Trans flush question
04-14-2006, 07:36 PM
#1
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wappingers Falls, NY
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trans flush question
I'm at 47K miles and about to get the transmission serviced. Should I get just a fluid flush, or flush with a new filter? Thanks......................
04-17-2006, 06:46 PM
#4
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got over 135,000 miles on my '02 SE and have yet to have the transmission serviced, at all. I had a '95 Grand Prix that I had either flushed or filter and fluid changed every 30,000 and still put in a transmission at 155,000 miles. I followed the manual on my '97 Suburban and replaced that tranny at 160,000 miles. The way I see it is that even if the tranny goes out tonite on the way home, I'm money ahead.
04-17-2006, 07:52 PM
#5
Originally Posted by travisd
I've got over 135,000 miles on my '02 SE and have yet to have the transmission serviced, at all. I had a '95 Grand Prix that I had either flushed or filter and fluid changed every 30,000 and still put in a transmission at 155,000 miles. I followed the manual on my '97 Suburban and replaced that tranny at 160,000 miles. The way I see it is that even if the tranny goes out tonite on the way home, I'm money ahead.
Explr1 -- If you are going to get it done, I suggest you change the filter. The filter is installed from the factory to filter out debris. Installing a fresh one will never hurt.
04-17-2006, 08:05 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
On the other hand, assuming you do the flush yourself, counting the fluid and filter kit, you're out maybe $50 tops. If that $50 extends the life of the transmission enough to eliminate the need to replace or rebuild it during the time you own the car, you are far ahead.
Anecdotal evidence like "I've gone 135,000 miles without flushing and still am on the original transmission" really doesn't prove anything. You would need to do something like a large scale medical study where the control group doesn't do anything at all while the trial group changes theirs on a routine basis. Åt the end, you would then compare the average transmission life for each group. My money is on the group that does routine maintenance.
Anecdotal evidence like "I've gone 135,000 miles without flushing and still am on the original transmission" really doesn't prove anything. You would need to do something like a large scale medical study where the control group doesn't do anything at all while the trial group changes theirs on a routine basis. Åt the end, you would then compare the average transmission life for each group. My money is on the group that does routine maintenance.
04-18-2006, 09:23 AM
#7
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
A transmission is similar to a motor in that the oil or transmission fluid (another oil) has additives and cleaners in it. By not changing it or flushing it you are not replacing those additives regularly. (I'm guilty as well..but know better)
04-18-2006, 10:38 AM
#8
RIP
True Car Nut
If in doubt, go to a tranny shop and ask them about the varnish that builds up over time, what causes it, what problems it causes, and if they're more likely to see vehicles that have the fluid changed regularly, or those that don't. Stil not a scientific analysis, but will be a bit more representative.
A littlle math quiz. How many changes would it take at the $50 level (my last flush cost me $60) before you broke even with a cheap ($1,300 ) rebuild?
A littlle math quiz. How many changes would it take at the $50 level (my last flush cost me $60) before you broke even with a cheap ($1,300 ) rebuild?
04-18-2006, 08:03 PM
#10
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been told by an independent that only does transmission repair that if you go very far over the recommended fluid/filter change interval to not do it at all. The reasoning behind this is that the new fluid causes havoc on the worn internal trans parts and will cause a failure shortly after. Through my own personal experience plus my father-in-laws '86 Buick Park Ave. that had 204,000 on it before the timing chain broke and stories like vital49'*, I feel more than okay with my tranny maintenance or lack there of.