  |
Automatic Transmission Flush (4th & 5th Gens) Read this first for info on how to do the flush, install cooler and some pictures. If you are contemplating a trans cooler, now would be a good time to install it. Some recommend dropping the pan, cleaning the strainer and magnets which is a good idea but even the dealer doesn't do this. Its not a job for the average enthusiast. Before you start, go and buy 10 qts of your favorite auto trans fluid. (I recommend Mobil 1 Synthetic) The whole procedure can be done in 30 mins or less but take your time and do it right. 1. Jack up either the front or drivers side of the car and put in jackstand. 2. Remove the drivers side engine undercover. 3. Remove drain plug from transmission and drain fluid into suitable container, this will be approximately 4 qts. Insert drain plug and pour the same amount of new fluid into the transmission. (Transmission should now be back to stock level) 4. Disconnect the fluid supply line at the bottom of radiator. Its the bottom line connected to the transmission. (Be very careful removing this line, its very easy to break the hose nipple on the radiator) Put the end of the hose into a clean, clear or white plastic 1 gal container. 5. While you are holding the hose get someone to start the car until the transmission pumps out approximately 2 qts (half the container). This should take 15-20 seconds, its not really fast so don't panic, I do it all myself but its easier if you have someone to start and stop the engine for you. Note: If the trans fluid comes out of the bottom of the radiator vs the hose you are holding you have the wrong line. Put it back on and remove the other one. 6. Pour the same amount of new fluid back into the transmission that you pumped out. 7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until fluid changes color. Since you already put 4 qts in initially and the trans holds 9 qts we are talking about approx 5 qts. I buy 10 qts and remove that much just to be sure I got it all. (The trans flushing places use much more and synthetic fluid is expensive). 8. If your fluid is in fairly good condition the color change will be very small and may not be noticable so stop at 10 qts. 9. Reinstall hose to radiator, replace engine cover, lower car and recheck trans fluid level to make sure you have the correct level. Maybe even go for a small drive and recheck to make sure, its difficult to read at times. 10. There you have it. What you have basically done is removed all the fluid from the pan and replaced it. The internal pump takes its suction from the pan and pumps to convertor and all internal trans part then to radiator for cooling. So you have completely replaced all fluid internal to the transmission without shocking your transmission into submission like the force flush machines do. btw When the dealer does a transmission fluid change all they do is drain the pan and refill, which is right from the FSM. Also some people do a few drain and refills to change their fluid but all you are really doing is mixing 4 qts of new fluid with 5 qts of old fluid and pumping it around, eventually you would get a complete change but I really don't like the idea of mixing old and new, a complete change is very easy and does it all the first time with very little waste.
|