should i change trans fluid
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: houston, Tx (for now)
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1992 firebird
Engine: stock 305
Transmission: stock
Axle/Gears: stock
should i change trans fluid
92 firebird 305 auto. the trans has 108,000 and im sure its never been changed. my wife's mom bought it new in dec 91 and i just bought it last week. the trans fluid is dark but it shifts fine it will even chip the tires when it hits second. if i change the fluid i know i'll be losing some of the clutches friction material thats suspended in the fluid. i don't want to create a problem by changing the fluid. anyone change their trans fluid and then have a problem. opinions?
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern IN
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 89 Camaro, 00Xtreme s-10, 89 Buick "Party Ave"
Engine: 305tbi
Transmission: 700r
Re: should i change trans fluid
my tranny guy advised me to leave mine alone, since it has high milage and I don't know the history if its been changed or not....he said something to the effect that when you change the old fluid and filter to new ones...the pressure on the valve body increases...and breaks debris free that was built up on these surfaces, and causes it to clog passages, and possibilly ending the life of the tranny. He told me to just run it, and when it has a problem, wait till then to mess with it, then re-build it.
#4
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Calimesa, California, U.S.
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 0
Received 42 Likes
on
29 Posts
Re: should i change trans fluid
"he said something to the effect that when you change the old fluid and filter to new ones...the pressure on the valve body increases...and breaks debris free that was built up on these surfaces, and causes it to clog passages, and possibilly ending the life of the tranny."
I have heard some nonsense before, but this is ridiculous. As long as the transmission is working ok, you can do a "complete" change, not a partial change of fluid.
I have heard some nonsense before, but this is ridiculous. As long as the transmission is working ok, you can do a "complete" change, not a partial change of fluid.
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern IN
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 89 Camaro, 00Xtreme s-10, 89 Buick "Party Ave"
Engine: 305tbi
Transmission: 700r
Re: should i change trans fluid
he was refering to high mileage auto transmissions that haven't been serviced regulary....hes a vietnam vet that been working on transmissions in his own professional transmission shop daily since the early 70"s....so believe what you want but that my 2 cents...
but you emphisize the "complete" fluid change, as oppose to a partial change(the commom filter/4-6 quart drop the pan type of change most people do at home) your saying take it to a shop and remove all the fluid (the 12 quarts or so) from the torq converter and everything...like a total flush some shops advertise for $120 or so??? partial change bad....total flush good??? is that what you mean???
but you emphisize the "complete" fluid change, as oppose to a partial change(the commom filter/4-6 quart drop the pan type of change most people do at home) your saying take it to a shop and remove all the fluid (the 12 quarts or so) from the torq converter and everything...like a total flush some shops advertise for $120 or so??? partial change bad....total flush good??? is that what you mean???
Last edited by ryan77; 08-16-2007 at 07:00 AM.
#7
Re: should i change trans fluid
just drop the pan, change the filter, and refill. I had a 92 bird followed that routine every 100k and she lasted over 200k. Keep in mind I had the car in high school so it took a tremendous amount of abuse.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Calimesa, California, U.S.
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 0
Received 42 Likes
on
29 Posts
Re: should i change trans fluid
Yes, it is a total flush, but I would do it myself that way "you" know what got flushed. Remove the pan, and replace the filter with a oem type, and reinstall the filter, it must say "filtran", "microfelt", SP, or "Sealed Power" on the filter. Once this is done, disconnect the return line from the radiator (top) at the transmission and put it into a container. Fill up the transmission and start the motor, let it idle, and start adding fluid as fast as possible, once the fluid changes to the new color stop the motor, top off, and recheck the level, you should be ready to go.
Last edited by Pro Built Automatics; 08-16-2007 at 07:33 AM.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Huntington, NY
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: should i change trans fluid
what would you guys say is the best trans filter? what do you guys use??
#11
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Newport Beach, Ca.
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1988 Iroc
Engine: 383 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: BW 9 bolt 3.27
Re: should i change trans fluid
Absolutely change the fluid and filter. Look at different filters, they are not all the same. I found that on older cars with high miles, a filter that has a screen instead of one that looks like fabric works better. The finer mesh filter tends to clog. I have never replaced an auto trans in any car I have owned, this is with 200k+ miles on them. If I use a deep pan, trans cooler and change the fluid and filter 1 a year, no problems.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Huntington, NY
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1983 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: LG4 305ci 4bbl
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt open diff.
Re: should i change trans fluid
the auto parts store i work at carries GKI brand trans filters and i've heard they're good. its what all the mechanics use...at least all the ones we deal with. never heard any complaints. where would you get "filtran", "microfelt", "SP" or "sealed power" filters anyway?
p.s. the trans only has about 27,000 miles since the rebuild so its not exactly high mileage...make any difference?
p.s. the trans only has about 27,000 miles since the rebuild so its not exactly high mileage...make any difference?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
maroe624
Transmissions and Drivetrain
4
04-16-2017 08:29 AM
92camaroJoe
Tech / General Engine
6
08-13-2015 06:07 AM