Transmision flush VS Dropping pan and filter

[jaslo]

I talked to the local chevy dealer today. He says that dropping the pan and changing the filter only changes about 4 out of the 12 quarts of fluid. Where the flush changes it all out and new fluid and filter. My question which one have you guys got done and are you having problems with your transmission now?

[asilverblazer]

My reason for vote can be found here.

[Black02Silverado]

I did the complete fluid exchange on mine at 8k miles, but that was because I wanted to fill it up with synthetic ATF while it was still new. I now have 67k on it and the ATF is still nice and pink. I haul some and have a 5400lb. boat I tow some in the summer.

 

I would just drop the pan, clean it all up and replace the filter. Then at every engine oil change for the next 4 changes, just drain your transmission as well and top it off. Don't take the pan off, just drain it. That way you get a fluid exchange over time to have it completely changed out with no major shock to the system. Not to mention it saves on the wallet.

[alvocado]

Anyone have experience with non-AC Delco ATF filter kits like Fram? It looks like the Delco kit is pretty pricey.

[MS3DALE]

I do both,I have the shop flush the fluid first then drop the pan and change the filter and top it off.

I do it about every 30,000 miles.

I won't do just a flush or just a pan drop/filter change,I always do both.

[jaslo]

Well to the way that everyone has voted and to what I have done to my 01 pickup and still have had no problems, I guess I will just go with the pan and drop and filter and just change it again at 100,000 miles.

[busta]

Talked to my mechanic i go to for pretty much everything and he recomends dropping the pan w/ a filter change...taking it in Thursday to have it done...so hopefully nothing happens afterwards

[fyarbrou]

Drop the pan and replace the ATF fluid and filter. Drive it for a few weeks and then drain a few more quarts of ATF out and replace it. Repeat this process 4 times or so until you have basically replaced all old ATF fluid. Most light trucks hold 12 to 13 quarts I believe.

 

The reason for this method is that it allows you to gradually introduce new ATF into the transmission. From what I have been told, ATF is a VERY good cleaning fluid and it will most definetly remove old buildup from the transmission. This can cause problems and in essence, you can cause the transmission to fail by making a drastic change in its normal operating state.

[Tahoe2]

Drop the pan and replace the ATF fluid and filter.  Drive it for a few weeks and then drain a few more quarts of ATF out and replace it.  Repeat this process 4 times or so until you have basically replaced all old ATF fluid.  Most light trucks hold 12 to 13 quarts I believe.

 

The reason for this method is that it allows you to gradually introduce new ATF into the transmission.  From what I have been told, ATF is a VERY good cleaning fluid and it will most definetly remove old buildup from the transmission.  This can cause problems and in essence, you can cause the transmission to fail by making a drastic change in its normal operating state.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Hmm very interesting is going from dino to syn cause problems?

[willieboy]

I do both,I have the shop flush the fluid first then drop the pan and change the filter and top it off.

I do it about every 30,000 miles.

I won't do just a flush or just a pan drop/filter change,I always do both.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

This is what the shop I have been going to for years recommends and does.

[WI_Dave]

I prefer the flush. I used to work at an oilchange place and saw the difference

when you drop the pan there is alot that does not come out. I also drop the pan

to occasionally to clean magnet.

[averagehonky]

I went with the flush and synthetic. Now I'm experiencing some slippage. Only 16,000 miles on truck when I did this. I'd recommend dino ATF myself.

[srlbotanical]

I like to drop the pan so I can get it real clean. This is the system I follow:

 

- Drop the pan and drain as much as possible

- put the pan back on with 6-7 bolts

- refill the tranny (usually about 4 qts)

- Run the engine for about 10 mins and move through all the gears.

- drop the pan again and change out the filter.

- replace pan with all bolts and fill to correct level.

 

I like to do this every 30K. I clean the pan until it shines inside and out.

[fyarbrou]

Drop the pan and replace the ATF fluid and filter.  Drive it for a few weeks and then drain a few more quarts of ATF out and replace it.  Repeat this process 4 times or so until you have basically replaced all old ATF fluid.  Most light trucks hold 12 to 13 quarts I believe.

 

The reason for this method is that it allows you to gradually introduce new ATF into the transmission.  From what I have been told, ATF is a VERY good cleaning fluid and it will most definetly remove old buildup from the transmission.  This can cause problems and in essence, you can cause the transmission to fail by making a drastic change in its normal operating state.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Hmm very interesting is going from dino to syn cause problems?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

 

I would watch going from dino to synthetic on a higher mileage vehicle. I know for sure that switching to synthetic oil on a higher mileage vehicle normally causes the valve cover gaskets to leak. The synthetics have a smaller molecular structure than the dinos and will work through the microscopic cracks in gaskets and such. I would imagine that similar issues could result in switching to synthetic ATF for the transmission on a higher mileage vehicle. My belief is that at this stage you would be well ahead of the game to simply swap out a few quarts of the old ATF with fresh new ATF every 9K miles or so. That is just my opinion. The synthetic fluids are definitely capable of handling higher temperatures and are superior to dino fluids in many ways. If you want to run with synthetics, then start with them at a low mileage and continue throughout the life of the vehicle. Don’t decide at 80K to pamper your vehicle by switching to synthetics. Most damage is done by then anyway and you will only cause more problems if not failures.

[HahnvilleKev]

What is the consensus to refill with, Dexron III or Dexron VI ???