Auto trans fluid recirculation change
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 57
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Auto trans fluid recirculation change
I just bought a '96, 41K miles, with good looking fluid except some dark particles I assume are clutch. This isn't the dreaded condition where you don't change the fluid and save for a rebuild is it?
How important is the procedure where they hook it up to a machine that recirculates fluid throughout the trans, but don't change the filter?
How important is the procedure where they hook it up to a machine that recirculates fluid throughout the trans, but don't change the filter?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 744
Likes: 13
From: Lenoir City TN
If you see anything in the fluid, thats not a good sign. I would take it to a good shop, if you can't do this yourself, and drop the pan so you can see whats inside. If the clutches are coming apart you'll find larger pieces in the bottom of the pan, then you'll know if a rebuild is in the future. If you have a shop do it be sure you're there so you can see whats in the pan when it comes off. Real fine material is normal do to wear, larger pieces are bad. If you find large pieces the sooner you get a rebuild the less chance you will have any damaged hard parts.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
That machine is a no go. It removes all of the old fluid and puts in new ATF. The new ATF cleans the material out of the transmission, brings it down to the pan and clogs the filter, starves the trans of fluid and slips and burns up the trans. Your best bet would be to drop the pan as said, and change the fluid in the pan and the filter/gasket. That will put some new ATF in, but it will not harm the trans.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 57
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How about if I have the recirculation done, then drive it home and change the filter myself? Sounds like i would be getting the benefit of a clean trans without the drawback. I want this thing to live for awhile.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,699
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Just do it yourself; drop the pan, clean it and change the filter, bolt it back up. Put 4 quarts of new tranny fluid in. Disconnect the return line (upper line going to the tranny). Run the tranny until 3 quarts of old oil come out (a 5 gallon container will work). Shut the motor off, put in 3 more quarts. Run the motor again. Shut off after 3 quarts out. Repeat, repeat. After you get around 10 quarts out, all the old fluid will be gone replaced with fresh stuff. You'll have a new filter and you can drive for another 100k miles.
