DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

I use this with add'l fittings on ea end, makes it a breeze. I can drain a full gal while filling a full gal all at once. Easier if you have two people, but it can be done solely

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Got my fluid level straightend out. It was about a half a quart low. That explains why it drove fine but wouldn’t come out the check hole. This time I used the temp check mode method of jumping the wire at the ODBII instead of the Fusion app although I have no reason to doubt the Fusion app. I am going to let it cool way down then add a half quart and check it again just to be rock solid.

All in it was good experience but not getting any fluid out when I thought I added more than I took out was stressful. I noticed some big oil spots where I was working so I guess I spilled a whole lot more than I thought!

I’m at 127k so I’ll do this again around 200k with a pan flush in between.

 

How frequently does the fluid need to be replaced?

 

I am saving my 3/8” clear tubing for next time. A 9mm shell casing fits in there perfectly to keep dirt and debris out.

 

Oh, and I figured out what screwed me up with the fluid level. When I did the pan drain and fill the week before, I drained three quarts from the pan and thought I put back 3 quarts. However, I bought a gallon jug of the fluid so I had to transfer to a quart size bottle so my pump would work. The bottle I thought was a quart was only 20 oz, about 1/3 or so shy of a quart. So I started a about quart low.

I am saving all my quart size ATF bottles to refill from a gallon jug of fluid next time.

 

I’m not sure what the specs are but here’s what mine looked like at 127k of highway driving (no towing) compared to new fluid. I don’t think every 60k would be overkill.

 

Think it's recommended every 60k

 

You need a graduated beaker. Qt bottles, may or may not be filled exactly. I found that out.

 

@TheDevilYouLove

Woah, looks like my truck is probably due for a fluid change. Thanks man!

 

Just did the DIY flush on the new truck. Thanks to the OP, this forum and the members this was an easy job that took me no time (dang me that drill pump and filling through the cooler return line is nice. Just lean against the front of the truck and squeeze a trigger instead of laying in the dirt pumping fluid).


I found Aisin WS on RockAuto for 6 sumpin' a quart so bought a case.



This was the first collection after draining the pan contents first. Not awesome looking after ony 39,000 miles. Glad the old stuff is out, along with all the other fluids.



Thanks again!

 

Dang, I have the tow package with tranny cooler so I guess I’ll do it that way next time.

Anyone know how much the stealerships charge for a full tranny flush? I’m wondering how much money we are saving. Probably hundreds!

 

I wouldn't trust my dealer to fill my blinker fluid. Knowing it's done and done right is worth my time and energy on all maintenance, but it's always nice to save a few bucks, too!

 

I called my local one here last week and $249+tax is what i was quoted. Now... she could not tell me if it was a drain and replace or if it was a flush, she just said they could do both

$349 was for a radiator flush.

 

Yeah, my local one tried to pull a fast one on me, and then really screwed up a simple rotation and balance. They guy called me back and said i needed an alignment (it had been a while, so i said sure). He was supposed to show my how out of spec it was (basically a report showing justification) and the guy never could produce it. On top of that, they couldn't rotate and balance my tires without it feeling like my truck was going to shake apart. Went up the ladder with the intent of letting them know what happened; and they made it right, so i can't fault 'em for that. I've just been burned with the last few mechanic's ive been to (got major trust issues at this point, LOL)

 

If a coolant flush is $349 I suspect the $249 is just a pan drain and refill. $249 for a full tranny flush would be pretty reasonable, I think. Especially if the filter is changed as well.

At any rate, you can DIY for less than $100.

 

This was so easy I think I am going to flush the fluid annually. I only put about 15K or so on the truck a year, but the trans would probably last forever if you have fresh fluid running through it all the time. And the Valvoline MaxLife synthetic ATF is pretty cheap at WalMart. Perfect project for a cool fall day for a cost of $80 in fluid.

 

Flushed, filled and ready to check levels. I have 2 questions

1) I jumped pins 4 and 13 and entered A/T Temp Mode. Am I supposed to remove the jumper after this mode has been achieved? Or do I leave the jumper in while performing the whole check fluid process?

2) I have successfully entered A/T Temp Check mode however my temp check light is a deliberate blinking rather than a flicker before turning solid. What does a constant blink mean? Am I over temp and need to let it cool down?

 

1. Leave wire in
2. Constant blink is too hot. Let it cool down for an hour and try again.

 

OK, I opened of the check plug while the A/T Temp light was blinking and nothing came out. I measured all that I removed and added and I know I added almost 1 quart more than I removed. Would it being too hot to check level cause it not to drop any overflow fluid or is it more likely I a, still a little low?

 

Still low. A lot can spill and maybe your measurements weren’t quite right. I had trouble with getting it to come out and I added more than two quarts more than I took out before I finally had some drain out. I believe the fluid expands when it gets hot.

Why is it hot? Did you drive it around or let it idle a long time?