Auto Transmission "FLUSH" OK?

[MCM]

It’s time for my first transmission fluid change. A local shop owner said he hooks a machine to one of the transmission lines and flushes the system out and then replaces the fluid. He indicated there was no need to drop the pan. Seems like I read a thread about “flushing” the transmission not being recommended. Anyone got any ideas or experience with this? Thanks


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Mike McAuley, 2K1. 5,2500, QC SWB Auto 4X4, bright silver 3. 54 gears, ARE lid, Nurf bars, Torque Dog, Auto Meter Guages.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Is this guy a magican? how do you change the filter without dropping the pan.

There are some problems with flushing the system.

Check the archives for details

 

[Fireman Dave]

Why would anyone want to run clean fluid through a dirty filter? I just did mine. I dropped the pan and replaced the filter. I didn't flush it, but I did get about 9 quarts out. It was nice and pink - didn't even look like it needed to be changed - which is exactly how I want it. #ad
My truck is 1 year old (12,000 miles). I plan on changing it every year, so flushing may not be that big of a deal. I think it would be more crucial if you don't change it as often as I do or if it got contaminated. For the price they want to flush it, I'd rather do it myself more frequently (and still save money). Besides, if I do it, it's one less yahoo dinkin' around with my truck - thus less chance for a tragedy.

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; BedRug; Forest Green; Isspro Pyro, Boost, and Trans Temp Gauges; 27' TT

 

[EMDDIESEL]

The only time you would flush your transmission LINES is if you had a transmission or TQ failure. Otherwise, change your fluid and filter at the same interval. Every 20k is a good time. I have a friend who drains the fluid via the drain plug in the pan every 15k and then drops the pan and does the filter every 30k. With fluid changesd that often, the filter will last a LONG time anyhow.

 

[MCM]

Thanks, I did check the archives…seems most recommend changing transmission fluid and filter by dropping the pan. Sounds like good advise. Thanks

 

[illflem]

The flush method won't clean the filter, change it, but here's a story. Some friends I was visiting in Hawaii had a beater '68 Chrysler La Baron. When I was driving it the transmission started not wanting to go into 3rd. Took it to gas station and had the filter changed, it worked fine afterwards. The mechanic said by the look of the paint on the pan bolts that it was first time the filter and fluid had been changed. 25 years and 260k. Either they don't make them like they used to or some of us are over servicing them.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by MCM:
A local shop owner said he hooks a machine to one of the transmission lines and flushes the system out and then replaces the fluid. He indicated there was no need to drop the pan.

We had that done on our 1994 Chrysler Concorde, the place was a Jiffy type lube(16 year old kid doing the work). Made it sound so easy. We had NO transmission problems and thought we were doing the car a good deed at 70,000 miles.

Six months later the transmission puked.

This was my wife's car, never driven hard, fast or hot. After this I not only hate Chrysler automatic transmissions but I also hate non-traditional oil flushes. $19. 99 was a hard price to pay and still have failure.

The reputable/established transmission shop said to have professionals change your oil, not kids. The next thing he said was just to have the filter/magnet inspected. This would entail dropping the pan, not what you want your average teenager doing. A real professional will be able to tell you what the fluid looks like and if there are any chunks in the pan to worry about. Once that cleaner stuff goes in it never comes all back out.

Never drive an auto in OD if you are not at highway speeds. Even gas cars make enough torque that they eventually eat the transmission.

Change your transmission fluid every year. Fluid is cheap, a LOT less than a new transmission.

Our lesson cost us $1,700. Our lesson cost Chrysler brand loyalty, we now drive GM cars.

When transmission shops have 50-75 percent of business from one automaker you have to ask is this a coincidence or are they making poor quality products? The failure rate of Chrysler transmissions was too much to handle. Everyone that asks my opinion about what car to by I tell them, "Anything but a Chrysler" and relate this horror story.

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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E ARE Z Series Cap Bedrug ICI Nerfbars

 

[TwoSlick]

Smokin Joe,

If you know anybody with one of these Chrysler transmissions, the Amsoil synthetic ATF (Mopar 7176E) does help quite a bit with the "juddering" problem these have. This is due to the clutch plates locking/unlocking at a very high rate and is primarily due to incorrect frictional properties of the transmission fluid. You normally feel this on upshifts from third to fourth under light throttle settings (@ 35-40 mph).

I did a total fluid change on a '92 Concorde and the juddering problem went away entirely - I was very surprised to say the least.

TooSlick

 

[MCM]

Thanks again…they say experience is the best teacher, I appreciate yours.

 

[Bad340fish]

From what I have seen and heard its best not to change it at all if you don't do it when its supposed to be done. I did that with my dads 89 Daytona and the trans crapped pretty quick! My Dads 1980 Dodge 1 ton Crew Cab Dually is kind of like illflems post minus the mileage. It has 65K on it and 21 years on the stock fluid. It still is the best shifting stock auto I have ever driven. Dodge needs to bring Back the LoadFlight 727slol. But for now Bill K sells Loadflight conversions #ad

Clark