2006 M6 Fluid Changes 83k miles
#1
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Thread Starter
2006 M6 Fluid Changes 83k miles
i’m not sure why Chevrolet does not specify a maintenance interval for the power steering, brakes, clutch, M6 transmission fluid or the rear axle.
My car had two previous owners and was in South Florida its entire life.
83,000 miles is not much on a 14-year-old car.
The power steering fluid was the first to go since I had to replace the harmonic balancer.
It was clear believe it or not.
The next to go was the M6 transmission fluid.
The drain/fill fittings had never been removed.
The fluid was black. Not even a hint of red.
I removed most of the fluid with a Mityvac.
When I drained and cleaned out the Mityvac there was all sorts of trash -
most of it white in color. I assume that is the friction material off the syncronizers.
There was a frightening amount of it.
Changed the rear axle oil, it looked typical for 83,000 miles - dark, no trash, no unusual odor.
Heads up the GM replacement fluid is nearly completely clear.
Then comes the brake fluid.
Last night did the pressure bleed of the system two times.
Brake fluid was a very dark gray/light black.
Quite a few floaty’s in it.
It took 2 quarts to get it cleaned out using the tech2 automated ABS pressure bleed method.
In hindsight I probably should have drained the system and run denatured alcohol through it entirely. The reservoir Still has a considerable amount of black stuff on the walls.
While you can do it by yourself I highly recommend having a friend in the cockpit.
I’ve got the clutch to do tonight. The clutch fluid looks like an espresso.
i’ll update with my findings.
My car had two previous owners and was in South Florida its entire life.
83,000 miles is not much on a 14-year-old car.
The power steering fluid was the first to go since I had to replace the harmonic balancer.
It was clear believe it or not.
The next to go was the M6 transmission fluid.
The drain/fill fittings had never been removed.
The fluid was black. Not even a hint of red.
I removed most of the fluid with a Mityvac.
When I drained and cleaned out the Mityvac there was all sorts of trash -
most of it white in color. I assume that is the friction material off the syncronizers.
There was a frightening amount of it.
Changed the rear axle oil, it looked typical for 83,000 miles - dark, no trash, no unusual odor.
Heads up the GM replacement fluid is nearly completely clear.
Then comes the brake fluid.
Last night did the pressure bleed of the system two times.
Brake fluid was a very dark gray/light black.
Quite a few floaty’s in it.
It took 2 quarts to get it cleaned out using the tech2 automated ABS pressure bleed method.
In hindsight I probably should have drained the system and run denatured alcohol through it entirely. The reservoir Still has a considerable amount of black stuff on the walls.
While you can do it by yourself I highly recommend having a friend in the cockpit.
I’ve got the clutch to do tonight. The clutch fluid looks like an espresso.
i’ll update with my findings.
Last edited by 72greg; 02-26-2020 at 07:29 AM.
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rc51racer (02-27-2020)
#2
Instructor
I just replaced all my fluids over the past several days. My car has 47k miles and my trans fluid was bright red and clean, as was the power steering, diff was a medium grey, clutch and brakes were almost espresso. Lol. Everything is as clear as a bell now though.
#3
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Thread Starter
Clutch was easy using the syringe and 1/8” hose
took a couple of rounds for it to clear up.
Amazing difference how smooth the clutch was after the change!
Darkfader, your buggy a manual or auto?
took a couple of rounds for it to clear up.
Amazing difference how smooth the clutch was after the change!
Darkfader, your buggy a manual or auto?
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#5
Pro
Thread Starter
I should have noticed the rear fender bulges
That is a beautiful car Josh!
I'm going to bet that the previous owner had the tranny fluid swapped out,..
What did you refill the tranny with?
I used Mobil 1 Synthetic
That is a beautiful car Josh!
I'm going to bet that the previous owner had the tranny fluid swapped out,..
What did you refill the tranny with?
I used Mobil 1 Synthetic
#6
Instructor
Thank you, I went with the factory fill on the trans and diff. After a 30-ish mike shakedown yesterday, everything felt really smooth. We’ll see how it acts through the summer before I try out a different brand.
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72greg (02-27-2020)
#7
Just hit 30k miles on my 2005 I purchased last year (26k when I bought it) changing ALL of the fluids so I know what's in there. Trans and rear diff definitely needed the fresh fluid.
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72greg (03-01-2020)
#8
Pro
Thread Starter
As a note if you were going to bleed the brakes with the tech2 be aware it’s going to go through about a quart of fluid. After doing the Tech2 ABS procedure two times my brake pedal was still soft. Ended up finishing it off with an old-school bleed with my wife pumping the brakes, we did 3 cycles at each caliper with her pressing the pedal to the floor after I opened the bleeder valve. Now have a solid paddle. 💪
Last edited by 72greg; 03-01-2020 at 07:44 AM.
#9
I just reached out to local Chevy dealership earlier this week for quote and the Corvette tech told the person quoting out service... the m6 trans fluid and diff service interval was 40k. I assume this is printed in the owners manual but haven't confirmed.
Last edited by SlothX311; 03-02-2020 at 09:29 AM.