Tranny Fluid Change

I have a 98 w/65K on it. Reading the owners man, it says that I may never need to change the trans fluid in it. It still shows that it is at 100% but it worries me to leave it go if it will cause problems later. So far all is smooth with it. I know a person that has a 97 w 105K and his is also at 100%. Is this a good idea to leave the fluid in there that long? Or, if its working good, better to leave it alone. ?? Thanks all.

no matter what, the console will always show 100% transmission fluid life. To answer your question, you should definately get it changed. Not changing it can greately reduce the life of your transmission. I would say every 30,000 miles is a good interval. You want the shop to drop the pan and replace the two screens and put on a new gasket. If you are a DIYer, its a few hour job. I did mine a few weeks ago and it didnt take long at all. About $10 for fluid and $25 for the gasket/screen kit. Much cheaper than the $150 - $200 a shop will likely charge.

Do you know if there are any band adjustments while I'm in there? Thats a big looking pan! I did my Dodge truck, and screwed up the adjustment and had to drop it again. No fun. Thanx!

I have a 98 w/65K on it. Reading the owners man, it says that I may never need to change the trans fluid in it. It still shows that it is at 100% but it worries me to leave it go if it will cause problems later. So far all is smooth with it. I know a person that has a 97 w 105K and his is also at 100%. Is this a good idea to leave the fluid in there that long? Or, if its working good, better to leave it alone. ?? Thanks all. i was told if your vehicle has high milage and the tranny fluid has NEVER been changed don't touch it..your asking for slippig problems..a mechanic explained in detail why this COULD happen..if i can recall,he explained that every time the tranny shifts it causes wear of moving parts that come in contact with each other.this causes micro particles to float around in the tranny fluid.these particles actually help the moving parts grip better when shifting..when you change the fluid you still have normal wear of the transmission parts but the new fluid may cause the moving parts to slip easier.you might ask a tranny shop to look at your fluid before changing.

well unless your shifting your tranny hard like shifting gears and all that and going really fast all the time and you check your fluid and its not a good red color like it should be then you should replace it but if your driving normal and the tranny fluid looks good keep it.

Interesting counterpoint here. I was stuck in stop and go traffic some weeks ago and the next day the DIC showed Change Oil and Tran Fluid Now! Went to the closest Jiffy Lube and had the do an oil change AND tranny change. A couple of days ago...same thing...WITH LESS THAN 800 MILES ON THE LAST REPLACEMENT!!! What gives?

I do think there are sensors somewhere that tell the DIC that the fluid is bad. They just don't seem to do anything for regular usage. I too never had the life go off 100% before (or since) I had to limp home a couple hundred miles in 2nd gear. I apparently burned the crap out of the fluid according to the tranny shop. My DIC went from 100% to either 40 or 60 left- I forget now as it doesn't really matter. Check your fluid to make sure it looks good, then I suppose have someone look at it to find whatever is telling it that the fluid is bad.

I'm a little concerned as my tranny life went from 100% to "change now" literally overnight, along with the oil going from 40% to "change now" at the same time. I think maybe I'll get on that one this week.

Well, I think I should probably plan on doing it. The fluid is not as red as it should be. Is there anything speacial about doing it, or is it just messy like any other tranny? I'm too cheap to take it to the shop if I can do it on the ground myslelf.

I need some advice here..... I called Olds Dealer here and got the cost on the tranny fluid change. The filter is $36, the gasket is $36, or I can buy a kit for $91. The parts guy did not know what else was included in the kit. Is there possibly new o-rings or something else that I would need that may be in that kit? The whole pricing of this seems a bit high, but I checked with O'reilly and they also want 36 for the filter. Help! Do I try to find cheaper less quality? Or is the dealer parts the best way to go?

i am not sure about a 98, but i helped change out the filters in a 95.. there were 2 mesh filters in there, similar if not the same,they seemed quite clean and the only real dirt was inside the pan itself,we washed the pan out with solvent...

Stopped into my parts store for a filter and gasket kit for my '96. They had the filters, but no listing for a gasket.

The guy behind the counter suggested that perhaps the transmission had a reusable metal gasket and that a replacement was not required.

Is this so - or do I need to keep looking for a gasket somewhere else? If so - where have others gotten one?

Thanks -

Thanks carver...
Based on newscarvers statement that the filter(s) were not that dirty, has anyone else seen the same? (Clean filters).? If they are coming out clean, is it possible that I can get one of those oil pump thingy's and just suck the fluid out from the filler hole? Or is there stuff in the way down to the pan?
If in fact the filters from others are fairly clean, I am thinking if I can do what I suggest, it could benefit..? At least the fluid would be changed. Anyone else tried this?

As easy as it is, just drop the pan and save the worry. To answer questions, I just changed my fluid 2 days ago. One of the easiest tranny fluid services I've done. VERY shallow pan helps a lot. Loosen all the bolts, drop the REAR of the pan to drain, that will get most of the fluid. When you take the pan off, there's little of anything left in there. There are 2 screens that pop into the tranny with rubber seals. The new seals will be supplied on the new screens. These screens always look clean, that doesn't mean they are. I pulled the right/rear one off (which looked fine) and fluid came gushing out after it. It was a 'little' clogged. I got my kit at O'Reilly for about $30 (discounted), 2 screens and a cork gasket. Throw the cork gasket away!! The car has a rubber impregnated steel gasket already, wipe it off with a clean rag (no solvents) and reuse it. The stock gasket has collars around all 16 bolt holes to prevent overtightening. Use the cork gasket and you'll dimple the pan and it'll leak like a madman. Mine took 6 qts ATF3, says 6.5 in the manual. Easy job, do it yourself but do it right.
-N8

For $30, I'll do it. I'll check with O'reilly again and bring em down. Another question though,,, I have the Autobahn deal and when I looked at AutoZone specs, it says I need 10 qts of DexIII,(possible needs that much?) guess I will try to keep track of what comes out, and guesstimate how much hits me and the floor.. :)
On the gasket issue, should I put a small amout of sealer on it ?
Thanks!! -phil

Mine's an Autobahn too, 6 qts. NO sealer on the gasket. Accurate torque method for pan bolts: 1/4" ratchet, one hand. They don't need very much.
-N8

Here is what the GM dealer in my area recommends for the transmission:
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
Change automatic transaxle fluid and bottom
two screens if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90 O F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police car or
delivery service. If you do not use your vehicle
under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.

Thanks all, I will tackle this on Saturday.. Get it Done so I can quit worriing about it.
1/4" one hand, snugged not torqued...got it. No sealer. 6qts DexIII.

Yeh, I do mainly hot driving,, Dallas Forworth, it's all city.

Mine's an Autobahn too, 6 qts. NO sealer on the gasket. Accurate torque method for pan bolts: 1/4" ratchet, one hand. They don't need very much.
-N8

Success! This was a piece of cake. Thanks for the encouragment to do this and get it done. Everything went smooth and really better than I thought it would. I've not seen an easier fluid change. Gasket was good, screens needed changing, and it took 6 qts right on the money. thanx!!

yurwelkum