Transmission Fluid and Filter change recommendation

[wishin]

My 2004 Silverado with the 4.8 engine now has 127k of "normal" driving. The auto transmission shifts like it did when I left the showroom. I changed the trans fluid (only that which was in the pan) at 60K and am now debating a trans oil & filter change, along with scheduled fluid changes at subsequent 3K intervals thereafter, to totally replace all the old fluid after 4 changes. A local shop trans repair shop advises against it, saying it may lead to problems.. (They may have an ulterior motive.)

Has anyone here experienced a problem after such an action? To be clear, I am dead-set against a flush, as opposed to an oil and filter change, so will not entertain that idea.

I thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences in this regard.

[txab]

Nothing wrong with your plan

[Black02Silverado]

That will work great.  A gradual change out is good and doesn't shock the system so to speak.  Plus it is lighter on the wallet.

[Grumpy Bear]

That plan is working for me. Keep on keep' n on. 

[dukbludvl]

I had an issue doing this with my 2000 yukon 5.3 2wd with the 4L60E.  I dropped the pan and changed the filter and topped off with new fluid every 40-50k miles.  At 161k miles I did that and it started slipping bad.  Next day I could get out of first gear.  

[intheburbs]

I do flushes.  Have never had transmission issues on 3 trucks, totaling 600,000 miles.  It's the only time I bring them to a dealership.

[Grumpy Bear]

7 hours ago, intheburbs said:

I do flushes.  Have never had transmission issues on 3 trucks, totaling 600,000 miles.  It's the only time I bring them to a dealership.

How often do you flush them and when is the first one done? 

[intheburbs]

15 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

How often do you flush them and when is the first one done? 

My Denali, I do every 50k.  Easy to remember.  I don't tow with it, but I do drive it kinda hard.  Power corrupts. 

 

My Suburban, if I'm towing with it a lot, I've done it as frequently  as every 30k.  I basically check the fluid every few fuel fills, letting it drip onto a clean, white piece of paper towel.  Still pinkish red, still smells detergenty?  GTG

Brown and sorta burned smelling?  Time to flush.

 

My '01 has 275k hard miles on it, still the original 4L60E, despite blowing up three rear ends because I was towing really heavy stuff.  A friend now owns it.  The '08 2500 has 205k, all original, and still runs flawlessly.  The Denali has 125k, also the original trans, though I just had to replace the front diff.

[Grumpy Bear]

2 hours ago, intheburbs said:

My Denali, I do every 50k.  Easy to remember.  I don't tow with it, but I do drive it kinda hard.  Power corrupts. 

 

My Suburban, if I'm towing with it a lot, I've done it as frequently  as every 30k.  I basically check the fluid every few fuel fills, letting it drip onto a clean, white piece of paper towel.  Still pinkish red, still smells detergenty?  GTG

Brown and sorta burned smelling?  Time to flush.

 

My '01 has 275k hard miles on it, still the original 4L60E, despite blowing up three rear ends because I was towing really heavy stuff.  A friend now owns it.  The '08 2500 has 205k, all original, and still runs flawlessly.  The Denali has 125k, also the original trans, though I just had to replace the front diff.

Seems there is a reason you don't have issues with flushes then.  

 

It's the people that let it go until the fluid looks like chocolate milk that have issues with the flush method. 

[sefiroxx]

Do not do a shop power flush. It can force small particles into tiny crevices that need to allow movement (valve/Valve body, solenoid, etch

You can use the tranny pump to pump out old fluid as you are adding new. This will allow a flush using the std fluid paths and direction.

Drop pan
Change filter
Reinstall pan and top off.
Disconnect upper tranny pipe from radiator
Install to the radiator a threaded fitting/barbed end
Connect a chest vinyl hose to the the barbed end, over the top of the radiator and into a 5G bucket.
Start engine, monitor hose via the hood gap, shift thru gears.
Stop engine after 30-45 as secs. Refill with new fluid roughly matching fluid in bucket.
Repeat until you see clear red fluid at the vinyl.
Disconnect/reconnect all
Top off tranny using std procedures.

04 GMC, changed at 20k and every 75k
01 Burb, 75k
92 Fleetwood, 25-30k (std factory recommendations, the ecu will even throw bad codes once the fluid gets to 25-30k)

[CapitalTruck]

I have had success doing pan/filter (no major flush procedures) every 40-45k.  I use ACDelco Full Syn Dex VI.  A change takes 5 quarts.