Transmission fluid

I would like to change my tranny fluid in my 94 caprice because it has been a while and its starting to get discolored. is this simply a drain and fill like oil or is it more complicated?

yes theres more there is a filter in there you need to change and i recamend dexstron 2 or 3.

here is a link for you. that job is a bit of a messy one. the filter is a bit of a bear to do unless you useing a hoist. the oil is dexron VI ATF. http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c15280047980

I would like to change my tranny fluid in my 94 caprice because it has been a while and its starting to get discolored. is this simply a drain and fill like oil or is it more complicated?

if you have repair skills and tools this is not that hard...the pan needs removal by unbolting..there may be other componets that need be removed to get the pan off...on my 96 lt1 it is not an issue...

I use 4 ramps with a 8inch lift,this keeps vehicle level and is high enough to do this job..

the fluid will get all over because of no drain plug..so plastic sheet and a large pan...you could use a trash barrel cover..

with the pan out the filter is visible and will need be pulled out and if necessary replace the seal...make sure the filter you have is correct..

clean the pan carefully and the magnet,,,sometimes repair shops throw magnet out [hard to clean] magnet is needed..at pan bottom..

when installing the pan the gasket if a good one will hold the pan bolts,,,this is good to help keep gasket in place...before installing gasket make sure pan is not bent where it was bolted as this can cause leak..

tighten to about 7-10ft lbs and re-torqure after a few days ...
I believe it will take 4.5quarts of dexron fluid....recheck fluid after it is hot to fill to the exact correct level..if cold it will be low on stick..

if fluid still looks off color and smells bad ...repeating the fluid change is a good idea...

I just changed the fluid and filter in my 89 wagon with 200r4 trans.
I replaced the fluid with Royal Purple max ATF.
It's more expensive ($11.50 /quart) than regular ATF but I thought I would give it a try. It took 4.5 quarts to fill.

Car now seems to coast better when you let off the gas, could be my imagination also.

Also, when i removed the filter, the seal stayed in the trans. It was a bit of a PITA to remove but make sure it is removed or new filter will not install properly.

To keep the driveway clean, it wouldn't hurt to put down some newspaper or cardboard to catch the fluid that misses the drain pan

Have fun

Al :smokin:

This might be a little more than im willing to try...but i appreciate all the details

This might be a little more than im willing to try...but i appreciate all the details

It's not really that bad of a job.
Why not give it a shot......

Al :smokin:

i dont think i have the right equipment to get the car in the air...if it were a drain and fill job like oil i would do it but takin the pan off and torqing it properly im not sure i could do myself...in the back of the owners manuel for my 94 caprice for the tranny fluid it says drain and fill 5 quarts and complete overhaul 10 quarts...how would you get the other 5 quarts out if taking the pan off only gets 5 quarts out?

i dont think i have the right equipment to get the car in the air...if it were a drain and fill job like oil i would do it but takin the pan off and torqing it properly im not sure i could do myself...in the back of the owners manuel for my 94 caprice for the tranny fluid it says drain and fill 5 quarts and complete overhaul 10 quarts...how would you get the other 5 quarts out if taking the pan off only gets 5 quarts out?
A lot of that extra fluid is hiding in the converter, pump and cooler lines.

You can get some of the extra dirty fluid out. After you replace the pan and refill the transmission, remove the trans cooler return line on the transmission.
(On your trans, it's on the passenger side, lower fitting, I think.)
Place the line in your drain pan. Have a buddy start the car (still in the air). Dirty fluid should flow out of the cooler line. After about a quart has flowed out, shut the engine off.
Have your buddy add a quart of clean fluid to the tranmission, and restart the engine. Repeat this process until clean fluid comes out the cooler line.

yes theres more there is a filter in there you need to change and i recamend dexstron 2 or 3.
DEXRON VI is the current GM Spec transmission fluid for all GM automatic transmissions that previously used DEXRON III. It is far superior to the DEXRON III it replaced.

DEXRON VI is the current GM Spec transmission fluid for all GM automatic transmissions that previously used DEXRON III. It is far superior to the DEXRON III it replaced.


That by the book or actual long term experiance?????

That by the book or actual long term experiance?????
Here is the TSB that was reprinted in the GM TECH Link magazine, May 2007 issue.
General Motors
DEXRON®-VIGlobal Service-Fill Specification

http://www.gmtraining.com/TMSWebtree/techlink/images/issues/may07/images/3x3/fig1_sm.jpg
figure 1



In early 2005, General Motors released a newly developed automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for the factory fill of all GM Powertrain stepped-gear automatic transmissions. The new fluid provides significantly improved performance in terms of friction durability, viscosity stability, aeration and foam control and oxidation resistance. In addition, the fluid has the potential to enable improved fuel economy and extended drain intervals. Because the performance of the new fluid far exceeded that of the DEXRON-III service-fill fluids available at the time, it became necessary to upgrade the DEXRON service-fill specification in order to ensure that similar fluids were available in the market for service situations. This latest upgrade to the service- fill specification is designated DEXRON-VI (fig. 1).

http://www.gmtraining.com/TMSWebtree/techlink/images/issues/may07/images/6x6/fig1.jpg
Since General Motors introduced the first ATF service-fill specification in 1949, it has been necessary to upgrade the specification periodically.

The upgrading process ensures that available service-fill fluids are of an appropriate quality for use in transmissions that have been designed around the factory-fill fluid performance.

TIP: As with previous upgrades, DEXRON-VI fluids are designed to be backward compatible with earlier transmission hardware. More importantly, earlier type fluids are not forward compatible with transmission hardware that was designed to use DEXRON-VI fluid.

DEXRON-III is not compatible with the most recently designed transmissions, and the use of these earlier type fluids could result in transmission damage. All current calibrations and certification tests are now conducted with DEXRON-VI ATF. DEXRON-III fluids should not be used for those applications where the owner manual recommends the use of DEXRON-VI.

TIP: GM does not license or support obsolete ATF specifications or the use of fluids that are being marketed against cancelled specifications.

All DEXRON-III licenses expired at the end of 2006 and will not be renewed. Beyond that date, GM will support only DEXRON-VI fluids for use in Hydra-Matic transmissions. Avoid fluids sold in the market after that date bearing claims such as “suitable for use in
DEXRON-III applications” or similar wording. DEXRON-VI licensed fluids are fully backward compatible and can be used in all applications covered by earlier GM ATF specifications.

The use of unlicensed fluids and/or non-GM approved aftermarket additives may prove detrimental to transmission performance and void warranty coverage.

- Thanks to Angela Willis
Precaution: DEXRON-VI in Manual Transmissions

When DEXRON-III is indicated as the fluid fill for manual transmissions and transfer cases, DO NOT use DEXRON-VI. Instead, use GM Manual Transmission Fluid p/n 88861800 in these components.

TIP: Refer to PIP3836B (Feb. 2007).

If the manual transmission or transfer case indicates use of DEXRON-VI, then, of course, it should be used.

Purging Equipment

Before filling your bulk fluid equipment with DEXRON-VI, be sure to purge the old oil from it.

Also, be sure to purge your J-45096 Transflow machine before using it with DEXRON-VI.

That's what I thought. The reliance on MARKETING as "data" is just sad these days.

Not saying VI is bad just saying you BLIND belif in it is not based on any real data.

Bet you believe M1 5w-30 is the best oil for an LT1 or LS1 too right? Has to be since they put it in the Vette. Trouble is when folks actually began testing the wear metal content of used oil it has consistently shown to be mediocre IN THESE ENGINES. In others it is genuinely a great choice.

Point being even quality products can be missaplied, and GM's goals are not always those of the enthusiast.

That's what I thought. The reliance on MARKETING as "data" is just sad these days.

Point being even quality products can be missaplied, and GM's goals are not always those of the enthusiast.

GM only cares about the bottom line...because it was revealed that this new fluid would reduce recalls and costs on warrantee repairs they dumped dexron III...

I have not used the dexron VI...many years ago I dumped the dexron III over the suggestion of an aviation engineer...I have to say I will never regret paying 6.00/quart for this mobil synthetic transmission fluid...

faster shifting and its unbelievable in cold below zero F temps...DEXRON III sucks...I've only owned 4 vehicles since 1967...so what I do to my vehicles If I screw up,,, its not going unnoticed...no tranmission work ever...except fluid and filter changes...

thats not scientific its reality........

GM only cares about repairs and warranty work on NEW cars, they don't give a rats rear about a 14yo car so while the newest fluid might be perfect for the newest stuff that means nothing to the older stuff. I mean means nothing too I am not saying it is bad or good.

Fluid specs are generally minimums with a few ranges thrown in some manufacturers will barely hit target minimums others will far exceed.

Dexron VI is thin to start, may not be the best move for old seals, then again most Dexron III fluids shear down to being about as thin as VI with relatively little use so it may not be of any harm to start with a thin fluid.

Each transmission is different too what works in a TH400 may not work as well in a 4L60E. Were you running Dexron VI in a 4L60E in 1967?
No you weren't because both were a long ways off in the future so all that experiance means little.

I face this same ignorance with the carbed guys who swear everything about my car is impossible, have a current bet going with one when we dyno my car he says it will lose 20hp from 6000 to 6200 because it has GM hydraulic lifters in it. Thing is other cars with the exact same parts basically plateau gaining just as little from 6000-6500rpms but still gaining.

I do not know od a single reputable 4L60E builder that recommends Mobil 1 in a performance 4L60E, it slips especially when cold even builders who have different opinions of what parts to use agree on that. Now the hacks that built me a 4L60E that could not handle 350flywheel HP they swore by M1, that tranny lasted 16 months the first few of which with the L99 at maybe 220hp, then a stock LT1 then a zz4 cammed LT1 with the wonderful M1 fluid. The current tranny is 5 years old the last almost three of which it has been at least 470hp and not seen any synthetic fluid.

Granted with the high performance I demand of it the load is not the same as the average driver, but the performance of a stock LT1 is well ahead of even the LO5 from just the hear before so experiance from before the LT1 may not apply.


People don't grasp that just because a product is high quality does not make it good for every application I will refer you back to the M1 oil I mentioned above like I said mediocre in a LT1 or LS1 does not mean is a bad product, it is awesome for a 1.8t VW. Actually by measured data the best oil for an LT1 LS1 is Castrol Syntec labled "made in Germany" 0w-30 but according to the owners manual that weight is unacceptable. 5w-40 Rotella T synthetic works fairly well too, again not a recommended grade at least not in the US, exported cars they actually rcommended 15w-40, the 5w-30 thing is CAFE driven as is the switch to ever thinner tranny fluids.


Actually the only tranny I ever blewup had M1 fluid in it for all 16 months it was together, the preceeding tranny had not blown was rebuilt to handle the power I was adding.

Hello. If your vehicle calls out vi use it. My 2006 grandprix calls out the vi so i will use it. The 2 cases of dex. Iii i have in the garage will go into my 84 caprice & 86 silverado. When it is used up i will switch to the dex. Vi. Walmart carries their house brand dex.vi @ $3.48 a qt. So price is no longer a consideration. Since gm does not license it any more will dex. iii be discontinued???? I am still pondering what to do with the case of b&m trickshift on the shelf.

Hope this helps
john in belton
novaz27