I've heard over and over that flushing a transmission with more than 100k is a BAD idea. Some times this is in reference to a power flush, sometimes not. What are thoughts of the DIY flush?

Connecting a length of hose to one of the cooling lines and running the engine, while adding new fluid, until it runs new fluid out the hose? Since your using the Transmission pump to evacuate the fluid I don't see how your going to "knock" any build up loose.

Thanks.

 

When I flushed mine I just let the old fluid drain. You should replace the filter, in which case you have to remove the pan and all the old fluid comes with it.

 

Doing it that way is alot better than having it power flushed by a shop.

 

Was looking at thisprocedure. Other vids I've watched on Utube are pretty much the same.

btw.....if your going to put in a drain plug, anyone recommended over the others? For some reason, busting a hole in the pan just doesn't seem like a good idea. Thinking about it, but still on the fence.


edit: we lost the torque converter above Sheridan, WY (thats in the Big Horns) 3 years ago...I'd prefer not to have that happen again. On one hand, I got a few extra days of Vacation off from work, but the $1500 bill from the dealer sucked a$$. I'd prefer to replace ALL the fluid if it won't cause me any additional problems.

 

I like the B&M plug. It is pipe thread as opposed to bolt and gasket.

Edit: BTW, unless the fluid is really bad, I would not bother flushing it at all. Remove the pan and let drain over night, more will come out. You can also get more out by raising the front of the truck up as high as possible.

 

Thanks Z. Soon as it warms up a bit...

 

If you run the truck for a while first the heated fluid drains MUCH quicker.

 

Unfortunatly, simply dropping the pan and replacing the filter only gets about 80% or so of the fluid. The rest is in the TC, cooler, and in the lines. That is the main reason a flush is recommended.

After mine was rebuilt at just under 40k miles, I had it flushed at a dealership every year, or about 10-12k. I did that up to about 80k, then I backed off to about every other year (about 20-24k). Never had a problem with mine at all.

 

That's fine when it's done as frequently as you have. But I would question it being done on a 100K tranny that has had nothing or next to nothing done to it.

 

Sure would like to assume that when the dealership replaced the TC a few years back they also did the filters. I did the cooler last summer or spring after it started to leak. So it's not likely I've got much oil in there thats seeing the 100k mark yet. Last time a check (few months ago) it was still nice and red with no odd odors.

Planning on some heavy tune-ups this spring on all 3 vehicles, transmission PM's are on the list of things to do....amazing how much little crap needs attention on 10+ yr old cars, even when it's maintained.