Transmission Flush services?

Question

Any new word on these? I've seen a lot or recent chatter that they really don't do anything more than the old fluid and filter change from the pan.

Answer 1

When I do a transmission flush at work, I drop the pan and change the filter and fill the transmission up (for a flush, exact level is not 100% nessicary). Then after I get that part finished, I hook a machine up inline, to dispose of the old fluid, and incert new fluid. Getting rid of any little metal filing still caught in the system, and getting rid of all the old/mixed transmission fluid from the cooler lines, cooler, and torque converter. It usually takes me about an hour and a half to do, on most vehilces.

Just draining the fluid and changing the filter is only doing half, if not, a third of the job, there is still fluid in the transmission cooler lines, the cooler and the torque converter. However, just flushing does not get the filings that are caught in the filter, and the dirt from the filter will contaminate the new fluid faster. The only way to do a 100% flush is to drop the pan, change the filter, and then flush the system out when hooked up to the flush machine.

Be warrned, If you vehilce has not been maintained well, as whatever is needed is done right then and there, and what ever is in the recomended service intervals is also done, you may ruin the transmission by flushing. If it has been done at every interval, and the filter changed every second flush (starting at the first flush, you should alwas change the filter at the time of the first flush, then third, then fifth, and so on.) you should be good, but this does not protect the transmission 100%. Regular changes will help reduce wear in the transmission, but I've seen it before, Transmissions failing after a flush/service. Sometimes it just happens, most of the time, it happens on vehicles that have not been properly maintained, more often then not.

In my opinion, If the transmission has never been flushed, and its over 150 000km, don't flush it, the damage has been done, and the transmission insides (depending on the transmission) is being held together by the metal filings of the transmission itself (sealing wear spots, and such).

Answer 2

close but no cigar - unlike engine oil - when you pull that plug
you drain all 5-6 quarts

but with a transmission - only 1/3 of the oil is held above the
filter - so it has to be flushed out - and refilled

otherwise - you really haven't changed much without the flush
and a tech that knows what they are doing

just had mine done by the dealer - I have a new car at 30k miles

best of luck!

PS - and as Luv said above - I took a car in - was told it had 'regular' maintenance - at 120K for trans service -
and I bought a $1,600 transmission not long after - it had NOT
been serviced regularly

Answer 3

the best thing to have done is have a good shop (not aamco, cottman, jiffy lube, etc.) remove the pan, drain the tranny fluid, and replace the filter. A good shop will also put back in the right amount af fluid (something I have yet to see from aamco). I reccommend between every 15,000 and 20,000 miles

If you are in the Los Angeles area, I reccomend Leon's Transmissions. They are the best shop I have ever found, and very honest. (no I don't work for them).

I came in with what I thought would be a transmission problem, and they examined it and found my fan clutch was seized an robbing power from the engine. I replaced it in a pep boys parking lot, and Problem Gone! they could have tried to sell me a transmission, but they found the REAL problem.

Answer 4

Be real careful about having your automtaic transmission flushed. If you haven't been having this done every so often (30,000 mile intervals) a flush can cause your automatic transmission to slip really badly.

Answer 5

I work in a shop that does these all of the time. Have never had a problem because of flushing. Yes change filter as well. Use a good shop and not a franchise one. Problems come in when the wrong fluid is used. We keep 6 kinds in stock. Quality shops will have the right fluid and do it right. Good maintainence keeps it going longer.

Answer 6

you have seen right , i have seen a lot of these done,and it don't do any better than just regular service does,i have seen in some cases people having more problems from having this done,but there will be those telling you it helps,you have to decide for your self,i have see a few transmissions go out shortly after having this done ,that had no prior problems before having it done,good luck,i hope this helps.

Answer 7

I just had it done on my 2011 Silverado, with 85,000 mile s on it. It is shifting alot better, and smoother now. I had it done at the dealership, Wynn s Transmission machine. They told me it was good for 100,000 mile s, with the V1 fluid, but I didn t want to wait too long. I havent had any problem s yet.

Answer 8

Do they also flush out converter . I'd like to know too !

Answer 9

They have machines that you hook up to that will take out old fluid as it puts in new fluid. they take off a line and hook one end up to take old oil while the other side puts in the new oil.

Answer 10

I am a mechanic and I don't recomend it.
I don't do it on my cars.