Transmission Flush

hourang

hourang

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ive heard/seen soo many things with flushing transmissions that just the thought of having my trans flushed scares me. But my truck has 75k miles on it and i know i should be getting it flushed. it works great but i want it to actually make it past 100k. now i know theirs different ways to flush it, from pulling the pan, replacing the filter to just having a place hook it up to a machine that flushes it out. Whats the right way to have it flushed? Where should i take it? Is there any kinda semi warranty that can protect me in case they flush it and the trans goes out on me the next week? thanks for the help.
 
Take the filter out... Drain the whole trans including the convertor... Have them bolt the pan up and have them flush the system and drain it again... Then have them throw the new filter in and refill it... You're mint...
 
ReiKo said:
Take the filter out... Drain the whole trans including the convertor... Have them bolt the pan up and have them flush the system and drain it again... Then have them throw the new filter in and refill it... You're mint...
Click to expand...

that sounds like a good process, so whos them? :D hehe
 
Depending on the type of transmission, the filter should be replaced somewhere between 25-30k. (even sooner for commercial vehicles)
In most cases this requires removing the pan. Once the pan is removed, you can inspect for any debris, clean the pan & magnet. At this time, once again depending on which transmission it is, a drain plug can be installed.
After this process is completed, you can now drain the fluid more often, constantly diluting the old fluid with new. Its a simple process to pull the drain plug and install 4-5 quarts. I usually suggest draining & refilling every other oil change 6-8k.
Transmission fluid serves two purposes.
One, it is used to build hydraulic pressure, to apply clutch pack and or bands.
Two, it lubricates all the parts inside. By always keeping fresh fluid in a transmission, wear on planetarys, bushings & bearings is greatly reduced, thus extending the life of any transmission.
Many times you hear of someone changing their transmission fluid after 100k and having a failure soon after. As transmission fluid gets older it no longer lubricates moving parts inside. It also gets slightly thicker, almost like adding thicker engine oil to compensate for low oil pressure. If the transmission fails soon after changing the fluid, it was going to fail soon anyways.
The problem with the "flush" method is not replacing the filter. The pump in a transmission must never be restricted. A older filter just becomes more and more restritive as time passes.
One last note, not all filters are equal. Only use OE, sealed power or allomatic filters (sealed power and allomatic are OE manufacturers)
Hope that helps any confusion you may have.
 
Detroit Gearbox said:
Depending on the type of transmission, the filter should be replaced somewhere between 25-30k. (even sooner for commercial vehicles)
In most cases this requires removing the pan. Once the pan is removed, you can inspect for any debris, clean the pan & magnet. At this time, once again depending on which transmission it is, a drain plug can be installed.
After this process is completed, you can now drain the fluid more often, constantly diluting the old fluid with new. Its a simple process to pull the drain plug and install 4-5 quarts. I usually suggest draining & refilling every other oil change 6-8k.
Transmission fluid serves two purposes.
One, it is used to build hydraulic pressure, to apply clutch pack and or bands.
Two, it lubricates all the parts inside. By always keeping fresh fluid in a transmission, wear on planetarys, bushings & bearings is greatly reduced, thus extending the life of any transmission.
Many times you hear of someone changing their transmission fluid after 100k and having a failure soon after. As transmission fluid gets older it no longer lubricates moving parts inside. It also gets slightly thicker, almost like adding thicker engine oil to compensate for low oil pressure. If the transmission fails soon after changing the fluid, it was going to fail soon anyways.
The problem with the "flush" method is not replacing the filter. The pump in a transmission must never be restricted. A older filter just becomes more and more restritive as time passes.
One last note, not all filters are equal. Only use OE, sealed power or allomatic filters (sealed power and allomatic are OE manufacturers)
Hope that helps any confusion you may have.
Click to expand...

wow thats exactly the info i was looking for thanks!! btw do you do this service and how much? i love the drain plug idea. 4L60e in my truck below.
 
hourang said:
ive heard/seen soo many things with flushing transmissions that just the thought of having my trans flushed scares me. But my truck has 75k miles on it and i know i should be getting it flushed. it works great but i want it to actually make it past 100k. now i know theirs different ways to flush it, from pulling the pan, replacing the filter to just having a place hook it up to a machine that flushes it out. Whats the right way to have it flushed? Where should i take it? Is there any kinda semi warranty that can protect me in case they flush it and the trans goes out on me the next week? thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

I would have it flushed. Belle Tire stores did mine on M59 two years back. Now all Belle Tire stores have the 'machine'.

Go see Ryan at Belle on Rochester road :D
 
I see you're in Commerce...you could always drive over to the Brighton Belle Tire and see Joe (Jenga on here). I just had a trans flush and tires done over there on my wifes Navigator...they did a good job and Joe gave me a great deal!
 
Joe said:
I would have it flushed. Belle Tire stores did mine on M59 two years back. Now all Belle Tire stores have the 'machine'.

Go see Ryan at Belle on Rochester road :D
Click to expand...

NVR2FST said:
I see you're in Commerce...you could always drive over to the Brighton Belle Tire and see Joe (Jenga on here). I just had a trans flush and tires done over there on my wifes Navigator...they did a good job and Joe gave me a great deal!
Click to expand...

Do they replace the filter or do they hook the machine up and flush it internally?

One thing to remember you have to use certain "solvents" to clean the trans... Otherwise you are opening a can of worms...
 
well id say closer to 75-100k, when I worked at a repair shop we would make the customer sign a waver saying if he wants to flush the trans and something goes wrong its not our fault because we told him it could happen.

So we would recommend flushing cars with lower mileage than others and/or the type of car.

When I just changed the trans pan gasket and filter (no flush) on my ex’s ranger it slipped a bit more after I was done, but I had to change it because it was leaking so bad.

All really depends on the history of the car/trans and the risk that you might wanna take.
 
jtcstrat said:
well id say closer to 75-100k, when I worked at a repair shop we would make the customer sign a waver saying if he wants to flush the trans and something goes wrong its not our fault because we told him it could happen.

So we would recommend flushing cars with lower mileage than others and/or the type of car.

When I just changed the trans pan gasket and filter (no flush) on my ex’s ranger it slipped a bit more after I was done, but I had to change it because it was leaking so bad.

All really depends on the history of the car/trans and the risk that you might wanna take.
Click to expand...

yeah see this is exactly why im afraid.
i had the filter and fluid changed on my first camaro with like 90k miles on it and shortly after the trans started slipping and started loosing gears.
 
at my old shop we reccomended a trans flush by machine every 30k. i did a ton of them and we've never had a problem.
 
ReiKo said:
Do they replace the filter or do they hook the machine up and flush it internally?

One thing to remember you have to use certain "solvents" to clean the trans... Otherwise you are opening a can of worms...
Click to expand...

I do not believe mine included a filter change. I didn't do mine until I had 100K on the clock.
 
Jeff - I'm an idiot :D

I had my COOLING system flushed at Belle, not my transmission - Dee Dee Dee Dee :loser:

I have not had my transmission system flushed, only the fluid and filter changed...
 
ReiKo said:
Do they replace the filter or do they hook the machine up and flush it internally?

One thing to remember you have to use certain "solvents" to clean the trans... Otherwise you are opening a can of worms...
Click to expand...


all flush machines do is attach to a cooler line and push in trans fluid as it pumps it out. they don't flush anything. its just a way of diluting the existing fluid. they made these machines as a way of making more profits for places like tire stores. I cant stress how important it is to remove the pan and clean it, and replace the filter.

hourang....most vehicles run around 100 bucks, additional 25 includes welding in a drain plug.
 
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