Transmission Fluid/filter change request turned bizarre!! (best, Dodge, clutch)

[Mac_Muz]

Originally Posted by Steve Bagu

The theory of a flush started back in the early 1950's with the intro of detergent in the oil. My dad had a gas station and shop and was talked into the new tech detergent oil by the oil company owner who was also a customer of my dad. The name McMillan ring a bell?

So dad did try the detergent oil in a customers car and it started to burn oil right away and cost my dad a ring job for free because of the detergent oil.

What happens is that over a period of time small corners (seals etc) are working well and then the flush will loosen up the seals and "VOLA" burning oil or slipping in the case of a Auto trans.

Bottom line is if there is no problem...don't create one. A simple fluid change and filter/screen in the tranny will suffice...NO flush.

A former retired mechanic and a son of a mechanic.

Steve

X tech here too, and I agree. Dump the pan, drain what comes out, and add, No flush. This leaves a mix of old and new as the torque converter will retain old ATF. Backing up this post.

[X-Greensboro Resident]

Originally Posted by Lux Hauler

Now... are you actually doing complete flushes or are you replacing filter and pan fluid only? It is unnecessary to complete flush out all of the fluid in those short intervals. You should only need to do filter and pan fluid each time. The transmission is a sealed system and the only particulate generated is from itself which is efficiently caught by the filter. If you wish to do entire flushes that's fine but it won't help you much in the long run.

Also, make sure Gus and Earl down at the local garage are using the proper ATF fluid for your vehicle and not some generic universal blend.

Yeah, I just want the tranny fluid drained, pan dropped/cleaned and the strainer/filter either changed or cleaned. I think for this model, it's a strainer/screen that can be cleaned. Then, put the pan back, fill up with AT fluid and drive for another 30K!

I did email the local dealer a couple of weeks ago just to get an idea about the filter/strainer/screen and get a ball park for the cost. They quoted me $325 bucks to do this but with a flush!! I thought it was highway robbery so I was hoping my mechanic would do it for alot less and NO flush, just a fluid change. The local dealer is very pushy about a flush... Not sure why... At 93K, I asked for a fluid change also and they talked me into a flush, but I didn't do the pan and strainer at that time. I really believe that just dropping the pan and changing the fluid without the flush every 30K is enough.... Not sure why the dealer is so pushy about a flush! Money, I guess!!

[Mac_Muz]

Money........

[johnfrisco]

My mechanic also refused to changed my transmission fluid
//www.city-data.com/forum/autom...-my-trans.html

[Lux Hauler]

They aren't called "stealerships" for nothing...

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by X-Greensboro Resident

Yeah, I just want the tranny fluid drained, pan dropped/cleaned and the strainer/filter either changed or cleaned. I think for this model, it's a strainer/screen that can be cleaned. Then, put the pan back, fill up with AT fluid and drive for another 30K!

I did email the local dealer a couple of weeks ago just to get an idea about the filter/strainer/screen and get a ball park for the cost. They quoted me $325 bucks to do this but with a flush!! I thought it was highway robbery so I was hoping my mechanic would do it for alot less and NO flush, just a fluid change. The local dealer is very pushy about a flush... Not sure why... At 93K, I asked for a fluid change also and they talked me into a flush, but I didn't do the pan and strainer at that time. I really believe that just dropping the pan and changing the fluid without the flush every 30K is enough.... Not sure why the dealer is so pushy about a flush! Money, I guess!!

This is going to be some seriously good advice for you.

I used to own a 1987 Corolla which is basically the same car (older version). These cars are SUPER easy to change the transmission fluid because you do NOT need to drop the pan. They actually have a drain plug just like the oil pan. My coworker has a 1996 Geo Prizm and it also has the plug so your car does too. I would buy 4 quarts of Mobil one Synthetic transmission fluid and change it yourself. It will cost you only around $30.

[wheelsup]

Mobil 1 ATF is good fluid too, I agree. Recommended as long as your car fits the spec sheet, which if it takes Dex III it will.

[X-Greensboro Resident]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

This is going to be some seriously good advice for you.

I used to own a 1987 Corolla which is basically the same car (older version). These cars are SUPER easy to change the transmission fluid because you do NOT need to drop the pan. They actually have a drain plug just like the oil pan. My coworker has a 1996 Geo Prizm and it also has the plug so your car does too. I would buy 4 quarts of Mobil one Synthetic transmission fluid and change it yourself. It will cost you only around $30.

Yeah, but I thought it was a good idea to get the pan, magnets in the pan and strainer/filter cleaned. Also, is it a really good idea to mix Moblie one fluid with what's already in the tranny?

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by X-Greensboro Resident

Yeah, but I thought it was a good idea to get the pan, magnets in the pan and strainer/filter cleaned. Also, is it a really good idea to mix Moblie one fluid with what's already in the tranny?

I personally drove my Corolla over 100,000 miles just by changing the transmission fluid every 20,000 miles with Mobil one. I bought the car with 150,000 miles and it had over 260,000 when I got rid of it. The transmission fluid was also black when I got it, and it became clearer and clearer as time went on. I used my car as a delivery vehicle out in Phoenix AZ so it stood up well. Mobil one is completely mixable with regular ATF too. I never did change the filter or screen. I only drained and refilled every 20,000 miles is all.

[guy1]

These guys invest money in equipment, hence they advocate the flush. Your idea on how to service your transmission is exactly correct though.

My mechanic told me the screen does not need to be replaced during a drain and refill, however.

Dropping the pan, drain and refill should not cost more than $150 total, methinks.

Originally Posted by X-Greensboro Resident

Yeah, I just want the tranny fluid drained, pan dropped/cleaned and the strainer/filter either changed or cleaned. I think for this model, it's a strainer/screen that can be cleaned. Then, put the pan back, fill up with AT fluid and drive for another 30K!

I did email the local dealer a couple of weeks ago just to get an idea about the filter/strainer/screen and get a ball park for the cost. They quoted me $325 bucks to do this but with a flush!! I thought it was highway robbery so I was hoping my mechanic would do it for alot less and NO flush, just a fluid change. The local dealer is very pushy about a flush... Not sure why... At 93K, I asked for a fluid change also and they talked me into a flush, but I didn't do the pan and strainer at that time. I really believe that just dropping the pan and changing the fluid without the flush every 30K is enough.... Not sure why the dealer is so pushy about a flush! Money, I guess!!