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Tips about Transmission Flush!

3852 Views 43 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  snowwy66, 
16WhiteColly
Just ran across a really good video on youtube, that clears up some of the concerns about automatic transmission flush. The mechanic does this all day long and has for tge last 20+ years, with great success. He has one that shows him flushing a trans on a 17 or 18 Colorado. This video link that I am posting is just a generalized explanation of flushing and how shops create problems with their procedure. Hope you enjoy, he is well known on youtube. Feel free to move this thread to the correct forum. Was not sure where to post it.

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gherbert
That is some of teh stuff I have wondered about
Not been a fan of not dropping the pan and changing the filter
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L
16WhiteColly said:
Just ran across a really good video on youtube, that clears up some of the concerns about automatic transmission flush. The mechanic does this all day long and has for tge last 20+ years, with great success. He has one that shows him flushing a trans on a 17 or 18 Colorado. This video link that I am posting is just a generalized explanation of flushing and how shops create problems with their procedure. Hope you enjoy, he is well known on youtube. Feel free to move this thread to the correct forum. Was not sure where to post it.

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wow thank you! This might help fix my trucks issues
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TunaFresh
What process do the GM dealers use?

I agree with everything he said, however I'd be a bit hesitant on using Amsoil ATF. The Mobil 1 fluid is as good or better, with the correct friction modifier amount. Amsoil is very good, but under warranty, especially in this unit I'd be a bit cautious using it.
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16WhiteColly
Here is the 2018 Colorado video.

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N
Heh, I like his approach about not taking apart the exhaust when you live in the rust belt. Seems like he makes it work with the pan just sitting there.
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Browneye
Definitely do a drain and fill early on - fluid is cheap. ESPECIALLY if you have a 8 speed. Use the M1 blue label. For the 6-speed, Delco dex6 is your go-to.
If it's still clean then the filter is clean - no need to change it 'till the service interval recommendation, which I think is about 100K.

I got an extractor - you suck it out of the rubber-plugged fill port that used to contain a dipstick. Fill in the same place. If you measure what you take out and put the same back in you're golden. Or just do the temp set and drain plug for fluid level setting.

Dex6 made mine shift like new again - all the shuddering is gone.
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DieselDrax
I effectively did my fluid change the same way as he does in the twin-specific fluid flush video and it worked very well with minimal mess. I didn't drop the pan and replace the filter since that had been done about 15k-20k prior. I installed an aux trans cooler and wanted to make sure the trans started out with fresh fluid at that point so I could get a better idea of how much longer the fluid lasts (I was having to service the fluid annually due to the crappy factory cooler and seeing pretty warm trans temps while towing and off-road) before starting to darken.
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Tom S.
TunaFresh said:
What process do the GM dealers use?

I agree with everything he said, however I'd be a bit hesitant on using Amsoil ATF. The Mobil 1 fluid is as good or better, with the correct friction modifier amount. Amsoil is very good, but under warranty, especially in this unit I'd be a bit cautious using it.
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Dealers use a flush machine. The thing to remember is this: once your vehicle is past the warranty and repairs are on your dime, the dealers/techs make a lot more money, so there is little to no incentive for them to do what's best, which would be to drop the pan, clean it out, install a new filter and then do the flush. GM goes so far as to say the filter doesn't 'normally' need to be replaced. This could be true if you drive like your great-grandmother. GM has undoubtedly determined a projected life span for these vehicles and are most likely right - within that life span, you don't need to replace the filter. BUT.... if you look in the manual, you will note that most/all recommended service intervals have two sets of figures, including one for severe or heavy duty use. That is the guideline I tend to favor because I for one do not drive like my great-grand mother (who used a horse and carriage).

I plan on doing a flush on my truck sometime this year at around 50 k miles. I will drop the pan, change the filter, then either do the manual flush by pulling a line or take it somewhere for a machine flush. And while Amsoil is "OK", I'll use the proven factory fluid.
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S
Further to this......I had the dreaded shutter about 2 months ago, and had the fluid flush done at the dealership under warranty (38000 miles, but only 2 months left on the 5 year power train warranty).
I see that the severe use recommendation for fluid change is 80000 miles, so I figure I have reset the clock and should be good for another 80K. Yes or no?
Any comments would be appreciated!
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ARCowboy
TunaFresh said:
What process do the GM dealers use?

I agree with everything he said, however I'd be a bit hesitant on using Amsoil ATF. The Mobil 1 fluid is as good or better, with the correct friction modifier amount. Amsoil is very good, but under warranty, especially in this unit I'd be a bit cautious using it.
Click to expand...
For the 8 speed gas engines I'd stick to the Mobil1.

For the diesel, I swapped to AMSOIL at 12k miles with a filter change and have no regrets. Transmission is still shifting smooth 65k hard ish miles later
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S
I'm surprised he doesn't use a 12v extraction pump. I have one and it's really clean and fast. I pumped in to a measuring jug that holds 6 quarts. Took about 30 seconds.

I used amsoil. Shifted tons better.

As he stated. Newer transmissions don't have a pan. My cruze is one.
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gherbert
5
TunaFresh said:
What process do the GM dealers use?

I agree with everything he said, however I'd be a bit hesitant on using Amsoil ATF. The Mobil 1 fluid is as good or better, with the correct friction modifier amount. Amsoil is very good, but under warranty, especially in this unit I'd be a bit cautious using it.
Click to expand...
Dealers just hook the Flush Machine to the Coolant Lines
They do not drop the pan and change the filter
Photograph Screenshot Font Computer Software
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https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163890-9999.pdf
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L
gherbert said:
Dealers just hook the Flush Machine to the Coolant Lines
They do not drop the pan and change the filter
View attachment 446584 View attachment 446585 View attachment 446586 View attachment 446587 View attachment 446588

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163890-9999.pdf
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I thought that was the difference between fluid change and a fluid flush? In my experience flush is more in depth and always includes a filter change.
Transmission Fluid Change vs Flush | Jiffy Lube
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gherbert
last_cajun62 said:
I thought that was the difference between fluid change and a fluid flush? In my experience flush is more in depth and always includes a filter change.
Transmission Fluid Change vs Flush | Jiffy Lube
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Well I know when I had the flush at the dealership
A filter was not paid for
Paid for the Fluid and For it to be done
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Mtn_man
ARCowboy said:
For the 8 speed gas engines I'd stick to the Mobil1.

For the diesel, I swapped to AMSOIL at 12k miles with a filter change and have no regrets. Transmission is still shifting smooth 65k hard ish miles later
Click to expand...
My buddy blew his diesel trans at 130k but towed and beat it. He said it took more time to program than r and r. We both work at different repair shops.

Sent from my SM-S918U1 using Tapatalk
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Redliner04
I got a 16' with the LFX. Just turned 48k and have noticed an intermittent shudder under load at low speeds. In the manual it doesn't even mention trans service in the "normal" schedule. Only in the "severe" schedule does it mention service at 45k...mine's been pretty much a daily with really pretty mild off road stuff. Heck, I've only used 4wd like a handful of times in the winter here in buckeye land, LOL. Think it's safe to go out a bit further, if so, how long?
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16WhiteColly
IMO, 30,000 mile interval is the best for the transmission life.
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Browneye
Redliner04 said:
I got a 16' with the LFX. Just turned 48k and have noticed an intermittent shudder under load at low speeds. In the manual it doesn't even mention trans service in the "normal" schedule. Only in the "severe" schedule does it mention service at 45k...mine's been pretty much a daily with really pretty mild off road stuff. Heck, I've only used 4wd like a handful of times in the winter here in buckeye land, LOL. Think it's safe to go out a bit further, if so, how long?
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Do it now. Unless you want to buy a new transmission. :ROFLMAO:

Dex-VI for a 6L50. The 6-speed isn't quite as problematic as the 8 speed that came out in 2017. Betting you'll notice a difference in shifting with new fluid.
A couple of drain and fills are sufficient for this slushbox. A dealer service or 'flush machine' process gets the fluid out of the torque-converter too, and costs a LOT more.

BTW, for general information - I found RockAuto selling Dex6 quarts for $6.10 each. You have to pay shipping, but if you're buying other stuff it's still a bargain. I finally got the Cadillac I wanted - a '13 XTS with 60K miles on a 6T70, the fluid was nearly black. Did a drain and fill three times to replace 87% of the fluid - nice and pink now. Shifts like butter - now I know GM can actually build a proper shifting automatic. SMH
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DieselDrax
Browneye said:
BTW, for general information - I found RockAuto selling Dex6 quarts for $6.10 each. You have to pay shipping, but if you're buying other stuff it's still a bargain.
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A little over $8/qt on Amazon for folks that don't want to pay for shipping from Rock Auto.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Valvoline DEXRON VI/MERCON LV (ATF) Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid 1 GA (883572-EA) : Automotive

Buy Valvoline DEXRON VI/MERCON LV (ATF) Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid 1 GA (883572-EA): Transmission Fluids - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
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