tomard

Can someone give me the correct steps to change out my auto tranny fluid on my 80?

I am not sure if I need to "flush", and if so, what I need, to do that ....

Or is it just get a new filter, gasket and 10qts of Dexron 3, remove pan bolts, drain it, clean off old gasket, if there is one, install new filter and install new gasket, then fill ..... or am I out in left field ???

Durango_Boy

You are right on.

Tip: Remove all bolts but the front row, and loosen them, allowing the pan to TILT downward so the fluid pours out slowly and controlled. Keep loosening them until enough fluid has drained that you can remove the bolts and get the pan off without spilling.

IF the fluid smells burnt...and you will be able to tell...it would be a good idea to flush, and that goes for the lines and coolant tank in the radiator.

Big2Bird

That's all folks. Messy job. Loosen all bolts, then leave in two at one end, forming a hinge so to speak. Loosen the two slowly last to lower other end. Big mess. If pan is full of metal, fill and drive to tranny shop.

RIJVETTES

But if your trans fluid stinks and is dark, or it hasn't been changed in about 50Kmiles or more, then you want to bring it to a shop to flush out and exchange all the fluid- including the couple of quarts in the converter that you can't change by just dropping the pan. Do it right the first time, and save your tranny!

tomard

It sounds like flushing is not something possible for the DIY garage mechanic ? WHY is that anyway, is there a special pump or something that most guys would not have, too expensive or something else?

I will probably go to a shop from the responses that I have had so far, but just want to be more knowledgeable about it.

Durango_Boy

For a thorough flush, ALL the old fluid needs to come out, and that included the quart or so of fluid that still coats the inside of the transmission when it's drained, the quart or so in the torque converter that you can't drain, and the fluid in the lines and radiator. It can all be done at home but it's a lot easier for a shop to do a flush.

Joes80

Might as well get a new pan with a drain plug.

Schwee

Drain and refill as noted above, replacing the filter.
Then, before you start it, disconnect one of the cooling lines from the radiator and have some one start it. Let the nasty old fluid from the torque converter, et al, pump into a bucket with the engine running, while another friend slowly adds fluid to displace what's pumping out.
Continue until clean red fluid is being discharged.

It's not as difficult as it sounds, and you end up with a clean new fliter along with clean new fluid.

Durango_Boy

That's a good idea...I like that.

Question: How do you know which is the positive pump line.