Transmission Fluid Change - 180k miles

[Adrian17]

Had my truck for about 1 and a half years also the second owner. Not to long ago helped my brother change his trans fluid on his Duramax and got to thinking about mine. My truck has the 4L80E trans. Thing is truck has 180k miles on it and dont know if its ever had it done. Truck shifts fine with no problmes what so ever. Also towed with it about 5 times never anything heavy. Think its a good idea to change it out?

[Raptordude]

How many miles did it have when you bought it?

 

Either way, it's definitely worth doing.

 

You've towed 5 times? Lol. These are HD trucks, that's what they're built for

 

 

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[mattymax]

Drain, change filter and refill with good fluid. Don't do a flush

[Colossus]

It depends on what kind of shape your fluid is in now. If the fluid looks and smells ok, I wouldn't have any issue flushing. If the fluid smells old and burnt then your tranny is already on it's way out. With 186,000 miles, your tranny is already getting near the point of needing a rebuild, as it is.

[Z45]

Do a pan drop. Whats in the bottom of the pan will tell a lot about the tran condition. Sediment = clutch wear. No sediment, good shape.

[Adrian17]

How many miles did it have when you bought it?

 

Either way, it's definitely worth doing.

 

You've towed 5 times? Lol. These are HD trucks, that's what they're built for

 

 

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Had about 160k when I bought it. And yea I got it with the reason of needing to tow things but it dident work out.

[Adrian17]

It depends on what kind of shape your fluid is in now. If the fluid looks and smells ok, I wouldn't have any issue flushing. If the fluid smells old and burnt then your tranny is already on it's way out. With 186,000 miles, your tranny is already getting near the point of needing a rebuild, as it is.

Fluid is not bright pink as it should be but more darker. And really the trans is on its way out? Kinda scaring me lol, my dads tahoe has 200k and trans fluid done about 1 or 2 times and hes had since like 40k miles. And like I said the tans shifts good feels good no skips or anything so thats why im sort of confused.

[Adrian17]

Do a pan drop. Whats in the bottom of the pan will tell a lot about the tran condition. Sediment = clutch wear. No sediment, good shape.

So if I do the pan drop and find some sediments it did more harm than good to have changed the fluid?

[Adrian17]

W

[Black02Silverado]

Do a pan drop. Whats in the bottom of the pan will tell a lot about the tran condition. Sediment = clutch wear. No sediment, good shape.

This is what I would do. Since you said the fluid isn't bright pink but dark that is normal. You would know if it was in bad shape. The smell is hard to miss.

[Adrian17]

This is what I would do. Since you said the fluid isn't bright pink but dark that is normal. You would know if it was in bad shape. The smell is hard to miss.

Really? I havent smelled it but just seen it by the color on the paper towel when I check it and I do check it often. Ill go see and smell ot right now. So it would smell basically just burnt or how do you figure.

[Black02Silverado]

Really? I havent smelled it but just seen it by the color on the paper towel when I check it and I do check it often. Ill go see and smell ot right now. So it would smell basically just burnt or how do you figure.

At least to me, ATF fluid that has been in use a long time and overheated has a strong odor to it. From what you described I think you will be fine.

[Adrian17]

At least to me, ATF fluid that has been in use a long time and overheated has a strong odor to it. From what you described I think you will be fine.

Fluid does smell a bit burned. Compared to a barrel of Dextron 3 I have here. But like i said its not black or dark by anymeans, you can still see the pinkness but its not bright, what fluid do you recomend using?

[Raptordude]

I would drain, drop the pan, inspect it, clean it out, pop a new filter on, put the pan on (re use stock gasket) and top it off. No transmission is bulletproof, but these 4l80s are tough! Scroll down a bit, there's a thread on here about a guy with 350,000 miles on his factory 4l80, said he towed 12-13k pounds on a nearly daily basis

 

 

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[Adrian17]

I would drain, drop the pan, inspect it, clean it out, pop a new filter on, put the pan on (re use stock gasket) and top it off. No transmission is bulletproof, but these 4l80s are tough! Scroll down a bit, there's a thread on here about a guy with 350,000 miles on his factory 4l80, said he towed 12-13k pounds on a nearly daily basis

 

 

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Ok will do