Is transmission flushing a good idea?

[HGDMARTN]

Went to my 5 star dealer today to buy a gift certificate for my parents to have their transmission serviced. (Y2K 3500 w/V-10 auto)

Dealer told me to go with the flush vs the traditional pan removal and filter/fluid replacement. Cost of $132. 50 whew!

I did it, reluctantly.

Is this new procedure better than the old method. She said they actually hook inline and run the truck as they replace the fluid. Assured me this was the best thing since sliced bread?



Did I get screwed?



Thanks,

David

 

[RonaldLarson]

Nope!

The good thing about the transmission flush, is that it replaces the fluid in the torque convertor. The bad thing is obvious: after they get finished loosening all the crap that's in the system, it is lodged in the transmission filter, and they don't change that. All that fresh fluid is instantly contaminated by the stuff that floated around in the old fluid.

The best transmission service always includes a new filter and draining the convertor as much as possible.

Ron

 

[Bluhaven]

transmission fluch

Not a good idea, I know 3 people that have had that done and in no time there trans was junk. Do it the old fashion way.

 

[Pit Bull]

I had this done to my Landcruiser about 40K miles ago when I put in Mobil 1 transmission fluid. But the Toyota does not have a filter only a screen, (plus I think you could run Mud in the Toyota LC's and they would keep working). When I had the Dodge done I did it the old fashion way and went with a new filter. I will do it the old fashion way every 20K miles, with the Dodge CTD. As long as the fluid is OK and I test that, the filter part is really the most important. Plus when you change the filter you do change out a % of the transmission fluid. so it does get "recharged" with fresh stuff. I guess the best thing you could do would be to flush it and then drop the pan and change the filter. Man that would be expensive

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

I know with the auto's if you have fragments in the pan you can sometimes lodge those frag's into ports in the transmission which can cause premature problems. Not sure about stick but i'm sure that it would have similar effects.

 

[Cooker]

I don't think flushing the fuild is bad, but it's when they add their special detergent that messes things up. If I remember correctly the consensus on the last thread like this was something to that effect as well.



IMO, I think the filter still should be changed. I don't see how the flush gets all the crud out that has been lodged in the filter.



Stephan brings up an interesteing point though. Maybe it would be best to change the filter and then do the flush. Then probably the filter is dirty again.



Personally, I feel more frequent maintence is more important than the flushing.



JMHO,

Ryan

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The local independent transmission shop that does my transmission service stated that a HIGH percentage of Chrysler automatic trannies they rebuild are due ti debris stirred up by transmission flushing, and then clogging valves and passages inside the transmission...



In addition, the higher mileage on the transmission, the greater the risk of stirring up that debris - so, as much as *I* would like to convert to synthetic, the risk on my 113,000 mile 727 is too great...

 

[Fireman Dave]

I just change my fluid and filter yearly. Anything left in the TC eventually gets cycled out by doing it that regularly. I don't see a need for the flush by doing it like that. Just my . 02 cents.

 

[wtrenholm]

Some shops are selling three different trans services.



1. The conventional pan drop and filter change.

2. The flush using the cooler lines.

3. Both



I guess I like getting the debris out of the pan, I don't care if there's 3000 miles on it, there will be some goodies in the pan. If regular pan drops are done the fluid shouldn't need to be completely exchanged. If I'm concerned that the fluid is breaking down from heat or whatever, then do both.



IMO

Wayne

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by HGDMARTN

Dealer told me to go with the flush vs the traditional pan removal and filter/fluid replacement.

Do not do it. This is comming from the stealer.



We had a trans fail in less than 6 months after letting the quickie lube kid flush the transmission like you described. The transmission shop that rebuilt our concorde trans said do not let teenagers flush the trans, do not put monkey puckie in your trans because it never all comes out and do follow the maintenance schedule using erperienced mechanics. He said that inspecting the filter/screen/magnet will tell lots about the life expectancy of a trans.



I think the monkey puckie cost me $1,800 in transmission repairs.



My wife still refuses to drive a sick and I loathe the DC auto transmissions. We now have an Olds 88 and I now have the transmission reaper phobia. I am scared every time I get in something with an Auto Transmission.