tran fluid change save $$$

[casey]

I talked to a trans specialist the other day about changing my trans fluid, I said I don't know if it had ever been done, I heard if it's never been changed don't, he said thats bs do it, take off the pan clean it and the filter screen, but I said doing the pan only changes about 3 or 4 L oil, I said what do think about those guys that do trans flushes, to the tune of 130.00 $ plus, he said why don't you buy the oil and do it yourself, and save some money, I'm all ears, he said take off one of the trans line to the cooler, direct it into a bucket, and keep pouring oil into the transmission while it's running,the transmission has a pump in it of course, do it till the fluid is clean, It might cost you 30$ in oil. He said give yourself a pat on the back, you saved a 100 bucks, I'm going to try it

[1971 Cheyenne]

good stuff to know... thanks

[old Rusty C10]

i remember when Lee Myles started doing those transfusions they wound up burning out more trannys than they could handle. I never change the fluid on a transmission unless its under a factory warranty my one truck has 70K on it and the trann fluid is still cherry red

[Class of 69]

I agree with old rusty... have tried this myself, and you can't refill the pan quick enough to stay with the amount coming out from the line!! I run mine now just until the flow sputters, and shut it off! Refill the pan, and run it again. Do this when it is cold, and for as many times as necessary to get clean flow. Have fun, try to stay clean LOL

[cableguy0]

wow what you guys are doing isnt exactly the greatest idea considering if that tranny runs outta fluid ur gonna start metal to metal contact dish out the cash and have it flushed its worth it compared to the aggrevation and mess the method you guys are talkin about causes

[Longhorn Man]

I kinda look at it like this.
Chainge the fluid before it gets dark. Then you won't really need to flush it.
I do mine every year. Did it on the wife's last daily driver every year too...fluid was always nice and red, even after 140K.

[casey]

Well two things I was told that just cause the tranny fluid is red doesn't mean it's ok cause it's the additives that break down in the oil, and the other alternitive to a flush is the tranny man told me what he did is put a bolt in plug in the tranny pan, and changes what ever is in the pan twice a year, just to keep adding some fresh oil. believe it or not

[cableguy0]

well the best way is to drill a hole in the convertor and put a plug in it as well as the plug in the pan then you can get 90% of the fluid out.

[casey]

I agree cableguyO I noticed the torgue converter in my ford has a plug in it from the factory, but how do you know were to drill it?

[cableguy0]

drill near where the convertor starts to round off on the transmission side make sure you drill straight so the plug will install properly but just use a brass plug. a short one is best a lot less chance of it being torn off. just drill between where the weld marks are on the verter

[Blue68]

Two things, if you are going to pull one tranny line, pull them both. Fill a 5 gallon bucket with fluid (what, maybe 12 quarts) and put the 'suction' side in the fresh fluid and the 'discharge' side in an empty bucket. fire it up and go through a few gear changes while someone keeps a keen eye on the fresh fluid level. When it's at or near empty, shut it down. Oh yea, make measurements on the outsides of the buckets so you put in as much as you take out to get close. This keeps you from pumping it dry by pumping it right in behind it.

Other thing, wouldn't a drain plug on a converter throw it out of balance if it wasn't made for it?

I like the idea myself but I just drop the pan and replace what's there. So long as you do it on a fairly regular basis (every two years at least or about 30k) you should be fine unless you haul loads or a trail, then more often is better.