Transmission Flush

[markw8]

When I drop my pan I use a pry bar and bend the bracket. Its just enough to tilt the pan down. I've done this twice. I straighten it back, but I'm not sure its needed. Mark.

[lbilan]

I've read what everyone has said and it seems to be in my best interest to just drop the pan, replace the filter and add new fluid. I have a 2500HD with 102,000 miles on it and has never had the transmission oil changed. I have it at the GM shop and they suggested the flush and fill and not replacing the filter. I bought this truck new, have never had a problem and knew the trans had to be changed at 100k. I've used this truck to haul our tractor/farm equipment. Never thinking this service should have been done sooner. Now with this many miles and the GM guy just saying to flush and fill, I don't want to lose this transmission, I have no problems at all with this truck and love it. I've had the radiator flushed and filled and kept up with oil changes, what is everyones best oponion for me to do.

 

P.S. Husband it out of the country on business and he's left me in charge with this?

 

Thank you

Leah

[gmtech4]

drop the pan,replace the filter and fill it ,1 hr labour at a garage

[txab]

drop the pan,replace the filter and fill it ,1 hr labour at a garage

+1

[ChevyTech77]

Then, at the next engine oil change, pull the engine oil drain plug, drain half the old engine oil, put the plug back in, put a new oil filter on it, and top of the engine oil too.

 

Same way of thinking, just sayin.

[Stevens03]

And the word flush is such a dirty word when it comes to transmissions. I cringe every time I read it. I like to use the term swap. Really I think one of the best ways is to disconnect the cooling lines and use the transmissions own pump to suck in new fluid and pump out the old fluid. 2 bucket method. That way you get 99% thru the torque converter too and your not "stirring" up any possible loose debris. And why the dealership wouldn't change the filter is beyond me.

 

I've seen guys do reverse flush's that loosened crap up and cause the trans to fail shortly after

[peteking]

And the word flush is such a dirty word when it comes to transmissions. I cringe every time I read it. I like to use the term swap. Really I think one of the best ways is to disconnect the cooling lines and use the transmissions own pump to suck in new fluid and pump out the old fluid. 2 bucket method. That way you get 99% thru the torque converter too and your not "stirring" up any possible loose debris. And why the dealership wouldn't change the filter is beyond me.

 

I've seen guys do reverse flush's that loosened crap up and cause the trans to fail shortly after

 

OK, I've seen the 1-bucket method, where you disconnect the return line on the radiator, connect that via a tube into a bucket. Then you pump out the old fluid, stop, dump in a few quarts of new fluid, and repeat. Where does a second bucket come into play?

[txab]

Then, at the next engine oil change, pull the engine oil drain plug, drain half the old engine oil, put the plug back in, put a new oil filter on it, and top of the engine oil too.

 

Same way of thinking, just sayin.

 

Not really. Not trying to start an argument, but you can't arbitrarily make the engine oil to trans oil comparison, IMHO.

 

Transmissions aren't exposed to hydrocarbons and moisture constantly like an internal combustion engine is. Having been responsible for and seen the data on over 80 trucks that our company uses, doing a pan drop regularly does just as much as a flush with no pan drop. If there is material in the pan, it is examined. Every vehicle's transmission fluid is tested, engine oil as well on regular schedule. We've got trucks that have 250k + miles with 4L60, 4L80, etc... that have survived. Have a couple of them broken? Yes, but not due to a fluid related failure.

 

With Dex VI out, we have started changing out all fluid on each unit, mainly because oil reports are not consistent with Dex III and Dex VI mix. After re-reading and seeing that the poster has an older, pre-synthetic filled trans, I'd go for a complete change WITH a pan drop and filter. After that, just pan drops, unless some other condition warrants it. But if she did just do a pan/filter drop now. I would still sleep well knowing what I know.

 

On my personal vehicles, all are full synthetic now and will only receive pan drains/drops and the filter screen only if necessary.

 

 

Best thing for all, is do do whatever makes you sleep well at night

 

 

Now if you BBQ your transmission regularly, there is a different story......

[CLL3]

Dear GM Technician:

I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4 5.3L with 148,000 miles on it. I took it to a GM dealer to have the trans filter changed and fluid topped off.They gave me the: GM just recommends flushing the fluid and not changing the filter talk. I told them that they had changed the filter for me twice before sense the truck was new I told them the fluid looked pink and not dirty and didn't smell burned. They told me that they didn't change trans filters anymore, that the flushing of the fluid cleans all the dirt that is in the filter out of the trans and there was no reason to change the filter. I said well OK if that's what GM recommends I guess go ahead and flush it. Seven days later going slowly through a parking lot it felt like someone had hid me from behind. I looked in the mirror and there was no one there. as I move a little farther the same thing happened and I realized it was my transmission shifting from first gear to second. I stopped in a parking spot, pulled out the trans stick and the fluid smelled burnt and looked very dirty. Luckily I was only a short distance from the GM dealer. I took it there and they said the transmission was gone but the flushing they did a week earlier had nothing to do with it going bad and it was going to cost me $3,000.00 to have a rebuilt trans put in. After reading the posts here I am convinced the flushing clogged some of the small passages and galleries through which automatic transmission fluid flows and this is what caused the trans to go bad.I would appreciate any help on what to do.

[gmtech4]

what to do is .....

 

get a rebuilt tranny put in or have yours rebuilt

 

GM rebuilt trannies have a 3 yr warranty,cooler is flushed with a machine ,flow rate thru the cooler is measured with the same machine ,that figure HAS to be put on the work order for warranty purposes,,,,

 

same goes for a getting it rebuilt at a dealer (yours offered replacing only,,they do not have a tranny guy,so don't ask ) the cooler is flushed etc and is considerably less expensive,,,,1 yr warranty

 

getting it flushed 7 days earlier did not blow up your tranny, my opinion only ,,i rebuilt a few in my day lol

[Z45]

There has never been a reason to flush a transmission with a flush machine other than to make easy money.

 

 

[jdelrizzle]

Hey rob, what I am about to say is going to piss you off but I'm going to go ahead and say it.

I have been on this forum for almost a year and I've read and learned plenty of things in regards to my truck, I have read time and time again, DON'T do tranny flushes, they'll screw your tranny up! I even read one thread were you put, you people don't get it don't flush your transmission, blah blah blah. I understand your a high speed transmission guy, former GM tech, etc, but I am almost certain had the CLL3 guy said something like I got my tranny flushed at jiffy lube you wouldn't be saying the flush had nothing to do with his tranny blowing up, I understand it's your opinion, I'm just saying.

[gmtech4]

i said not to flush only ,the filter is not done by some shops as mentioned ,

 

its a cash grab,,,,txcab mentioned that no hydrcarbons destroy the oil ,ive said that in the past ,GM recommends pan drops and oil /filter ,thats it

 

who knows why his tranny blew up ,coincidence ,,,,yes ,,,someone prove that flushes blow up a hydraulic machine ,,,,truly i want to know ,,ive seen where debris is when cleaning a tranny for a rebuild ,,it makes no sence to me thats all

 

either way full system flushes are a cash cow ,,,

 

you didnt piss me off

 

all good ,sorry for the confusion