Transmission Questions

[MJBaldwin]

Quick question I have heard both sides and agree with both sides from co-workers but would like your question I am due to change my tranny fluid is it better to flush and put new in or drop it clean the pan and put new in. I have heard the downs of flushing is it brings all the "nasty" stuff on the bottom of the pan back into play. The disadvantage of just draining is your not getting 100% of the old fluid. I have a place that will do one and another that will do the other.

Thoughts please?

[Scott K]

I usually do both, flush it, and pull the pan and put in a new filter. But what kind of vehicle, and how many miles are you talking?

[MJBaldwin]

2002 F150 eith about 160k on it I did it awhile back but cant remember exact miles maybe around 80-90K

[fishnowworknever]

I think Ford recommends every 30k ?

I'd flush every time. Just dropping the pan you're not getting everything

There is a great DIY out there on youtube.

[Macgyver55]

is it better to flush and put new in or drop it clean the pan and put new in.

Thoughts please?

I personally will not flush a transmission. (other than disconnecting a line and adding fluid while running it) Dropping the pan, changing the filter and gasket has far less chance of creating a problem than a flushing machine does. If there is that much debris in the remaining fluid on a standard fluid and filter change, than I'd say you have bigger problems to worry about.

[Scott K]

Mac, that is how I do it. I just pull the pan, change filter, then pull a line, aim it into a bucket, start it, and add fluid until the fluid looks clean.

[Dave]

Last time I had a tranny flushed, it cost me a new tranny. They said the old gunk flushed out and that's what was making it still work. Worked fine before I had it flushed.

[Whoaru99]

Mac, that is how I do it. I just pull the pan, change filter, then pull a line, aim it into a bucket, start it, and add fluid until the fluid looks clean.

+2, or would that be +3?

Even if you don't blow out all the old fluid, if you change on a decent schedule, just dropping the pan, changing the filter, and topping off with new, the transmission probably will outlive most of the rest of the vehicle.

The single hest thing is to add a cooler, or maybe a bigger one, if not already equipped.

[MJBaldwin]

Thanks guys, Thats what I was looking to do number one the place that will just drop the pan and add new tranny fluid is a lot cheaper and I had this conversation with my co-worker and it sounded like all your comments. I have never done this before and since it is winter I am not sure I want to tackle it as my garage is small and truck doesnt even fit into it. How much does it typically cost to do it yourslef and how hard is it? I think the place I called said about 120?

[Jeremy airjer W]

If the trans pan gasket is rubber/metal it is reusable provided it has not been over torqued. The filter will run you about $25-$30. a filter kit with the rubber/metal gasket will run you about $40 - $50. About $30 for fluid.

[Whoaru99]

It's not hard if you can get under the vehicle easily. Also, if the tranny pan has a drain plug it's easier, or at least tends to be less messy.

If the tranny doesn't have a drain plug then you'll want to loosen the bolts in such a manner as to incrementally lower one corner of the pan to allow as much fluid to drain out as possible. If you try to drop the whole pan at once you're probably going to make a really big mess.

It's also nice to keep track of/measure how much came out so you have a good idea how much goes back in for starters.

[quickfish6]

usually alternate them between flush first time then fluid and filter the flush.

I would say do the filter this time.