Transmission Fluid Change DIY

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Westlotorn

Thanks, I did not realize I was in the wrong forum. I still appreciate your tips.

And.... if you open the filler with the engine OFF, there will be a lot of fluid coming out (as the pump isn't running). You won't be able to put that much fluid back in with the engine OFF... it will run out of the fill hole long before you get the correct amount in.

Drain can be done with the engine off but the fill (and level check) MUST be done with the engine running AND the fluid at temp. No work around for this.

[Bmwtvboy]

I changed the fluid and filter every 60-70 K miles. It's not that difficult. I now have 220K miles and never an issue with the tranny. Although, did you know that if your MAF is disconnected your tranny acts up ? I found out by mistake. ONE important thing; don't over tighten the fill/drain bolts.

[TiminIndy]

I changed my ATF about a year ago, including cleaning the pan and replacing the filter & gasket. I only drained it once and was going to go back and drain/fill again, since once only gets about half of the old fluid out, but I never got around to it. I finally want to get that done, but since it has been a year (10K miles), I went ahead and ordered a new filter and plan to drop the pan and clean it again. This time I plan to drain, fill, drain, fill. (I only had a minimal amount of sludge in the pan after 90K miles, probably less than a 1/4" of metallic sludge on the magnet)

I'm trying to decide if I should replace the filter after the first drain or the second. On the one hand, the initial drain could reveal more sludge in the pan that could get stirred back into circulation when refilling. On the other hand, waiting to replace the filter until the 2nd drain would leave the new filter with less contaminants in the end. Does that make sense? What would you do?

I have 7 quarts of Mobil Dexron VI (synthetic blend) left over from the case I bought last year, so I need to get more of that. Looks like best price is still The Lubricant Store, at $55.44 a case:

Mobil ATF Dexron VI (Case - 12 Quarts)

[omodos]

Hmmm any idea if its the same for a 3.0d? my mechanic needs a whole day to do this, is that a fair assessment of time needed?

[TiminIndy]

I'm not a mechanic and it took me about 1.5 hours.

[Westlotorn]

I just drained my tranny fluid again, 300 miles after I changed the filter and fluid. The drained fluid came out pretty clean actually. I was surprised based on how dirty my 100,000 mile tranny fluid was coming out. No visible leaks anywhere now. That is a nice change.
On the initial oil change a month ago I ran the engine in gear for a while and drained about three quarts of the just installed fluid which came out a little dirty and then filled it again.
I think the multiple drain and fills have cleaned up the system. Should be good for a very long time now. I used almost 14 quarts of the Mercon fluid cleaning up the system.

[semcoinc]

Previously posted:

A couple years ago at 82k miles I changed my ATF to AMSOIL Signature Series ATF and changed the filter.

I did an initial fill and then changed the fluid 4X running about 20 miles between each drain and fill. Each drain and fill took about 4 qts. In this way, I got the entire system flushed with good fluid, minimizing or eliminating the old fluid residual rolling around in the converter and other places. A total fill is listed as 10.2 qts, so despite my perhaps overkill, I'm certain that I got to an all new fluid.


AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid

At 96K miles now with no complaints with a recent 1200 mile 4,000# trailer pull under my belt.



Updating my previous post: I am at 100,000 miles and continue to experience smooth operation.

[hpy540]

Hmmmm...... i am getting the occasional hard downshift....... 3-2,2-1 187k on a 05 4.4. i am thinking i need to change but was also thinking about solenoids. IDK. really on the fence.

[smokeyyank]

Originally Posted by hpy540

Hmmmm...... i am getting the occasional hard downshift....... 3-2,2-1 187k on a 05 4.4. i am thinking i need to change but was also thinking about solenoids. IDK. really on the fence.

I flushed mine, no change. The only way I can limit the harsh downshifts is by staying in manual mode and not going into 1st unless I'm at a complete stop. Helps but still has problems. The trannys on these things really piss me off.

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by smokeyyank

I flushed mine, no change. The only way I can limit the harsh downshifts is by staying in manual mode and not going into 1st unless I'm at a complete stop. Helps but still has problems. The trannys on these things really piss me off.

Hard shifting = solenoids. Slipping can be bands and such and is baaaad. Sometimes solenoids can help on that too. Harsh shifting is the better of the two symptoms to have from a fixing standpoint IF you get it fixed soon.