To change oil or not to change??

[Dirtcrasher]

Okay, so it's been debated that automatic transmissions had issues when mechanics dropped the pan, changed the filter and filled it up.

That to me, would be the correct thing to do. No, now they want you to suck all the fluid out thru the fill hole as to not "disturb" anything.

And the latest trend is "don't change it at all". If you've never been in an auto tranny, lol, you'd see just how many clutch packs are in there.

I now pull a heavy toy Hauler with an automatic trans. (not by my choice!!) and I am gentle with it. If it's not gonna do 75MPH up a hill, I pull to the right, pop on the hazards and gently make my way uphill at 50MPH.

Obviously, a 3/4 ton diesel is in my future, I'll give the Yota to pops!

But anyhow, something should be done IMHO.

What are some some opinions?, thanks...

[IKE-Z]

Some of the dealers/shops use the flush machine like BG and Wynns this is what we use and seems to do a good job. I like that it cleans the entire system. Working at a dealer the biggest thing we see is people using the wrong fluid. But I know from reading your posts about builds and work you do that won't be a problem.

[yaegerb]

If it has a lot of miles on the ATF I ALWAYS drop the pan so I can examine for any particulates, big chunks of metal etc. I then drain the conveter and change the filter.

[Rob Canadian]

I don't know about what other manufactures have as far as a drain plug etc. Mine has a drain plug on the tranny. I know it only drains about half of the fluid but I change it all the time. I do tow with my van but nothing heavy. It has a towing package with an Airlift 1000 in the rear coils.

Ya. The new way is never replace it... See how that goes. :)

[jonolanracin]

Ive often wondered about this and have asked a rew good tranny guys and they all have different opinions so i just went with the cheapest guy who said if it has high miles leave it as is now im not saying its the best idea but i have 320k miles on my service truck and its never had fluid changed with no problems .maybe its just because its a chevy idk but as long as its running i aint changing mine lol

[DohcBikes]

Ya. The new way is never replace it... See how that goes. :)It works.

Problem is, the truck is too small for the load. You are looking for a solution to the wrong issue. When changing fluid, drop the pan, is the best way, but regardless your truck is not built to pull that trailer.

Sell it, buy a 2500 350 chevy, 87-91

[El Camexican]

The way I've always understood it is that on a car, or light truck the ultimate way to care for an auto trans is to change the fluid and filter before the first 40,000 miles and then every 60,000 after that. If you get past 40,000 miles before doing the first change then don't! The detergents in the new fluid can loosen up varnish that has formed on some sealing surfaces and can cause the tranny to fail.

I think the suck out the dipstick thing started when they stopped putting drains in converters. If they don't do a flush you only get about half the oil fluid out. Supposedly if you have a high mile trans the trick is to drop the pan, catch as much of the fluid as you can, change the filter, put the old fluid back in and top off with new.

My $0.02, Good luck.

[bkm]

2007 Toyota Corolla bought brand new and has 150 on it right now. Reading on the dipstick it states to Not change the fluid under normal.driving conditions. It still shifts like it was new.

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[Jd110]

A good friend, that owns the busiest tranny shop in town, told me the "flush" sometimes puts too much pressure on an older tranny & will cause it to start leaking. So he just changed the fluid.
Imo, the 350 is no puller. It's a real dog on the hills with some weight. I think you've got the right idea with a diesel. Or big block.

[DohcBikes]

350 will pull just fine, the grunt is in the gearing, which will be correct if you buy a true 3/4 ton.

[Dirtcrasher]

^ You mean my 33" BFGAT's aren't geared right?, lol.

Edit - What a variance in replies!! is usually what happens with yet another oil topic...

[barnett468]

Edit - What a variance in replies!! is usually what happens with yet another oil topic...

Oh boy...an OIL thread and I'M BORED.

What is your exact question?

Some general info is this:

Trans fluid that is in good condition is bright red . You can gauge the general condition of the fluid by removing the dip stick then wiping it on a white paper towel and look at it right away before it soaks in much . If it looks dingy or slightly orange/brown, it is time to change it.

No flush in the world will remove all the sediment in the bottom of the oil pan.

There are some cases where installing new oil wil in fact eventually cause the trans to slip more and/or chatter . This is purported to be because the new fluid cleans the varnish off of the plates that has accumulated because the trans fluid wasn't changed at proper intervals.

Some of the newer cars say to never change the fluid or change it every 200,000 miles or something ridiculous like this which is the WRONG thing to do . I just went through this with our Lexus SC400 which had developed an occasional slight chatter when shifting, so I spent hours researching this problem before decided what to do and I ended up having the pan cleaned and the system flushed through the trans lines going to the radiator and I had them use fluid that was NOT recommended for this particular very expensive trans and if fixed the chatter.

Dexron has friction modifiers and Ford Type F does not.

Average viscosity of ATF is rated at around 7.5 . This will give you a reference point for fork oil weights since ATF was suggested by many mfg's for a lot of the older bikes.

If your trans has over 100,000 miles, I would adjust the bands because the slight slipping when changing gears that most auto transmissions are designed have, increases a little with time due to wear on the bands, and the more they slip, the quicker they will wear.



PREVIOUS KAWASAKI INTERNATIONAL R & D PROJECT ENGINEER AND ATV DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR

[Dirtcrasher]

Maybe next year I'll head down to a Barrett Jackson auction and bring me home a 8 lug 3/4 ton GMC from about 1980 that has had a frame off restoration and a ZR1 motor in it. I've watched numerous sell for 19K or less.

It's either that or a 7.3 because I've seen what they can do; I found 2 very nice ones last month but only 1 major purchase per year for me.

I do not want a newer truck with all the bells and whistles....

[86T3]

My outlook on transmission fluid is much like my outlook on life, I want it pink and no stink

[DohcBikes]

Maybe next year I'll head down to a Barrett Jackson auction and bring me home a 8 lug 3/4 ton GMC from about 1980 that has had a frame off restoration and a ZR1 motor in it. I've watched numerous sell for 19K or less.
There ya go

[RamsesRibb]

What's the point of getting a hip replacement when your paralyzed from a stroke? I never change tranny fluid and every failure I've had was engine related. With the way automobiles are made nowadays why would anyone keep it that long anyhow?