Quick question

[Timw286]

If anyone has paid for a transmission flush and filter replacement can you let me know how much you paid for it. I want to DIY but I have a very busy schedule and limited means..and I hear the machine that shops have is the best way to do it. Thanks

[mcgyver59]

Pretty sure its in the 150 range for filter and flush

[Bradley G]

If you DIY you can check the pan for metal shavings with a pan drop.
You can also determine if the pan has been down before.
If you get a flush with a machine done typically they don't change the filter.
If anyone has paid for a transmission flush and filter replacement can you let me know how much you paid for it. I want to DIY but I have a very busy schedule and limited means..and I hear the machine that shops have is the best way to do it. Thanks

[Baconbit]

Better off to wait until you have the time yourself and drop the pan and check for shavings and replace the filter...it is not too hard on these cars

[Timw286]

Shavings would be a sign that I need repairs or is it something that is inevitable?

[Timw286]

I can't find the "How To" for transmission flush either?

[slickster]

I would like to know how to tell if the pan has been drop befor this is good to know for if the tranny fluid has not been changed in a long time I've herd its not good but if done regularly then its ok. Tim my guy can come to you and doit for 150 and ill also tell him to check other stuff for you also like that jerking thing you was talking about. if you can make it to columbia I think he could doit for 100 or less

[quick vic]

I worked at a quick lube center, And on a tranny flush and pan drop we would show the people their tranny pan with the shavings in it but most shops dont your best bet would take your car to someone u trust for the service you want, GOOD LUCK..

[Rockettman]

And what's the best fluid for this flush 'n' fill?

[RF Overlord]

Shavings would be a sign that I need repairs or is it something that is inevitable?If you find "shavings", put the pan back on and start saving for a new transmission...see below.


I would like to know how to tell if the pan has been drop befor this is good to know for if the tranny fluid has not been changed in a long time I've herd its not good but if done regularly then its ok. I'll deal with this in 2 parts.

First, the way to tell if the pan had been down is to look for the "lollipop" or "baby rattle". It's a small yellow plastic dust plug that is dislodged when the dipstick is inserted at the factory. If you find it floating around in the fluid (normal), then the pan has never been dropped.

Second, there are a lot of myths about changing transmission fluid. Everyone knows someone who heard from his cousin's uncle's barber's mechanic that "a guy" had his fluid changed and the transmission croaked 3 days later. What REALLY happened is that "the guy" had never had his transmission serviced until it started acting up or making odd noises. THEN he takes it in for a fluid change, hoping that will fix it. When the neglected and damaged transmission finally fails (2 days or 2 months later), since the fluid change was the last thing done, then OF COURSE that's what killed it. :rolleyes:

If your fluid is not brown, burnt, and nasty-smelling, then definitely get it changed. If is been a lot more than 30,000 miles, you should have a complete fluid exchange, not just a drain & fill.

Tim, to answer your question: there will normally be a thin film of dark-coloured clutch material wear particles coating the inside of the pan. There will also be a build-up of dark-grey metal "sludge" on the magnet. Both of these are normal. If you find actual "shavings" in the pan, or if the magnet has "grown" to twice normal size or something excessive like that, then something is seriously wrong.

[ctrlraven]

I installed a Art Carr deep trans pan with a drain plug. Every 3rd oil change I drain about 5 quarts out of the trans pan and replace it with new fluid. I haven't done it as of late cause when I had the Jmod done back in the spring I had a new filter installed and about 9 new quarts of fluid added.

Depending on your mileage a flush by a machine may not be what you want. If you have high mileage and never had the trans serviced before, just have the pan dropped and filter changed. There are a few step of machines, there is a gravity flow and force flush. Gravity flow is the better of the two.

If you want to be a DIY person, get a deep trans pan from a vendor here or find a E-series trans pan that has a drain plug in it. You could even have a shop drop your stock pan, change the filter and install the new pan and every other oil change or every oil change just drain the trans fluid and you'll have mostly new fluid, I wouldn't do more than 5 back to back as trans fluid (Mercon V only!) can start to add up in cost.

Some people here even do the two bucket system for their own DIY home trans flushing.

[Ozark Marauder]

If anyone has paid for a transmission flush and filter replacement can you let me know how much you paid for it. I want to DIY but I have a very busy schedule and limited means..and I hear the machine that shops have is the best way to do it. Thanks

At the Dealer:

5 qts fluid, transflush, new screen filter, $142.80, $45.00 labor = $187.80

[slickster]

What happend to me was I did a tranny flush on a crown vic that had no tranny issues what so ever and 100 miles later the tranny went on a good transmission

[Timw286]

If you find "shavings", put the pan back on and start saving for a new transmission...see below.

I'll deal with this in 2 parts.

First, the way to tell if the pan had been down is to look for the "lollipop" or "baby rattle". It's a small yellow plastic dust plug that is dislodged when the dipstick is inserted at the factory. If you find it floating around in the fluid (normal), then the pan has never been dropped.

Second, there are a lot of myths about changing transmission fluid. Everyone knows someone who heard from his cousin's uncle's barber's mechanic that "a guy" had his fluid changed and the transmission croaked 3 days later. What REALLY happened is that "the guy" had never had his transmission serviced until it started acting up or making odd noises. THEN he takes it in for a fluid change, hoping that will fix it. When the neglected and damaged transmission finally fails (2 days or 2 months later), since the fluid change was the last thing done, then OF COURSE that's what killed it. :rolleyes:

If your fluid is not brown, burnt, and nasty-smelling, then definitely get it changed. If is been a lot more than 30,000 miles, you should have a complete fluid exchange, not just a drain & fill.

Tim, to answer your question: there will normally be a thin film of dark-coloured clutch material wear particles coating the inside of the pan. There will also be a build-up of dark-grey metal "sludge" on the magnet. Both of these are normal. If you find actual "shavings" in the pan, or if the magnet has "grown" to twice normal size or something excessive like that, then something is seriously wrong.


Thanks for clearing that up, I'll post my findings!