Tranny fluid at 100k miles

rjirvine · March 7, 2006

I hate to beat a dead horse because this has been asked ad nasuem, but am confused on changing tranny fluid. I am coming up on 100k miles on my truck. I'm thinking of taking it in to the dealer and having him flush it. It's a 2000 Silverado 4x4 with a 5.3. I asked a service manager about changing the filter too and he said on the newer trucks they don't replace the filter because its basically just a metal screen. I wasn't sure if he was BSing me or not because I've never changed transmission fluid before. Since I basically do all my own maintenance, I'd like to do it myself. I kind of like the idea thats been posted on changing the filter and topping off the fluid and then just draining the fluid again after a few hundred miles. I'll get a new trans drain bolt before I start. Anybody have 2 cents to add?

Also, how do I know if I have a deep pan or a shallow pan?

01z71 · March 7, 2006

Well, I would not do a flush. I would just drop the pan, change the filter (Not a metal screen its an actual plastic container with the filter element within.) Clean the magnet in the pan, and clean the pan real good too.

I tackled this project myself and I would definitely take it on again.

That my $.02!

Good Luck!!

ken1mod · March 7, 2006

Well, I would not do a flush. I would just drop the pan, change the filter (Not a metal screen its an actual plastic container with the filter element within.) Clean the magnet in the pan, and clean the pan real good too.

I tackled this project myself and I would definitely take it on again.

That my $.02!

Good Luck!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gentlemen,

It is much more important to change the filter than get new oil. If the filter plugs, remember it is in the suction side so plugging is easy, pressure drops, clutches slip for a few minutes and metal puree results.

Always change the filter! If I am not mistaken, manufacturers have clearly condemned the practice of flushing with no filter change.

I always had the feeling that the flushing machine flushed the hairballs from the previous trans into mine.

Doing this work is an easy rather fun job, super clean too if the plug allows draining before pan removal.

ken

bowtie_pasta · March 7, 2006

Did GM finally wise up an start installing drain plugs on tranny pans? I sure hope my '06 Tahoe has one.

MMM · March 7, 2006

Well, I would not do a flush. I would just drop the pan, change the filter (Not a metal screen its an actual plastic container with the filter element within.) Clean the magnet in the pan, and clean the pan real good too.

I tackled this project myself and I would definitely take it on again.

That my $.02!

Good Luck!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gentlemen,

It is much more important to change the filter than get new oil. If the filter plugs, remember it is in the suction side so plugging is easy, pressure drops, clutches slip for a few minutes and metal puree results.

Always change the filter! If I am not mistaken, manufacturers have clearly condemned the practice of flushing with no filter change.

I always had the feeling that the flushing machine flushed the hairballs from the previous trans into mine.

Doing this work is an easy rather fun job, super clean too if the plug allows draining before pan removal.

ken

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ken, that's my thoughts exactly. No matter what you do, there is no substitution for changing the filter. This is a must. MMM

asepgrad98 · March 7, 2006

you have the deep pan if there is a step in it(2 different depths with a sloped part in between).

If it was me i would change the filter and then use the drain bolt to get a couple qts out as many times as needed to get the fluid nice and bright red.

srlbotanical · March 8, 2006

I totally agree with these guys. A filter change is a must. I drain the fluid, bolt the pan back up with 6-7 bolts, top it off with new fluid and run it through the gears for 5 min. then drain it, replace the filter, put it all back together, top it off.

Steve

bowtie_pasta · March 8, 2006

What procedure does the service manual show?

CapitalTruck · March 10, 2006

Factory service manual (I have all five volumes) calls for taking pan off, changing filter, replacing pan and gasket, torquing bolts, then refilling. I do this every 25,000 miles. The owners manual calls for 50,000, but I want to play it safe.

rjirvine · March 10, 2006

Thanks guys. I dropped the pan on my 97 truck and replaced the filter and gasket and put 5 quarts in. It was pretty straight forward. I couldnt get the rubber gasket thing out, so just left the old one in and took the new one off of the new filter neck. It still fits nice and tight. I figured I'd practice on the 97 before I tackled the 2000. My 2000 has a drain plug, the 97 does not.

Does anyone have a preference over the rubber gasket or cork?

I'm also thinking of getting a new tranny pan for the 2000 that's aluminum and has cooling fins, also hold 2 more quarts--Is there anything wrong about doing that? I want this truck to last a long time.

asepgrad98 · March 10, 2006

My 2000 has a drain plug,

Good luck getting it out with out destroying it

The filter kit i got from NAPA had a rubber gasket and it works well. Be aware you will need a torx bit to get a bracket out of the way, T40 i think it was.