To Flush or Not To Flush? Need Advice.

[speckketcher]

Once again, Transmision fluid advice sought.
I have 2002 T-Blazer with about 73,200 miles. I need to begin to take care of some soon to be needed maintenance. Plugs, Radiator flush and transmission fluid. First on my list is tranmission fluid. It has never been changed. I've read pros and cons regarding the flush. I'm not hard on the Blazer and only towed a small trailer once when I moved, and that move was only 20 miles away.
So the question is should I have the transmission flushed or only have them drop the pan and replace the filter. :confused: Also, what brand of tranny fluid do yall recommend.
Thanks In advance for your advice and help!!! :thx

[trailblazingold]

I would just drop the pan and change the filter. A flush in your case doesn't make much sense unless you like spending extra money. As far as fluids I try to keep all the fluids made by the same company. I use Mobil 1 for my driveline, just try to use as reputable brand.

[big ed]

I need to do some maintenance also, I'm at 78,000 mile. the only thing I've done is change the oil and air filter. but I've heard so many bad story about this I'm afraid to do it. I've had no major problem's in 3 years since I got it and don't want them to start. should I trust a jiffy lube to do this or a major repair shop like pepboys, who I don't trust either? suggestion on where to go?

[ieatglue]

I need to do some maintenance also, I'm at 78,000 mile. the only thing I've done is change the oil and air filter. but I've heard so many bad story about this I'm afraid to do it. I've had no major problem's in 3 years since I got it and don't want them to start. should I trust a fiffy lube to do this or a major repair shop like pepboys, who I don't trust either? suggestion on where to go?

I would recommend you take it to the dealer. Those Jiffy lube guys are bad news...or so i've heard :D

[speckketcher]

I need to do some maintenance also, I'm at 78,000 mile. the only thing I've done is change the oil and air filter. but I've heard so many bad story about this I'm afraid to do it. I've had no major problem's in 3 years since I got it and don't want them to start. should I trust a fiffy lube to do this or a major repair shop like pepboys, who I don't trust either? suggestion on where to go?

I've been told most of the more "economical" places ie: like Jiffy Lube will not replace the filter. Just make sure you ask if they are putting the old filter back on or a new filter as well as cleaning the pan. No harm in asking to see the old filter and taking a look at a freshly cleaned pan :m2:

[Super 88]

Personally I would avoid Jiffy Lube and similiar places AT ALL COSTS! Even if it meant going to the dealer.
I've heard so many horror stories, and I actually worked at a Jiffy Lube type place once for a week (many, MANY years ago). I quit because I couldn't handle they way they ripped people off - telling them they needed the air filter replaced when they didn't, and then charging them 20.00 bucks for a 2.00 filter.:(

[big ed]

I've been told most of more "economical" places ie: like Jiffy Lube will not replace the filter. Just make sure you ask if they are putting the old filter back on or a new filter as well as cleaning the pan. No harm in asking to see the old filter and taking a look at a freshly cleaned pan :m2:

are you going to do your own? back in the winter jiffy lube did tell me about $250 I think. I'd want to stand down in the bay to watch them change mine..lol.. I don't trust those guys. its a good idea to see your old filter and cleaned pan. but it could be some filter that was just sitting around too. unless you know what yours is supposed to look like.

[speckketcher]

are you going to do your own? back in the winter jiffy lube did tell me about $250 I think. I'd want to stand down in the bay to watch them change mine..lol.. I don't trust those guys. its a good idea to see your old filter and cleaned pan. but it could be some filter that was just sitting around too. unless you know what yours is supposed to look like.

No....not gonna do it myself...Not that brave!!! Only thing I do is put gas in it, air up the tires, the air filter(PITA$$ filter box...had to get that in), take PCM off & on and thanks to :hail:Trailvoy....I can clean the throttlebody:woot: :D

[pvgoheelsunc1]

For both of you with 70k + mile. a complete flush would be good. It's what I did, but I tow a trailer. But a pan drop and filter would at least be the min. I would DIY before jiffy. In your local town, I'm sure you can find a shop that does quality work and quick turn around. Just ask around. Yes like the other folks said make sure that the parts are changed that they say they are changing and good quality fluids are used. For +70k on trans, VAL MAX Life DEX 3 will work or Cast DEX VI according to what the owners manual says. The GM car dealers here in and around Charlotte use AC filters but if they don't they will get WIX/NAPA, at least thats the way it is on our company cars. After-market filters MOBIL1 or PUROLATOR are excellent. Motor oil, the ones on this site I would guess 60% or more use synthetic(MB1,AMSOIL,VAL,PEN) and the rest a high quality dino brand (VAL, CAST, Mobil). Remember these are what we call minimum standard.

[85vette]

My suggestion is to take it to a well reputed transmission shop or an oil change shop that is capable of:

1. Dropping the pan, see if there are any hard parts/clutch material coming apart.

2. Flushing/pumping all the old fluid out through the transmission cooling lines/torque converter to insure all old fluid is removed.

This is what I do when I buy a used vehicle. Transmissions are expensive to repair and this can give you the heads up on any potential problems. I would suggest checking the transmission fluid prior to making the purchase in the future if possible.
I'm fortunate, The manager of the Qwik Lube is a good friend of mine and he takes care of my vehicles personally. All the major work he does at his home shop and is very reasonable on his prices.

[Bearcat]

Leave the fluid and pan alone. Not much fluid is replaced by dropping the pa, the filter will be clean, and you'll probably have the wrong rplacement on hand. A user named MTPockets posted his method a whileback which is to remove a line from the cooler, start the TB, and allow the fluid to spurt out until it stops. You'll dump about 6 quts at a time this way. Look for the post, better directions on how to there. I used his method, and he has never given bad advice. Good luck.

[LOWRIT00]

I just do everything myself that way I know its done right the first time, and if something goes wrong, I have no one but myself to blame. It really isnt that hard to change to change your own filters and fuilds, al it takes is time and patience and most important the know how, or the know how to want to learn how to do it. :m2:

I also do realize somethings just need to be taking in to a shop.

[LOWRIT00]

Leave the fluid and pan alone. Not much fluid is replaced by dropping the pa, the filter will be clean, and you'll probably have the wrong rplacement on hand. A user named MTPockets posted his method a whileback which is to remove a line from the cooler, start the TB, and allow the fluid to spurt out until it stops. You'll dump about 6 quts at a time this way. Look for the post, better directions on how to there. I used his method, and he has never given bad advice. Good luck.

This isnt a good way unless you have new good fuild to replace the old, if you run the fuild out of the truck you can ruin your trans specially when the pump is running and not pushing any fuild through the trans because you unhooked the cooler line.

you can do this if, you have a bucket with good fuild in it and allow the trans to suck in the new fuild, hence replacing the old fuild or what alot of people call a "flush" never run your truck with out any trans fuild its really bad!!!! :duh::duh::duh::duh:

[85vette]

I agree!! Unless you have a $1500-$2000 laying around that you don't need, I would not experiment with my transmission! It cost me about $60.00 to get mine flushed, well worth it. I didn't get dirty, and I was done in 15 minutes. I call it peace of mind! And if my TB had 70+K miles on it, I would want to know what's in the pan!

[speckketcher]

At 73,000 plus miles without ever having replaced my tranny fluid until this point. Is that too many miles to flush. I've read posts that say you could do more harm than good with a flush with high mileage. I guess thats my real question?

OR: would you drop the pan....take a looksie.... and decide if a flush is necessary based on what you find???

You guys have been great with your responses!!! Keep feeding me info!!!
:thx

[pvgoheelsunc1]

2 options....73k miles

1,Remove return line and gravity drain a very small amount of fluid out into a cup 3-4oz (DO NOT START CAR) and compare to new fluid (red/pink). Remove the pan and take a look see. Inside pan is dark and dirty. Fluid is dark and brown color. You can then clean pan while you have it off, put pan back on and refill with fluid and proceed with flush. Then again remove the pan and replace filter and refill trans.

2 As before. Remove return line and gravity drain a very small amount of fluid out into a cup 3-4oz (DO NOT START CAR) and compare to new fluid (red/pink). If fluid is dark and dirty. Proceed with flush and filter change.

If fluid is determined to be in ok shape. Just do a filter/fluid change.

Either way you need to do a filter/fluid change.

73k, a car dealer would not consider that high mileage. On average maybe 40-60% of the life of the car has been used, depending on the up keep.

I personally would do a flush and filter change. 2002 TB 73k (15k miles per yr) on average, the trans is 5yrs old, the fluid has seen some hot days in Baton Rouge. Replace with a high mileage fluid like VAL MAX LIFE DEX 3 or spend the extra $$ and get DEX VI

[big ed]

thank for the advise guys, even more afraid now and unsure what to do. I don't have a regular dealer shop or repair shop. so now what?....:confused:..:undecided

[pvgoheelsunc1]

Well BigED. Here is some info for you....

If you wanted to drive to NC this Sat and I could take you to my local shop they would change it for you. Cost to drive to NC, buy fluid and filter, labor, hotel, drive back to Chicago...... approx 250.00 gas, 80.00 filter and fluid, 300.00 hotel 3 nights, 50.00 labor. Total 680.00

But you live in Chicago Ill. I called the local Chicago Chevy dealer below. They said approx 120.00 filter fluid change... flush/filter/fluid change 220.00

http://www.montellchevrolet.com/site/

or click on the links for local repair shops

http://www.yellowpages.com/Chicago-IL/Automobile-Diagnostic-Service

[rjgnwdc]

GM recommends changing filter & fluid @ 50K so it seems like a flush wouldn't hurt a thing, also they also recommend changing fluid in your tranfer case at 50K :thumbsup:

[speckketcher]

[QUOTE=pvgoheelsunc1;406883]Well BigED. Here is some info for you....

If you wanted to drive to NC this Sat and I could take you to my local shop they would change it for you. Cost to drive to NC, buy fluid and filter, labor, hotel, drive back to Chicago...... approx 250.00 gas, 80.00 filter and fluid, 300.00 hotel 3 nights, 50.00 labor. Total 680.00

But you live in Chicago Ill. I called the local Chicago Chevy dealer below. They said approx 120.00 filter fluid change... flush/filter/fluid change 220.00

Can I get a quote from Baton Rouge.....:dielaugh: J/K

Thanks for all the contributions to this thread

[tcarricato]

I would just drop the pan and drain the fluid and replace the filter. It is actually pretty easy if you have the tools you needs which isn't that many. Going to get it changed will cost you and this is and easy way to save some dough for mods...lol. For fluid i would just go with something name brand that you trust. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

[speckketcher]

I know to avoid the Jiffy Lubes of the world for service like this.....
What do you yall think of a national chain like AAMCO Transmissions.

I called for a service quote....Flush, Refill with Dex III, and filter change for $115.95 even if I misheard and it's $150.95. Sounds pretty reasonable.

My dealership will charge $250.00

Just curious....how many quarts of tranny fluid is needed to replace after flushing???

[Rocco]

went to a quick lube place and asked about getting the auto tranny on my wifes subaru flushed (they advertised $69)

they said change filter? no all we do is suck it out thru the dipstik and refill. so i said how can you call that a flush? they said, well we do it twice, that gets most of the old fluid out.:duh:

never take your car to any of these places, all the bad stories are true, they probably do more harm than good!

[pvgoheelsunc1]

Here it is SPECKKETCHER......

You get the same deal as BIG ED come to NC and back to LA for 680.00 or
call this Chevy dealer in Baton Rouge... http://www.brianharrisautoworld.com/

There price to do flush/filter/change 249.00... filter pan 120.00

or look these up..... http://www.yellowpages.com/Baton-Rouge-LA/Auto-Transmission?t=AUTO

AAMCO is good they give some type of guarantee... but look for the ones that are independent that have 20+ years of serv in the area...

[85vette]

I would call around, check with some independant shops. They appreciate the business and are often top mechanics that got tired of working for a dealer that charges $100.00 an hour and pays them $20.00 an hour. Just make sure they have been in business for several years and check them with the Better Business Bureau. All those quotes seem pretty high. Like I said, I pay around $60.00 here and that's the regular price for a transmission fluid exchange (pump out).