Transmission flush. Worth having done?

[CaveDog]

My TB is pushing 52k and the manual calls for changing the tranny fluid and filter but the dealership recommends a transmission flush. According to the service manager they don't change the filter because the flush cleans it out but I've read that a flush still leaves gunk. He also says that just changing the fluid and filter still leaves the torque converter full of dirty fluid that a flush will clean out. Of course, I trust the stealership about as far as I can toss the whole building so thought I'd seek some independant opinions. For 159 bucks is it worth it to have the flush done?

[05 lowered]

I have always been told not to do a flush because the tranny needs some of that gunk to operate properly.

I am getting ready to do a fluid and filter change so if anyone has better info please post.

[02NYenvoy]

I was told not to do a flush because the high pressure from the machine will do damages to the transmission, do a pan drop, change filter and re-fill.

[Robert1101]

This might not be the best way but this the way I did this task. First I bought a Hughes deep trans. pan. This pan adds 2 qts to the trans., is finned, and has a drain plug for future fluid changes. Change the filter, put on the new pan and fill with 7 qts of Dex-IV. Now I know that the torque converter is full of old fluid but I will change the fluid again in 5K miles. Might be a over kill with fluid but I do not trust using the pressure method. Now on this sight someone posted a way to use the trans pump to change fluid and that might be a good way of doing this.

[markarock]

There is a great article on a DIY trans flush that uses the internal pump in the transmission to get rid of all of the old fluid, including the fluid in the torque converter.

http://forums.trailvoy.com/articles.php?do=viewarticle&artid=88

If you are at all handy, you can do it yourself and save $$$.

I haven't done it, but it doesn't seem too difficult. Time consuming is all.

I've been debating whether to do it myself or pay to have it done. (Too many chores, not enough time.)

Knowing me, I'll do it myself. But first I want to change the transfer case fluid.

Mark

[actionemt2]

after I changed my transmission fluid and filter bout a month or so later I started having problems with my tranny

[elementkidd]

i got my car used, it has 140k miles on it now and i dont think they have ever had the trans fluid changed.... some say once you go so far not to do it but idk, seems to me it needs to b done! actuly i need to do all my fluids, rear diferential, and trans case too....

[MYBLK05LT]

Ok, so i'm only slightly confused at the moment...I originally bought my truck with around 52,000 miles on it and it now has 76,000 miles on it. I don't have any knowledge as to whether or not the tranny fluid has been changed. My question is, should I go ahead and have it changed/flushed? My concern is that being it has that kind of mileage on it, will any problems develop? I've heard mixed results when getting a tranny flushed, especially on the 360's. Any thoughts on this?

[superman_79065]

Ok, so i'm only slightly confused at the moment...I originally bought my truck with around 52,000 miles on it and it now has 76,000 miles on it. I don't have any knowledge as to whether or not the tranny fluid has been changed. My question is, should I go ahead and have it changed/flushed? My concern is that being it has that kind of mileage on it, will any problems develop? I've heard mixed results when getting a tranny flushed, especially on the 360's. Any thoughts on this?

I would NOT get the flush..a fluid and filter change will suffice. Flushes are unnecessary, unless you have been experiencing a particular problem.

[wardak33]

i flushed the fluid in my transmission at 125k miles, and the fluid was BURNT. Ever since then it has been running great, and i've been hitting it pretty hard too. but now, when i shift from reverse to drive, it always takes a second to kick in...i've never actually noticed it. is this what others also get?

HOLY CRAP THIS IS MY 500TH POST!!!! SENIOR MEMBER!!!:woot::woohoo:

[RayVoy]

My TB is pushing 52k and the manual calls for changing the tranny fluid and filter but the dealership recommends a transmission flush. According to the service manager they don't change the filter because the flush cleans it out but I've read that a flush still leaves gunk. He also says that just changing the fluid and filter still leaves the torque converter full of dirty fluid that a flush will clean out. Of course, I trust the stealership about as far as I can toss the whole building so thought I'd seek some independant opinions. For 159 bucks is it worth it to have the flush done?I think your good 'til 100k, I normally change at 80,000. A fluid and filter change is all u need.
Hey, when you change the engine oil some stays behind. It mixes with the new and the filter takes care of any thing that might be in the old oil. The trans fluid is the same, what stays behind will mix with the new.

[perley03]

I was told not to do a flush because the high pressure from the machine will do damages to the transmission, do a pan drop, change filter and re-fill.
WRONG. The flush machine does not pump anything into the transmission. They unhook the lines from and to the transmission cooler, plug in the machine and start the car. Your transmission is nothing but a big fluid pump. So your transmission actually pumps in its own fluid at its own pressure. The machine does nothing but hold new fluid and collect the used fluid coming out.

[BerettaAL391]

My TB is pushing 52k and the manual calls for changing the tranny fluid and filter but the dealership recommends a transmission flush. According to the service manager they don't change the filter because the flush cleans it out but I've read that a flush still leaves gunk. He also says that just changing the fluid and filter still leaves the torque converter full of dirty fluid that a flush will clean out. Of course, I trust the stealership about as far as I can toss the whole building so thought I'd seek some independant opinions. For 159 bucks is it worth it to have the flush done?

Please let others know which Stealership this is so they can be avoided. In order to clean out the crap in the filter without taking it off, you'd have to reverse the flow of fluid. This guy is an idiot and a half!

[WOOLUF1952]

QUOTE=perley03;620067]WRONG. The flush machine does not pump anything into the transmission. They unhook the lines from and to the transmission cooler, plug in the machine and start the car. Your transmission is nothing but a big fluid pump. So your transmission actually pumps in its own fluid at its own pressure. The machine does nothing but hold new fluid and collect the used fluid coming out.[/QUOTE]

:iagree: But the pan should be dropped and checked for contaminants and a new filter installed.:m2:

[Robert1101]

Please let others know which Stealership this is so they can be avoided. In order to clean out the crap in the filter without taking it off, you'd have to reverse the flow of fluid. This guy is an idiot and a half!

Most stealerships will tell you the same story. Has ANYBODY heard any other story from another stealership?

[BerettaAL391]

Most stealerships will tell you the same story. Has ANYBODY heard any other story from another stealership?

Yeah, the one near me will flush and change the filter.

[spenny]

I have a 2005 trailblazer with 52k and just like described above stealership says i need a transmission flush, id prefer to do it myself and save both the money and replace the filter, how difficult is this to do, am i in over my head or should i just pay to have it done. really appreciate your guys thoughts on it. This websites awesome and you really do get the best responses on what to do.

[05_TB]

I have a 2005 LT. I just got mine flushed at 62,000 miles. The dealership wanted to do it. So i let them. Figured if anything happens, its on them. They warrantee the work. Plus i am still under warrantee for a couple more years. So shouldnt have to worry about it. I say get it done. I did notice a difference in shifting. No more clunking into gear. It is more smooth. Other than that, havent noticed anything different. Coulda used a few more Miles to the gallon... :suicide:

[markarock]

...stealership says i need a transmission flush, id prefer to do it myself and save both the money and replace the filter, how difficult is this to do, am i in over my head or should i just pay to have it done?

The Search function is your best friend.

Here's a thread you could have found.

http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=71032

I believe there's also a How-To article that suggests replacing the fluid a slightly different way. Do a search. You'll find it, and threads on replacing the filter. There's even a thread that tells you how to put a drain plug in your pan. And one that tells you about using a larger/deeper pan if you don't already have one. :)

[spenny]

Ya i actually read that article you posted word for word after i posted on here originally, and it looks fairly simple, wasnt sure if it was any differenet for a 4wd vs the 2wd tb that they said the work was being done on.