Flush Or Just Change?

[N8TheGreat]

Alright guys, I found another Silverado that I am getting a great deal on! 2002 LT 4x4. All the options (including ass warmers), and 122K. $10,000. Not sure if the tranny has ever been flushed...would it be too late to do that, or should I just drain and refill?

[Draenor]

Do both. If anything drop the pan, change the filter, and filler back up.

[VMax2007]

I read the topic and hoped this was not an underwear thread. Whew!!!

[bgrif005]

take a look at amsoil's flush and fill steps on thier website. most people say dont do the shop machine flush...just drop the pan, clean it thoroughly, change the filter, and top off. if you have the ability and time do the home flush thing amsoil describes.

[C & A s Dad]

I would agree with Brandon. If you can do it at home this is a great method. This is what I did.

 

If you want a shop to do it, the use of a machine is acceptable but only if they use the machine to remove the old fluid, drop the pan, change the filter and replace with new fluid.

[willysts]

I did them both and refilled with Amsoil and it's a good thing that I did. My truck had 169,000 when I bought it. Service histoory on GM vis showed the trans was repaired under GMPP warranty at 76,000. It was well maintained but because my truck has the towing package, it has the deeper oil pan but inside it had the wrong filter which was for a shallow pan. Naturally I replaced it with the proper filter and motored on.

[SKYrado03]

I would agree with Brandon. If you can do it at home this is a great method. This is what I did.

 

If you want a shop to do it, the use of a machine is acceptable but only if they use the machine to remove the old fluid, drop the pan, change the filter and replace with new fluid.

All I can say is +1

[N8TheGreat]

I could do it at work. I work in garage...we have a flush machine. I was talking to Dakie, a mechanic there, and he said at 122K its a rough call. He said if it isn't slipping I might get away with it, but if it is, flushing and changing the oil could hurt it more.

[N8TheGreat]

Saw the build sheet on this Silverado. It has the Heavy Duty Trailering Kit. Does that include a tranny cooler from the factory?

[SKYrado03]

I was talking to Dakie, a mechanic there, and he said at 122K its a rough call.

He said if it isn't slipping I might get away with it, but if it is, flushing and changing the oil could hurt it more.

All I can say is +1

[C & A s Dad]

Saw the build sheet on this Silverado. It has the Heavy Duty Trailering Kit. Does that include a tranny cooler from the factory?

 

 

It likely does have the aux cooler. Just look right behind the Bowtie in the grille. If it has a cooler, it will look like a small radiator mounted just behind the Bowtie. It will be about 5" tall by 11" wide.

 

If you are worried about servicing the trans, skip the machine, drop the pan, replace the filter and fill it back up. I do not think you would be at risk doing this.

 

Oh yea, if it is an 02, it will have a drain plug in the trans pan. If it is not already rounded off, you will need a good quality 6pt impact style socket and a 1/2 drive pull handle. Make sure you keep good upwards presure on the plug while taking it out. You can also apply a small amt of heat to the plug to melt the thread locker installed at the factory.