Good method for draining transmission fluid?

[Okey0]

I tried this once on a previous vehicle, and it seemed to work OK. Thought I'd run it by the group to see what you all thought.



1-drain fluid from trans (I have a plug installed)

2-put plug back in, and drive vehicle around the block (include back-up move)

3-drain fluid again

4-repeat step 2

5-drain fliud again

6-drop pan

7-replace filter

8-replace pan

9-fill with ATF++++ or AMSOIL Trans fluid



I get a lot more fluid out by doing this, but I just wonder if it is OK to do this (drive with lower fluid level) for a short distance.

 

[datablitz]

i wouldnt reccomend it, i had a transmission that we ran with only a gallon of fluid in it, and after only about 100-200 feet of driving, once we pulled th pan again, the fluid was very burnt, and smellled horrible..... if you try this and the level is too low, you can burn up all your clutches as well as the stator in your trqur converter.

i'm not a transmission tech, so if anyone feels like it, they can correct me... .

you may have better luck getting everything out if you take the vb out, and let let it drain until it is cool. as far as i know it is nearly impossible to get all the fluid out of a transmission by draining it... . you will also have fluid in the cooler, etc.

 

[y-knot]

My method is a little different.



I would remove the pan, replace filter and adjust the bands. Re-install the pan with new gasket and torque to specs. Fill pan to max level. loosen the transmission return line from the transmission body, and slide a clear section of 3/4" pvc hose over the end connector and secure. Place the end of the hose into a large container, if you use the 2 1/2 gallon jugs of Amsoil, they work fine. Start truck and put in neutral, let it idle and the trany fluid will slowly start to fill container. After 3 quarts have run out, stop and re-fill the trany to max line. Repeat this till system capacity is meet or till bright clean fluid is detected. Re-attach trans cooler line and clean-up any mess. Check trany for correct level, after test drive.

 

[Okey0]

I'd like to try that, but 1)I'm leary of disconnecting trans lines, and 2)I'm not sure which line to disconnect. Is there a pic in the service manual, or could someone draw/snap a pic?

 

[y-knot]

If you follow the lines, it does not take a long to find out which one is the return. Why would you be afraid to disconnect a cooling line from the trany? If that bothers you, maybe taking it to a trany shop would be your best bet. Good luck

 

[Okey0]

If you follow the lines, it does not take a long to find out which one is the return. Why would you be afraid to disconnect a cooling line from the trany?

bad experience with an old jeep trans line-maybe fittings are different now

If that bothers you, maybe taking it to a trany shop would be your best bet. Good luck

NEVER

 

[WaynesWorld]

drain it

OkeyO,

The peace of mind & a couple of bucks, it might be worth going to a oil drain place, trans or quick oil change, to let the tech guy do it! It depends on how much you want to do. Everyone doesn't have the same level of confidence.

Do what makes you feel right.

My . 02

WAYNES WORLD

 

[MCummings]

If you cycle through the gears, you will get a little bit more fluid out of it.



I would not recommend draining, then driving, then driving again.



That would be similar to draining your oil, then starting your car to get the last 2-3 quarts out of the crankcase.



I'd recomend what y-knot is suggesting.



Just keep filling the transmission, and selecing different gears. You don't have to drive the vehicle to get the majority of tghe oil out. Most of the oil is circulated when selecting different gears.



You can run the truck just until you start seeing bubbles come out of the cooler line. Then, you can, 1. Fill the transmission up to "full" mark, or measure how much fluid came out, and put that much more back in.



You could even change the fluid like this without having to drop the pan. Although it it is a great idea to inspect the pan and change the filter.



Merrick

 

[Lsfarm]

Don't Do It!!

Your transmission LIVES on ATF, to even back it down the driveway and back up as little as 10-20 feet without ATF in the pan will cause serious damage to the clutches and/or bands.



Follow the advice in the above posts if you feel the need to flush the system.



NEVER drive an auto trans low on ATF. It is like driving a stick with the clutch partially released: guaranteed disaster.



Getting all the ATF out of a trans for a scheduled fluid change is not really necessary, unless the fluid is contaminated, and if it is, then trans usually needs more help than just changing the ATF.



Make sure once you refill the trans, take it for a short drive around the block, and then check it again. . The trans usually needs more ATF. I'd rather see a trans overfilled by half a quart than underfilled.



Sorry about the yelling, but I hate to see people damage their trucks from bad info or proceedures, I've fixed a lot of the results!



Hope this helps. Greg L

 

[Okey0]

ok ok, just so everyone knows, I didn't do it the way I thought of-just did a standard pan drop, installed new filter (and put drain plug in-why can't they put a pan on that all ready has a drain plug from the factory) and topped off with Amsoil ATF. Didn't adjust bands, as I only have about 14K on odom.

thanks for all your input though.