1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Tranny flushing...yes or no?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-26-2005, 01:31 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
 
BonnevilleSEman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Diberville Mississippi
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BonnevilleSEman is on a distinguished road
Default Tranny flushing...yes or no?

Is having my tranny flushed a good idea? Or is it not good..it'* never been done and the fluid in there is nasty looking.. It going to be done at my dads work.

I just don't want to frag my tranny.

James
Old 02-26-2005, 02:28 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
fantastic88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
fantastic88 is on a distinguished road
Default

How many miles are on it? If over 100K i'd be careful.
Old 02-26-2005, 03:11 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
GAMEOVER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Racine Wi
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
GAMEOVER is on a distinguished road
Default

there are mixed opinions on that issue do what you want
Old 02-26-2005, 08:20 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
dblack1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dblack1 is on a distinguished road
Default

i dont know much about trannys, but i have heard that if u should have a filter change, drive about 500 miles, then have a flush...
Old 02-26-2005, 09:31 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
bill buttermore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Ames, Iowa
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
bill buttermore is on a distinguished road
Default

I would not take my car to a commercial shop that advertises transmission flushing. I would be concerned that, if not done properly, more harm than good will come of it. I know two people who have had it done - my neighbor John, whose trans was working fine, and my friend Jason, just wanted to do preventive maintenance. Both lost their trannies within a month of having them flushed. I realize this evidence is anectodal and may simply be coincidental, but, combined with other warnings I have read online, I have decided I will not have it done to my car.

Instead, I would jack it up, loosen the pan, drain the fluid, remove and clean the pan, replace the filter and replace the gasket and pan. Refill and go. If I were really concerned, I would repeat in 6 months. This is the safe way to add fresh fluid. You don't get all the old fluid out this way, but if you change it twice, you will get most of it. This is described, I think in Techinfo.

Just my $.02
Old 02-26-2005, 10:27 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
opensourceguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Three Oaks, Michigan
Posts: 4,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
opensourceguy is on a distinguished road
Default

There is another recent tranny flush post, that I posted the links to two or three threads that have all the information laid out for you [pros/cons to flushing and/or just drain 'n' fill].


-justin
Old 02-26-2005, 07:53 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
CFoote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
CFoote is on a distinguished road
Default

OK I have to jump on the YES bandwagon here. I bought my '96 with 115k on it and I had a flush done. 15k later it is still working fine and I find the transmission actually downshifts now when going up hills -- it didn't before (I had to press down on the pedal).

At any rate I had heard scary things about flushes too but my tranny is very happy with the flush...
Old 02-26-2005, 08:43 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
 
Ol' Timer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: New Jersey - Most of Our Elected Officials Have Not Been Indicted
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Ol' Timer is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by bill buttermore
I would not take my car to a commercial shop that advertises transmission flushing. I would be concerned that, if not done properly, more harm than good will come of it. I know two people who have had it done - my neighbor John, whose trans was working fine, and my friend Jason, just wanted to do preventive maintenance. Both lost their trannies within a month of having them flushed. I realize this evidence is anectodal and may simply be coincidental, but, combined with other warnings I have read online, I have decided I will not have it done to my car.

Instead, I would jack it up, loosen the pan, drain the fluid, remove and clean the pan, replace the filter and replace the gasket and pan. Refill and go. If I were really concerned, I would repeat in 6 months. This is the safe way to add fresh fluid. You don't get all the old fluid out this way, but if you change it twice, you will get most of it. This is described, I think in Techinfo.

Just my $.02
Personally, I would listen to Bill Buttermore and do EXACTLY what he described!.
Old 02-26-2005, 09:26 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
 
BonnevilleSEman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Diberville Mississippi
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BonnevilleSEman is on a distinguished road
Default

Dad'* garage did a double flush...it works sooo good now...he did an engine vac too...

All is well..he said all the 3800 series cars that are regulars haven't had any problems....

James
Old 02-26-2005, 09:46 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
 
Ol' Timer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: New Jersey - Most of Our Elected Officials Have Not Been Indicted
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Ol' Timer is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by BonnevilleSEman
Dad'* garage did a double flush...it works sooo good now...he did an engine vac too...

All is well..he said all the 3800 series cars that are regulars haven't had any problems....

James
What'* a Double Flush? Isn't once enough? And did they drop the pan to clean it and replace the transmission filter?? I'm not too familiar with an egine vac? Is that similar to using GM'* Top Engine Cleaner??


Quick Reply: Tranny flushing...yes or no?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:39 PM.