Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) ATF Change (Issue 42)

[Tom Trujillo]

As usual I devoured the current issue of TDR which arrived today (#42). I found The Way We Were on page 108 interesting since I am soon to do a transmission filter and fluid change.



On page 108 Tom states "that some manufacturers no tell you not to bother changing the transmission fluid at all".



Which leads me to my silly question, does ATF degrade like motor oil does over time and usage?javascript:smilie('')



Another reason for my question is that I recently saw an advertisment for Express Lube (one of the many lube franchises floating around,) In this advertisment they claim a total fluid "exchange", including the fluid in the torque converter.



When I called them, it turns out that they connect one of the transmission lines leading to or from the radiator, then, process the existing fluid through some filtering process four or five times, at which point they hook the transmission line back up and top off what little of the original fluid did not get back into the transmission from their system. They DO NOT open the pan and change the filter. The charge for this process is $79 (for my

Accord - did not ask them about the truck. )



I had never heard of this so I have not used them, however, I am curious what the members thoughts are on this process and if anyone has heard any data on the results.



Tomjavascript:smilie('Oo. ')

 

[stressedout]

I have not heard any data on it, but it does work. We have one at work it's awesome. It connects to the lines coming from the trans, it has a reservoir that holds ten gallons of new fluid and container for the old. Turn the pump on and it pumps the new fluid in and the old fluid out. The new and old fluid flow through two clear tubes on the exchanger. You control the flow, when the fluid coming out is the same collar going in it is clean.



The truck should be running and in neutral.

I use Dexron lll in mine. Chrysler fluid is bad. [My opinion]

 

[DMC]

You should always change the filter when you do a transmission service with a standard size pan, I see that you have the mag hytech pan. You could probably get by with changing the filter every other service. I would certainly service the transmission every 30,000 miles. There are guys on here that service the transmission every 12,000.





Good Luck



Don

 

[Tom Trujillo]

Thats interesting KHill. I may give them a try for my Accord since the Honda's dont have transmission filters anyway. As for the truck, I'll see how it goes with the Accord and then decide. I'll probably do the truck myself using the proceedure in issue 42 since I really need to get that old filter out of there. And then some time in the next year or two go to them to do a complete flush from time to time.



Thanks

 

[Tom Trujillo]

Originally posted by DMC

I see that you have the mag hytech pan.



Actually Don the transmission pan is the original pan. I have a Mag-Hytec rear end cover.