Transmission troubles after changing fluid
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Think I need an attorney?
Originally was going to do it myself. Purchased filter, gasket etc. Then decided to take it to the dealer which insisted the power flush instead of dropping the pan. (1998 99,000) Picked it up next day, drive 20 min, dash reads HIGH TRANS TEMP. let it cool took it back again high temp on the way back. Figuring it was low on fluid. Next day dealer calls, says trans is working and shifting fluid lvl is good and and no overheat. I go straight there take it for a spin. 60 mph 15 min. High Temp, 262 deg, then, TRANS FLUID HOT 282 DEG. Cool it off take it back, show photos of dash. 4 days later, dealer calls, "Your trans is shot plus it has no reverse. "NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY, WE JUST CHANGED FLUID AS YOU ASKED"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally was going to do it myself. Purchased filter, gasket etc. Then decided to take it to the dealer which insisted the power flush instead of dropping the pan. (1998 99,000) Picked it up next day, drive 20 min, dash reads HIGH TRANS TEMP. let it cool took it back again high temp on the way back. Figuring it was low on fluid. Next day dealer calls, says trans is working and shifting fluid lvl is good and and no overheat. I go straight there take it for a spin. 60 mph 15 min. High Temp, 262 deg, then, TRANS FLUID HOT 282 DEG. Cool it off take it back, show photos of dash. 4 days later, dealer calls, "Your trans is shot plus it has no reverse. "NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY, WE JUST CHANGED FLUID AS YOU ASKED"
I have an attorney who loves to deal with these guys.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 714
Likes: 104
From: Springfield Ohio
It makes no sense to flush the transmission and not change the filter. The filter is there for a reason - to trap small particles that would damage the trans if they were allowed to circulate. If the filter clogs and prevents fluid from flowing normally then you lose the transmission. A trans with many miles and worn clutch plates can also have problems after a fluid change because the old fluid had just enough friction material in it from the clutch plates to keep it shifting. The new fluid doesn't contain the friction material and the trans will have problems. Doesn't mean the fluid change caused the problem, the trans was going to fail at any rate - just not quite so soon.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 477
Likes: 48
I recently took my 2002 w/100000 miles to a dealer close to me for a state inspection, oil change(they let me bring my own oil & filter), power steering flush and replace the tranny and rear end fluid. They have a dedicated tech who does nothing but Corvettes and he advised me not to flush the tranny but just a drain and filter change is all that's necessary. I have been using this dealer for almost 4 yrs ( they just recently installed my C6 shocks & Z51 sway bars--lowered it for me too) and they have been honest, straightforward and fair to this point. Not all are bad but it pays to know who will be working on your car and what experience they have w/Corvettes. Do some research before you commit your baby to anyone and life will be much more pleasant ( and cheaper too ). 
By the way--They don't do everything for me...I switched out my brake pads & rotors, fixed my EBCM and OPS as well as some of the smaller issues that plague our cars ( interior lighting , rocking seats, headlight gears etc...) all of these I learned to do from this forum so I was able to keep my car right where I prefer it to be-----with me.
Thank you for that .
By the way--They don't do everything for me...I switched out my brake pads & rotors, fixed my EBCM and OPS as well as some of the smaller issues that plague our cars ( interior lighting , rocking seats, headlight gears etc...) all of these I learned to do from this forum so I was able to keep my car right where I prefer it to be-----with me.
Thank you for that .
Last edited by lonerider2002; Aug 18, 2017 at 01:54 PM. Reason: added thought
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
It makes no sense to flush the transmission and not change the filter. The filter is there for a reason - to trap small particles that would damage the trans if they were allowed to circulate. If the filter clogs and prevents fluid from flowing normally then you lose the transmission. A trans with many miles and worn clutch plates can also have problems after a fluid change because the old fluid had just enough friction material in it from the clutch plates to keep it shifting. The new fluid doesn't contain the friction material and the trans will have problems. Doesn't mean the fluid change caused the problem, the trans was going to fail at any rate - just not quite so soon.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
This is why you shouldn't do a FLUSH on a transmission needing regular maintenance .
I did a flush couple years ago on a 2000.. But that being said, it was only to change ALL the fluid over to Dexron VI.. I did a pan/gasket service on it the week before I did the
fluid exchange. SO I did not push thru all the debris the filter and pan had in them.
Also, my trans is serviced every 15k for last 100k miles, so all was clean beforehand.
I did a flush couple years ago on a 2000.. But that being said, it was only to change ALL the fluid over to Dexron VI.. I did a pan/gasket service on it the week before I did the
fluid exchange. SO I did not push thru all the debris the filter and pan had in them.
Also, my trans is serviced every 15k for last 100k miles, so all was clean beforehand.
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Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Thanks for the info. Does anyone know of past threads regarding this issue of changing the trans filter and fluid verses just power flushing. I have a meeting scheduled with the Dealers service manager and it may be helpful.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
May need to talk to that attorney for advice.
Have seen this post many times over the years with the same results. Most Forum members drop the pan/add the filter etc. Damn, I hate dealerships...high prices, low competence and are never responsible for problems they create.
I have an attorney who loves to deal with these guys.
I have an attorney who loves to deal with these guys.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
[QUOTE=foggy;1595393298]
Also, my trans is serviced every 15k for last 100k miles, /QUOTE]
Foggy,
What is done during your every 15k trans service?
Also, my trans is serviced every 15k for last 100k miles, /QUOTE]
Foggy,
What is done during your every 15k trans service?
Last edited by jrprich; Aug 22, 2017 at 02:19 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Have known a number of people that this has happened to after "flushing", and not just GM and not just Corvettes. Especially on a high mileage transmission that has had little fluid changing over the miles.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
my mechanic who i take my DD to. will not flush the trans fluid unless it has been done regularly. he says its the kiss of death.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 206
Likes: 47
From: southwest coast florida
by Flushing your tranny dealer ruined it.....NEVER power flush with a machine auto trannys. they need to install a reman'd tranny because of their negligence.....no charge. consult a lawyer.
just had a pan drop and filter change done with new Delco 6 synth tranny fluid by my excellent C5 mechanic,,,shifts like new....but only 19500 k miles..repeat this same service at approx. 50k miles.'01 C5
I declined to buy a low mileage C5 automatic because of a recent power transmission flush.....
just had a pan drop and filter change done with new Delco 6 synth tranny fluid by my excellent C5 mechanic,,,shifts like new....but only 19500 k miles..repeat this same service at approx. 50k miles.'01 C5
I declined to buy a low mileage C5 automatic because of a recent power transmission flush.....
Last edited by bigthaw; Aug 30, 2022 at 01:11 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
And this is why flushing gets a bad rap. Never flush with the machine, it knocks crap loose. Absolutely perform a full flush using the transmission's own pump. Start by dropping the pan, install a new filter, refill over by 2 quarts. Disconnect cooler return line, shove a hose over it, put hose in bucket/jug. Start car, idle out a gallon, shut it down. Dump another gallon down its throat, idle it out. You want to push 3-4 gallons out this way to have all new fluid in the trans. This will NOT cause problems, I promise.
Break/break
How did the car drive when it got hot? It must have been acting funny to actually get hot, if it got hot.
Break/break
How did the car drive when it got hot? It must have been acting funny to actually get hot, if it got hot.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 324
From: Mid Ohio
And this is why flushing gets a bad rap. Never flush with the machine, it knocks crap loose. Absolutely perform a full flush using the transmission's own pump. Start by dropping the pan, install a new filter, refill over by 2 quarts. Disconnect cooler return line, shove a hose over it, put hose in bucket/jug. Start car, idle out a gallon, shut it down. Dump another gallon down its throat, idle it out. You want to push 3-4 gallons out this way to have all new fluid in the trans. This will NOT cause problems, I promise.
Here is a post I made on my Jag in which I used this exact method to flush --> https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...h-tips-215808/
(the jag doesn't have a fill tube so I used the pump to feed new fluid into the disconnected trans cooler line)