Transmission Fluid Flushes?

[Osaka]

Hi there, so currently I have a 95 ATX and have noticed that its shifts are kind of clunky/jumpy. I have been debating getting the fluid flushed and changed, but have heard a lot of mixed opinions on it where the transmission just ***** itself afterwards. Should or shouldn't I, and why?

 

[FrankK]

I'm no way an expert on this subject, hopefully others will chip in.

In my opinion I've heard bad things about flushing a trans, getting metal back into the trans from the procedure if the machine is not kept clean.

I don't have an older SHO, but on my SHO I use the drain and fill method. Find the drain plug, measure what comes out and replace with new fluid designed for your trans. Usually 5-7 quarts.

Do this a couple times over a few thousand miles and see if it helps.

Frank

 

[NoSlo]

The transmission will definitely crap itself if you don't maintain it.

Don't take it to a oil change tune up place unless you do want it destroyed, though.

There is a procedure for dropping the pan, draining and cleaning it, adding more fluid, flushing thru and emptying the torque converter and pump thru the cooler lines etc. Replace filter and gasket with correct long stem orange o-ring filter.

 

[luigisho]

A power flush on these I would not recommend either. On a newer car with consistent maintenance I would worry less, but this is not that, and trying to get one of these rebuilt reliabily could be an issue with questionable quality aftermarket parts. You may or may not even be able to locate some tranny parts anymore. I stick with manual trans on the older cars for this and other reasons.

 

[Sammyp]

I would definitely take it to a professional. Just flushing it yourself can possibly lead to transmission failure. If it is shifting poorly, a flush will most likely not improve anything and can be the sign of an impending catastrophic failure. Parts are hard to find but still available and any reputable transmission shop can get them - I know because my transmission started to exhibit bad shifts last fall and eventually failed. My mechanic recommended a privately owned local transmission shop. He rebuilt mine (he was able to locate quality aftermarket parts) and installed a shift kit. It was not cheap, but some things like automatic transmissions cannot simply be fixed by a change of fluids and need to be diagnosed by a professional.
Good luck

 

[RonPorter]

I would get it flushed, then go for a bit, drop the pan, and change the filter.

In 12/2006 I bought a 2000 F250, with 98k, as a work truck, to haul a 7000# work trailer around natural gas wells in SE KY. I had Jiffy L-ube (can't believe that this was censored!) flush it, with the old fluid looking like chocolate milk. Had it done again 10k later. After 20k, had the pan dropped and filter changed. Then went to 15k flushes. The drained fluid got closer to red each time it was done.

Sold the truck in 12/2013, with 222k miles. Still original trans, shifting strong. Don't believe the "old mechanic's tales" about flushing the trans. Those are the same people that will tell you to never flush your brake fluid or power steering fluid either!

 

[Kebabaluba]

The transmission will definitely crap itself if you don't maintain it.

Don't take it to a oil change tune up place unless you do want it destroyed, though.

There is a procedure for dropping the pan, draining and cleaning it, adding more fluid, flushing thru and emptying the torque converter and pump thru the cooler lines etc. Replace filter and gasket with correct long stem orange o-ring filter.

Is that procedure written somewhere? I would love to read about it