Tranny Fluid change questions..

[Lead Shoes]

I have the money, and not the time or tools anymore, the GM Dealership is going to charge me 175 to flush the transmission with 20-25 quarts of fluid and change the filter 50 bucks = 225, or a local brownies tire store will do a pan drop w/ filter and fill for 140 about..

It has a delayed engagement from park to drive and reverse, no prior knowledge of service records.

My neighbor, the GM mech, said to flush it then forget about it for the life of the car, and considering they are certified, if it stops working after they flush it i get a new one, at their expense

I was wondering which one would be wiser considering the age, and unknown service records..

I was wondering which one you guys think i should do?

 

[crazyoildude]

here is what i do to my cars...i use a pump to get 4 qts out then refill ith new atf drive it for about a mile stop and go and do the same thing two more times then i take the pan down and put a new filter (from the dealer) and refill....
Do i waste transmission fluid doing it that way? yes does it work Yes it works to the tune of having 323,000 on a chevy blazer with the original engine and transmission..

 

[ahoier]

Go with the neighbor then

He's certified (ASE? or something else?) so he would know And well, like you said, if it don't work, he's gonna get you a new....what? transmission? That's quite a gamble on his part....unless there's some really small, small-print

 

[crazyoildude]

also a high mileage atf would be a good idea

 

[The_Eric]

Buy a simple 1/4" drive socket set and do it yourself. In your previous topic, there was a lot of good advice doled out. IMO, if you want it done right, do it yourself. Also, IMO doing a flush or fluid exchange without changing the filter is stupid! Really, you should do both, as the delayed engagement could well be caused by a plugged filter.

Get the tools, drop the pan, clean the [censored] out, change the filter, the refill and remove the cooler return line from the radiator and exchange old fluid for new.

The end result will be better than a shop's flush job for less $$$. Also, like I said, if on the off chance your (I stress high mileage) transmission dies after the dealer gets a hold of it, I still say you'll be SOL. I find it REALLY hard to believe a dealer will replace an old transmission if it dies.

 

[saaber1]

You can flush most any auto transmission easily using this fooproof method (essentially the same as what Eric said above):

http://www.ipdusa.com/uploads/sku_files/7945_INST.PDF

Just adapt for your vehicle. All you do is disconnect the transmission line at the radiator. Then hook a piece of clear plastic tubing to it and run into a milk jug or similar with 2 quarts marked on it. Then pump out 2 quarts and refill with 2 quarts. Repeat until it comes out very clear.

This is doing essentially the same method as when bleeding the brakes. Except you aren't manually pumping it out. It gets out all the fluid this way in one sitting.

 

[Kaboomba]

you may also want to cycle through PRND321 to push new fluid through all valves and passages for a complete flush.

 

[Lead Shoes]

The guy on the phone at the dealership, not my neighbor, just told me changing the fluid/filter would not affect the delayed engagement from park to reverse/drive..

true or false? I don't want to change it if it wont affect anything, fluid isn't cheap..

 

[Ryan]

If you have a 4T65E transmission, that is supposed to be a common problem... but can be fixed with a shift kit, not a flush.

 

[Lead Shoes]

I have no idea what transmission it is..

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
The guy on the phone at the dealership, not my neighbor, just told me changing the fluid/filter would not affect the delayed engagement from park to reverse/drive..

true or false? I don't want to change it if it wont affect anything, fluid isn't cheap..


Neither are your other options at 140.00 and 225.00.

They could well be right, IF the filter isn't plugged. If it is partially plugged, it could well be the source of your issues.

I just don't get it... Why in the world are some mechanics so against changing out the filters???????? Are they too lazy or too retarded to do it? With a good air ratchet and some motivation, a mechanic can easily accomplish this task in 10-15 minutes.

 

[crazyoildude]

oh yes ... The guy at the dealership... Did he say that they can rebuild it for you or better yet maybe give them that car and buy another one from them... Try the filter and oil change ..What trans is it ??

 

[ScottG]

Did the same thing myself on a Mazda 5 the other day. I will admit I read several sets of instructions to make sure I had the knowledge to do the job properly. It was quite easy and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Did the milk jug thing as well, with it marked in quart increments. After draining filling the pan, I did the process in 2 quart increments. I probably put through more atf then necessary (an extra quart) but I know that the new stuff had made it through the system and it was still cheaper than a dealership machine flush.

 

[Lead Shoes]

uhh, my neighbor put it up on the lift, and checked the level, and fluid, its fairly brownish black, im going to sell it, lol..