Has anyone attempted to do a home tranny flush? I want to drain all the fluid out of my tranny and convertor box any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

converter box? isn't that for HD tv on a regular tv? u can't get out all the fluid out of the trans without actually disassembling the trans. so if u just drop the pan, new filter new atf+4 (only) then u can figure 4-5quarts. about 60% new fluid.

 

to get the most out of your trans, replace the trans filter and all fluid that drained from the pan. run the car for about 500mi and repeat process. Any remaining fluid after the first change gets diluted in with the new fluid and will not cause any problems. The new fluid will wash any sediment in the trans into the new filter, and you should be good for thousands of more miles after the second change

This is a common home method on the Dodge/Chrysler vans, which have the same 41TE transmissions.

 

if u really want to get serious, get a can of transmission cooler flush like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NW157M follow direction exact and you can remove a lot of debris in the trans cooler

 

Save yourself the trouble and headache. Take it to a Speed Lube or whatever the equivalent in your area is and have a T-Tech done for $85. Beats swimming in tranny fluid. Just stay there and watch to verify that it is being done right. If the shop has a problem with you being in the service area, find another shop.

 

ive seen horror stories about those places. one they dont use the right fluid, 2 they often cause subsequent damage by stirring up debris and not getting all removed causing the lub circuit to be plugged inturn destroying the planets shortly after. anyway, how would average joe consumer know if they did it right or not? and most shops dont let customers vulture over the techs.

 

Stirring up the fluid this way is a BAD thing for these cars. There have been many reports of chrysler transmissions (41te) going bad within a few thousand miles of a service, most found to be caused by sediment that was pushed around the wrong way, forced passed the filter, etc. A process of draining, replacing filter, fill, drive 500mi, repeat process will replace most of the old fluid and suspended sediment, while not causing damage. My van (41AE) and my Strat (41TE) have 105,000mi, and 175,000mi with no transmission issues from doing this simple servicing. Both shift strong and solid and the fluid remains nice and strawberry colored.

A shop not letting you into the bay, is normal, and is in most states required by their insurance to NOT allow customers in the service bays, as customers are not covered by their insurance.

 

if this is an older car with more than 50k miles, i agree with ratts. drain/replace filter twice, a tank or two of gas apart. don't go on any long extended trips between the changes because you're stirring up a lot of sludge. if its a new car with less than 50k, just change it once and you're good for 30-50k.

 

Any time you start draining, changing the filter and adding new fluid you are stirring up sediment. It can't be avoided even with a simple dump and fill of fluid. The new fluid has it's detergents that are added at full strength and that detergent immediately starts doing it's job after being added no matter what method is used. I've had this service done on 3 vehicles I have owned with no issues. All were taken to the same speed lube with the understanding that I would be observing the process and inspecting all parts and the pan for sediment and or debris upon removal. This shop manager had no issues with my demands which tells me he is proud of the work they do and has nothing to hide. The insurance bull in most shops is to keep the customer from seeing what is actually being performed on the vehicle. I was also implicit that the vehicles were brought in with NO leaks and would not be complete until I was sure there were still no leaks. (None leaked) I say if you want to do it yourself that's fine but in doing so you cannot get nearly the amount of old fluid out than can be removed with the machine unless you are willing to go through the process over and over. Sure the remaining old fluid will be diluted but it's still old fluid. The T-Tech includes 2 extra quarts of fluid to ensure that nearly all the old fluid is evacuated when pumped through. And yes use ATF+4.

 

I recently changed the fluid in my car. I have a '99 stratus with a little over 100k miles. Just make sure to change the filter like everyone has said. I got quite a bit of fluid out, and yes it is kind of a messy job. It's cheaper to do it yourself as long as you don't mind getting a little dirty. I haven't noticed any problems since it was changed, so I plan on doing it again when the car needs it.