Yes or no on a tranny flush?

[Sputnik312]

My manual says every 100k for "normal" usage and every 50k for "severe" usage.
I changed mine at about 85k(mostly highway miles) and it was still pretty red.

If I were you I would follow Steve's advice and drop the pan and replace the filter.
I would also order a new Dorman pan with the drain in the bottom so it is easier to do a drain/replace later.

I figure if you swap out 1/3 of the fluid this time see if it helps you or if you start having more problems. If things clear up maybe your filter was getting clogged. If it gets better I would do another drain/replace in like 5k miles and then again at my next oil change.

If it is still acting up I would make plans to get it to a repair shop.
One thing to note about the tranny pan is the bolts are tightened in inch lbs not foot lbs so they really aren't that tight.
I think it is about 120 inch lbs which I think is about 10 ft lbs.

Ok that's sounds good! I'll be sure to let everyone know how things go: figures crossed

[Sputnik312]

I would drop the pan, swap the filter, put new fluid in....

I concur, + do it yourself, save some money towards the trans rebuild.

If just changing the fluid kills your transmission, then it was on it's way out anyways!

Ok thanks James- after the advice I got on here and from talking to my friends it sounds like that is my best option at this point

[Sputnik312]

I stopped by advance auto parts today. A new tranny filter is only 20 bucks. He said that it should help me out. - looks like I got a messy weekend coming up lol

[navigator]

mine wasn't too bad.
Loosen one end "faster" than the other so you can kind of direct the fluid.
I would buy a dorman replacement cover so the next time all you have to do is remove the plug to drain and refil.
I plan to do that my next drain/replace.

[Sputnik312]

Haha ok I'll give it a try! Thanks for the help guys.

[Trail X]

mine wasn't too bad.
Loosen one end "faster" than the other so you can kind of direct the fluid.
I would buy a dorman replacement cover so the next time all you have to do is remove the plug to drain and refil.
I plan to do that my next drain/replace.

You can also buy bolt-in plugs. Just requires a single drilled hole. Saves some money.

[navigator]

correct, I think they run about $20 and the other pan is about $40.

[JCrayton99]

I recommend a tarp. Or a very large pan. I bought mine at just shy of 70k and dropped the pan, changed the filter, and put new fluid in at 100k. I plan on doing it again, and getting a new pan, at 140-150k. Or a rebuild with a new pan.

[Sputnik312]

I recommend a tarp. Or a very large pan. I bought mine at just shy of 70k and dropped the pan, changed the filter, and put new fluid in at 100k. I plan on doing it again, and getting a new pan, at 140-150k. Or a rebuild with a new pan.

Haha yes a tarp is a must. I have a few laying around in my shed so I'm sure they will come in handy this weekend. Hopefully the weather is nice lol

[DirtyBacon04]

its not that bad if tranny fluid gets on anything. It is a natural detergent. I was always taught as a kid that if the bottom of your car is unusally clean, you might have a xmsn leak. It'll wash out of most things. Unlike oil w/ 6000 miles

[OregTrailBlazin]

What happens when you flush/filter change after going longer than you should is the new fluid will break loose allot of grime built up in the tranny and plug your new filter and starve it of oil.

If you've gone too long between maintenance, and are doing it yourself the best thing is to flush and the change filter, drive for a week, flush again, go another week and flush change filter again. By that time you should have everything broken loose that will, collected in the first new filter.