Tranny service or flush??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 642
Likes: 11
Tranny service or flush??
Taking my 92 in tommorrw for some tranny service however have heard some places donot recommend "flushes" rather service which includes dropping the pan emptying out what they can then replacing filter and gasket.new fliud which does not get out all of the old fluid.
Then thiers the flush method which does pump the old stuff out and any debris, Question is what method would be better??
BTW I bought the car last yr which came with repair/service list and didn't see anything about tranny service so am thinking its time, the car just turned 130K>>>>>>>>I donot feel or hear the tranny slipping at all, it shifts fast with no slippage! so am thinking all it needs is a "tranny service" opinions are always welcome, thanx
Then thiers the flush method which does pump the old stuff out and any debris, Question is what method would be better??
BTW I bought the car last yr which came with repair/service list and didn't see anything about tranny service so am thinking its time, the car just turned 130K>>>>>>>>I donot feel or hear the tranny slipping at all, it shifts fast with no slippage! so am thinking all it needs is a "tranny service" opinions are always welcome, thanx
Last edited by lectroglide; Jun 10, 2015 at 09:48 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
Taking my 92 in tommorrw for some tranny service however have heard some places donot recommend "flushes" rather service which includes dropping the pan emptying out what they can then replacing filter and gasket.new fliud which does not get out all of the old fluid.
Then thiers the flush method which does pump the old stuff out. Question is what method would be better??
BTW I bought the car last yr which came with repair/service list and didn't see anything about tranny service so am thinking its time, the car just turned 130K
Then thiers the flush method which does pump the old stuff out. Question is what method would be better??
BTW I bought the car last yr which came with repair/service list and didn't see anything about tranny service so am thinking its time, the car just turned 130K
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Fluid and filter change is always smart. Flushing machines in my opinion are PURE DARK LORD OF THE SITH EVIL.
You cannot harm a transmission changing the fluid and filter correctly. You can kill a transmission with a flush job even if done correctly.
But trust me there will be flush fans in here before this thread is over with.....
You cannot harm a transmission changing the fluid and filter correctly. You can kill a transmission with a flush job even if done correctly.
But trust me there will be flush fans in here before this thread is over with.....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Several years ago I attended a Gordon Killebrew class where he did a complete flush of his son-in-law's C4 A4 without even jacking the car up or using a lift.
He removed the lines that ran to the radiator and hooked up a hose to the discharge line (upper?) then started the car and let the old fluid discharge into a bucket until it started to sputter.
He then filled another bucket with synthetic tranny fluid and placed a hose that was hooked to the return line into that bucket.
He does not recommend dropping the pan to change the filter but I can no longer remember his logic.
I did this process on my 91 A4 a few years ago and it went well. It seems like I had to add another pint or so of tranny fluid after driving around the local streets a bit. This process did not make a mess and took very little time.
He removed the lines that ran to the radiator and hooked up a hose to the discharge line (upper?) then started the car and let the old fluid discharge into a bucket until it started to sputter.
He then filled another bucket with synthetic tranny fluid and placed a hose that was hooked to the return line into that bucket.
He does not recommend dropping the pan to change the filter but I can no longer remember his logic.
I did this process on my 91 A4 a few years ago and it went well. It seems like I had to add another pint or so of tranny fluid after driving around the local streets a bit. This process did not make a mess and took very little time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Drop the pan, change the filter. With 130K on the clock suggest a quart of Lucas trans additive.
Fords quit installing the converter drain plug about 2001, Never could drain converters on GM's.
Get a fluid transfer pump, each time the engine oil is changed pump a gallon of trans fluid out through the dipstick tube, install fresh. Unless your towing or racing the trans filter should last 36K.
For the **** guys like me: I use a turkey baster to change master cylinder brake fluid + power steering pump fluid each oil change.
BTW: Quick trans condition check: After setting overnight start the engine & select drive. If the trans takes more than 2 seconds to engage the clutch packs are worn & the seals are hard.
Fords quit installing the converter drain plug about 2001, Never could drain converters on GM's.
Get a fluid transfer pump, each time the engine oil is changed pump a gallon of trans fluid out through the dipstick tube, install fresh. Unless your towing or racing the trans filter should last 36K.
For the **** guys like me: I use a turkey baster to change master cylinder brake fluid + power steering pump fluid each oil change.
BTW: Quick trans condition check: After setting overnight start the engine & select drive. If the trans takes more than 2 seconds to engage the clutch packs are worn & the seals are hard.
Last edited by Churchkey; Jun 10, 2015 at 11:20 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 84
Likes: 9
From: Evansville In
The company I work for will do both type services. Drop pan and change filter, flush, or both together. The one rule they have, is they will not do a flush on a vehicle with over 100,000 miles that has not had some type of service done before.
It has been my experience with a few customers, when they come in asking for a transmission service with high mileage, that has never been serviced, already have a transmission problem. Hoping a maintenance service will fix internal problems. It is best to test drive high mileage vehicles before service to check for problems.
It has been my experience with a few customers, when they come in asking for a transmission service with high mileage, that has never been serviced, already have a transmission problem. Hoping a maintenance service will fix internal problems. It is best to test drive high mileage vehicles before service to check for problems.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 642
Likes: 11
Drop the pan, change the filter. With 130K on the clock suggest a quart of Lucas trans additive.
Fords quit installing the converter drain plug about 2001, Never could drain converters on GM's.
Get a fluid transfer pump, each time the engine oil is changed pump a gallon of trans fluid out through the dipstick tube, install fresh. Unless your towing or racing the trans filter should last 36K.
For the **** guys like me: I use a turkey baster to change master cylinder brake fluid + power steering pump fluid each oil change.
BTW: Quick trans condition check: After setting overnight start the engine & select drive. If the trans takes more than 2 seconds to engage the clutch packs are worn & the seals are hard.
Fords quit installing the converter drain plug about 2001, Never could drain converters on GM's.
Get a fluid transfer pump, each time the engine oil is changed pump a gallon of trans fluid out through the dipstick tube, install fresh. Unless your towing or racing the trans filter should last 36K.
For the **** guys like me: I use a turkey baster to change master cylinder brake fluid + power steering pump fluid each oil change.
BTW: Quick trans condition check: After setting overnight start the engine & select drive. If the trans takes more than 2 seconds to engage the clutch packs are worn & the seals are hard.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 203
From: Trinity FL
I would do fluid & filter with no flush.
On my old Dodge Ram 318 which has the Chrysler 46RE (not the most reliable auto trans) I changed the fluid and filter and also added a drain plug from Jegs to the pan. This way I could change whatever fluid is in the pan every time I do an oil change. So I was essentially replenishing the trans fluid everytime I was changing the oil. At around 130k miles my trans fluid looked brand new and the truck shifted very firm and drove better than when I got it at 60k.
Just an idea for you.
On my old Dodge Ram 318 which has the Chrysler 46RE (not the most reliable auto trans) I changed the fluid and filter and also added a drain plug from Jegs to the pan. This way I could change whatever fluid is in the pan every time I do an oil change. So I was essentially replenishing the trans fluid everytime I was changing the oil. At around 130k miles my trans fluid looked brand new and the truck shifted very firm and drove better than when I got it at 60k.
Just an idea for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
my mechanic said it like this. If you flush and change all of your fluid do it every 50k or don't do it at all. He said that if your over 50k to drop the pan and change that oil and the filter. Said that changing all the fluid puts to much detergent additive back in your tranny and theres varnishes that build up over the years that if removed will cause leaks and other troubles. He said a 100k tranny getting a flush for the first time and having never been serviced before is a money maker for him because you will be back within 6 months with major problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
I bought my 90 with 99,980 miles on it. The owners manual states 100,000 miles for service.
The fluid was still pink when I got the car so, at 102,000 miles I had the transmission shop change the filter then did a flush. That was 3 years ago. No problems, but there was no problems before I had it done either.
There was a transmission repair at 36,000 miles for a front seal leak so I guess there was at least a fluid change at that time since both the transmission and the torque converter were removed from the car at that time. Must be why the fluid looked so good when I got it.
The fluid was still pink when I got the car so, at 102,000 miles I had the transmission shop change the filter then did a flush. That was 3 years ago. No problems, but there was no problems before I had it done either.
There was a transmission repair at 36,000 miles for a front seal leak so I guess there was at least a fluid change at that time since both the transmission and the torque converter were removed from the car at that time. Must be why the fluid looked so good when I got it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,686
Likes: 814
From: Saskatoon Sask.
I doubt I will find anyone here to agree with me, but I don't believe in transmission servicing AT ALL. Several vehicles over my lifetime and all having in excess of 300 - 400 thousand km. justifies my belief.
If you say a transmission shop told you this or that... what do you think they are going to tell you. Transmissions have no access to outside pollutants like an engine does. Inside, there is a magnet to attract natural metal wear. Realistically, if you were to take ALL the disk material on the clutch plates, I doubt you could fill a small soup bowl. If you got that much friction material coming off that it is going to clog your filter, you have much much worse problems.
If you say a transmission shop told you this or that... what do you think they are going to tell you. Transmissions have no access to outside pollutants like an engine does. Inside, there is a magnet to attract natural metal wear. Realistically, if you were to take ALL the disk material on the clutch plates, I doubt you could fill a small soup bowl. If you got that much friction material coming off that it is going to clog your filter, you have much much worse problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 127
From: Ashland Alabama
Im not a big advocate of fluid changes at all either. I have several vehicles with 250k or more miles on them and one with 340k miles that have never had the fluid changed.
But if your going to touch it I recommend a fluid and filter change only.
But if your going to touch it I recommend a fluid and filter change only.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Drop the pan, change the filter. With 130K on the clock suggest a quart of Lucas trans additive.
Fords quit installing the converter drain plug about 2001, Never could drain converters on GM's.
Get a fluid transfer pump, each time the engine oil is changed pump a gallon of trans fluid out through the dipstick tube, install fresh. Unless your towing or racing the trans filter should last 36K.
For the **** guys like me: I use a turkey baster to change master cylinder brake fluid + power steering pump fluid each oil change.
BTW: Quick trans condition check: After setting overnight start the engine & select drive. If the trans takes more than 2 seconds to engage the clutch packs are worn & the seals are hard.
Fords quit installing the converter drain plug about 2001, Never could drain converters on GM's.
Get a fluid transfer pump, each time the engine oil is changed pump a gallon of trans fluid out through the dipstick tube, install fresh. Unless your towing or racing the trans filter should last 36K.
For the **** guys like me: I use a turkey baster to change master cylinder brake fluid + power steering pump fluid each oil change.
BTW: Quick trans condition check: After setting overnight start the engine & select drive. If the trans takes more than 2 seconds to engage the clutch packs are worn & the seals are hard.