Tranny flush

Buellstunter · Oct 9, 2014

Been reading all the posts I can about changing the transmission fluid out on the automatic transmission. Some say the best way is to just drop the pan and change screen and the 8 or so quarts of fluid you get out and replace the inline filter up behind the radiator. Others say to flush the system with the machine at the dealership or a shop that knows what there doing. I've read a lot of posts that say flushing the system removes all the for lack of better words sediment inside the trannys and then within 1000-2000 miles you start having issues with the tranny slipping or going out completely. I am about to drive from pa to Iowa in a week and want to change my tranny fluid out cause it's getting to be on the brownish side instead of red. Now the truck has 223,xxx miles on it and I was told Tranny had work done to it, a new converter put in and clutches and springs about 50-70,000 miles ago. ( bought the truck about a year ago). When I bought the truck fluid was a nice deep red and looked fresh. My question is what is the best option: 1 flush the tranny to change the fluid or 2 just drop the pan. Thanks, any input will be appreciated.

mstng5point0 · Oct 9, 2014

I would just drain the pan and change the inline filter. If its real bad drop the pan clean it out with brake clean. Its just a screen in there that really doesnt need to be changed.

Derkperk · Oct 9, 2014

I wouldn't touch it. You've gone this long over the service interval and just asking for trouble if you start now. Run it until it fails.

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Derkperk · Oct 9, 2014

Edit: I see work was done 60k ago. You should have flushed the trans and replaced the tp filter twice by now. Its a gamble either way.

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turbie · Oct 9, 2014

would like to know about this as well, i've heard that you just throw away that tp type filter, and change the fluid?

Mark Kovalsky · Oct 10, 2014

Derkperk said:
I wouldn't touch it. You've gone this long over the service interval and just asking for trouble if you start now. Run it until it fails.

You're probably one of those that also doesn't change engine oil. It makes just as much sense to not change the trans oil as it does to not change the engine oil.

The problem with flushing the TorqShift transmission is that it has a thermostat. If the place that does the flush doesn't have a heated flush machine they will think they are flushing, but all they are doing is mixing old and new fluid and changing mixed fluid. Most places don't have heated machines, they are rare.

The remote filter near the radiator needs to be changed, not removed. The filter in the pan (it isn't a screen) does not need to be changed. It isn't fine enough to clog.

New fluid will NEVER hurt a transmission. It won't save one that is about to fail, but it will not cause a failure.

03_PSD · Oct 10, 2014

Thanks for that post Mark!!

Buellstunter · Oct 10, 2014

Thanks guys for all the input. I Ended up canceling my appt. to have it flushed/changed as they did not have a heated machine to the best of there knowledge or in fact not know much about the machine at all. Bought a new tp filter for the fiilter next to rad. And picked up a new screen and 10 quarts of fluid. Gonna drop the pan and replace what comes out and refill it and see what it looks like after my trip. Read some things about putting in a pan from a 09 cause u can replace the screen with a filter. Anyone have info on that?is it beneficial and if u do that do u eliminate or keep the tp filter inline?

Mark Kovalsky · Oct 12, 2014

Yes, it's a good change. You can leave the remove filter canister empty.

There have been problems if you live in an area that sees extreme cold. There is a different pump required if you get colder than -30F. Wind chill temperatures don't count.