the old fluid using the flush machine. Anything less and he could not assure me that there would not be some old ATF mixed in with the new.

btw-They agree, anyone who changes the fluid and does not change the filter is wasting their money. Many a trans has died after such an event and he would never do it. Any shop the would is the place to avoid.

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As for the bucket method, I don't see how it would work unless you had two pumps.

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You run the engine and let the trans do the pumping. Seen it done and it works but is a 2 man operation. One to add fluid and another the control to fluid pumping out of the radiator cooling lines. Can get messy, I seen a body shop doing it to a used trans they installed.

[ February 23, 2004, 06:14 PM: Message edited by: Mike ]

 

[DJ]

Seems there are several of you here with 700R4/4L60Es, GM makes a deeper pan and even a deeper pan with a drain plug, they started using them in like 99 on Tahoes and stuff. The deep pan without the plug cost me a whole $13.45 after a good discount, it is about 1/2" deeper and something like 2 quarts more fluid. That brings system capacity to about 14quarts which is the amount at least some of the piston style machines exchange, so maybe going more than one cycle would be a good idea there. I can dig up some part numbers if anyone wants.

 

[DJ]

24210915 DEEP transmission pan--no drain plug
24215535 DEEP transmission pan--with drain plug, Torx
24213991 plug--hex head, for DEEP pan plug
24208576 filter for deep trans pan
The hex head plug is listed because the Torx one is a PITA and often overly tight right from the factory. I can not say for sure these will fit every chassis, if things are tight like there is a skid plate under or something take that into account, they do fit a Caprice well I can say that much for certain.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Thanks for the info but I don't think I want to change pans. Truck is pushing 80,000 miles and fluid looks good and trans works good according to the trans shop, but this is the first winter it ever had a plow. I'm assuming the ATF has never been serviced. The owner before me (original) only appeared to repair what needed and no more. I see what the trans guy thinks and if he says it would be worth while, I may do it.

 

[Patman]

So I had the trans flush done this morning, and everything worked out just fine. In fact, my trans is now shifting smoother than ever!

I think it's because it may have been down a quart before the change. Their machine showed that it took out 9L of dirty fluid, and I knew my capacity was 10.2L. And when they checked it, they needed to add at least another L to get the dipstick on full again. They may have even overfilled it by half a quart, I hope that's ok (seems to be though)

The fluid on the dipstick looks extremely clean now, so if they didn't get 100% of the old fluid out, they sure came pretty darn close, IMHO.

I got it done at a Canadian Tire Pit Stop location, and I believe they use Castrol Dexron III. They got it out of a big bulk container which said Castrol on it anyhow.

I had a good chuckle when the guy pulled out my dipstick for the oil while the hood was open and he showed it to me and told me it was time for a change. Bah, with 8600km on GC 0w30 it's probably doing just fine, and I'll continue on to the 10,000km mark there before I change it.

 

[Jim Spahr]

GF Crane and others with a GM-S-10, 94 to 96 Impala,and other RWD GM's with the auto trans 4L60E. You can have a auto trans pan with a drain plug! It will be higher capacity also.Go to the parts dept and ask for the Silverado ATF trans pan with drain. It is steel, approx one extra quart of ATF, and fits perfectly with no leaks unlike many after market units. It is less than $40.00. This makes trans fluid changes a lot easier.

 

[Jim Spahr]

One thing I should mention about the extra deep GM Silverado trans pan (see above post)- it requires a longer neck filter. if you do your own trans changes, this pan with drain will pay for it self many times in cnvenience and laundry bills.

 

[timmy8151]

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Originally posted by T-Keith:
I would never change the fluid without changing the filter and cleaning the pan and magnet. You'll never get everything out unless you have a TC plug, as paricles will be trapped in there by centifugal force.

As for the bucket method, I don't see how it would work unless you had two pumps.

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What about vehicles where you can't change the filter?? On my Acura there is only a drain bolt and no way to drop the pan.

 

[ChrisW]

quote:

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Originally posted by timmy8151:

quote:

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Originally posted by T-Keith:
I would never change the fluid without changing the filter and cleaning the pan and magnet. You'll never get everything out unless you have a TC plug, as paricles will be trapped in there by centifugal force.

As for the bucket method, I don't see how it would work unless you had two pumps.

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What about vehicles where you can't change the filter?? On my Acura there is only a drain bolt and no way to drop the pan.

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I always forget which lines are the return and which are the discharge lines on the hondas and acuras. Is (looking from front of car straight down on the lines) the one on the right the discharge and the one on the left the return?

 

[Spector]

previously quoted by wwillson:
"my van has a metal screen instead of a filter. I pulled the pan at 80,000 thinking that the screen would be partially plugged and that I would change it. Much to my suprise, the entire bottom side of the trans and the screen looked like the day it was made! The only thing that needed cleaning were the magnets in the bottom of the pan.

I have 163,000 on my Camry transmission. never a flush, pan dropped twice, no filter just a screen. Both times about a worthless procedure, pan clean, screen clean, magnet some debris but not bad. changed the OEM fluid out at 25,000, then 30,000 drain and fills with Amsoil ATF. TC drained and filled on 3 of the ocsassions with the pan (has a drain/fill plug). Pan dropped at 60,000 and 120,000 only. Last two drain and filles used Lubeguard (red bottle additive) but really noticed no diff.