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What is the easiest way to do a line off fluid exchange on this van?
The easiest way is remove the lower line going into the transmission. The line is held in by a clip, use a small flat blade screwdriver to push the side of the clip in and slide another small screwdriver blade behind it to pop it out.
There is 1 bolt holding the lines to the block (14mm head), remove it, now pull the lower line straight out out the unit.
Attach a 3/8 clear plastic hose to the lower line and put the other end in a empty gallon jug, have an assistant start the car and pump a gallon out, shut the engine off, take another empty jug and pump 2 more qts out or until you see bubbles in fluid in the plastic line, turn the engine off.
The pan will now be almost empty and easy to remove.
R&R the filter and filter seal, clean the pan and magnet and reinstall using the same gasket if it is the OEM stiff rubber coated metal one and it is in good shape.
Fill with 6qts make sure and make sure plastic hose is in another empty jug and start the engine. pump another gallon out.
At this point the fluid coming out should look as clean as the new stuff going in if so go no further. If not fill another gallon and repeat.
At this point the unit is about 4qts low.
Reinsert the line and clip, make sure it is seated and reinstall the line holder bolt.
Put 2x 10oz bottles of lubeguard red in and fill about 3.5 qts in, start the engine,check for leaks and get the car level.
Run the tranny through the gears and check the level, it should be about half an inch below the full mark.
Drive the car 10 miles and check the fluid again, add if needed to bring it to the full mark.
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I've heard of people having luck with the lubegard in these trannys.
It is very good especially in these GM 4T65E units.
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I'll keep the shift kit in mind as a later option as well.
The Transgo kit is not a bang screech shift kit, it only lowers the shift time to prevent slippage and wear in these units. By the time shift time is at the point that it will throw a code its too late to be helped by the accumulator modification.
I install one in every one of these units i service as a preventive measure and it really helps shift feel and lowers temperature by reducing slippage during the shift.
In a good properly functioning unit it can really extend the service life of these sometimes problematic units.
