Trans Fluid Change on a '99
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 138
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From: Richwood NJ
Trans Fluid Change on a '99
So I'm considering changing out my transmission fluid for Royal Purple Synchromax. I'm up to 80,000 miles and I have no clue if it's ever been changed. My shifts feel very "stiff" so I'm hoping to improve on it. However, I have a '99 and am concerned about damaging the "paper" seals? I read this could be a problems on the older models ('98-'00). Will the Synchromax cause any problems on my '99?
Also, any good writeups on how to change the fluid?
Thanks in advance!
Also, any good writeups on how to change the fluid?
Thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Richwood NJ
Do you think this is something I can pick up when I pick up the fluid? (pepboys, autozone, etc..)
Any advice on the Synchromax. I've been reading conflicting information regarding the Paper Blockers?!?
Any advice on the Synchromax. I've been reading conflicting information regarding the Paper Blockers?!?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I'm not a big 'name brand' fluid pusher, I listen to what the big name trans shops tell me to use
yes on the pump
it's a mess, get a small plastic storage container to keep the leaking quart bottle and pump in
yes on the pump
it's a mess, get a small plastic storage container to keep the leaking quart bottle and pump in
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 115
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From: Tampa FL
Stiffy
I don't know much about the '99 gaskets but I remember reading about it somewhere - a search of the forum should give you the info.
What I do know is that my '00 A4 was flushed with Amsoil ATF a few years ago. I was all excited b/c the tranny was rebuilt (a little) and I had fresh new synthetic. The problem was that after the flush, the shifts were hard. I was a little miffed b/c another tranny shop did this to another car of mine a few years back as a "performance tune" and I figured this time they did the same thing to the vette. Not so. After about a year, I flushed out the Amsoil in the tranny with regular, non-synthetic, ATF and the shift points were back to being smooth.
I don't know about the ATF you are considering but if the viscosity is thicker than the standard stuff, like Amsoil syn ATF was, then you might get the hard shifts.
What I do know is that my '00 A4 was flushed with Amsoil ATF a few years ago. I was all excited b/c the tranny was rebuilt (a little) and I had fresh new synthetic. The problem was that after the flush, the shifts were hard. I was a little miffed b/c another tranny shop did this to another car of mine a few years back as a "performance tune" and I figured this time they did the same thing to the vette. Not so. After about a year, I flushed out the Amsoil in the tranny with regular, non-synthetic, ATF and the shift points were back to being smooth.
I don't know about the ATF you are considering but if the viscosity is thicker than the standard stuff, like Amsoil syn ATF was, then you might get the hard shifts.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 505
Likes: 2
From: VA
I have a '99 FRC and went with Royal Purples synchromax. I didn't have any issues prior and still don't almost a year later.I changed all the fluids because I bought my car used and there were some unknowns. I went though the whole car just so I'd know. I read about all the paper blocker rings and ect...after all the reading I made the decision and have had no issues.
Last edited by XXXLTRP; Mar 29, 2009 at 09:11 PM.
Team Owner
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Huntsville AL
I used Mobile 1 ATF and did not have any issues. One thing to consider. If you drain and fill - you only get about 4 quarts of the 14 or so quarts in the system. You can't drain the torque converter or the coolant lines and cooler. I purchased 15 quarts (took the extra back) and took to the local chevy dealer quick service center and had them do a complete flush with my fluid. Cost was $75.00 for the service plus the fluid (yea it was expensive over just 4 quarts of fluid). Now I have all synthetic in there. And since you only change it every 100,000 miles, figured it was worth the extra.
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I used Mobile 1 ATF and did not have any issues. One thing to consider. If you drain and fill - you only get about 4 quarts of the 14 or so quarts in the system. You can't drain the torque converter or the coolant lines and cooler. I purchased 15 quarts (took the extra back) and took to the local chevy dealer quick service center and had them do a complete flush with my fluid. Cost was $75.00 for the service plus the fluid (yea it was expensive over just 4 quarts of fluid). Now I have all synthetic in there. And since you only change it every 100,000 miles, figured it was worth the extra.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Richwood NJ
I'm working with an M6, not an A4.
Just want to make sure the Royal Purple Synchromax won't do any damage on a '99 (paper blockers).
Alternately, I've been hearing the Amsoil brand is okay for paper blockers... any advice on either of the two brands?
Just want to make sure the Royal Purple Synchromax won't do any damage on a '99 (paper blockers).
Alternately, I've been hearing the Amsoil brand is okay for paper blockers... any advice on either of the two brands?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
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From: Milwaukee Wi
I know one of the sponsors told me to use the cheap Advance Auto parts ATF in mine. I did in their level 5 tranny with no issues. It isn't synthetic either. I have Amsoil in it now and have installed Amsoil in a few of the 97-2000 vettes with no issues.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: VA
Kinda off topic but, I also have Royal Purple ATF in my F350( trans and transfer case), and their gear oil in the front and rear differentials. No issues.
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
But one of the biggest and best known here DO say to NOT use any synthetic fluid in their (6 spd) transmissions AT ALL. Then in the same breath, they turn around and say if you DO want use a synthetic of some kind, ONLY use Royal Purple Synchromax. I realize Synchromax is not an ATF, but why the complete and total "ban" on any (synthetic) Dexron III rated ATF?
Ummm..........WTF?? Puzzle me that one.
Ummm..........WTF?? Puzzle me that one.
Last edited by LoneStarFRC; Mar 31, 2009 at 12:14 AM. Reason: error correction
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Belleville Il
I've used RP for 16,000 miles with 5 trips to test and tune and 13 dyno pulls,,,,NO PROBLEM!! There used to be a sticky that had the info that RP was safe for the "paper blockers",which mine has as well.Relax and enjoy,,I was very satisfied with the drain and fill with RP!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
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From: Brentwood TN
ANY fluid that meets GM specs will work. I used O'Reilly. Got the pump at Harborfreight for five bucks. Changed the fluid at 84,000. It was grating going into sixth if shifted rapidly into sixth at relatively low vehicle speed. Filled the tranny, took the car to a local office complex on a weekend with empty parking lot, did a couple dozen tight figure eights at gradually higher speeds to get fluid into every nook and cranny of the posi unit. Have not had a single rough shift since.
If you you have shifting issues with your 6 speed, change the fluid and drive the car a couple hundred miles before you pop for a rebuild.
Charlie
If you you have shifting issues with your 6 speed, change the fluid and drive the car a couple hundred miles before you pop for a rebuild.
Charlie
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Richwood NJ
If you you have shifting issues with your 6 speed, change the fluid and drive the car a couple hundred miles before you pop for a rebuild.
Most of the threads I've read on RP Syncromax seem to say this will cure my problems. Let's hope so. I'll be giving it a try this weekend and will post my results!
ANY fluid that meets GM specs will work
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Bear in mind that RP Synchromax is NOT an ATF at all. I've heard a number of good comments here over the years about it, but technically speaking, it does NOT meet "GM spec".
HTH