Changing Fluid In Torque Converter

Hi all...new here with a 2000 Grand Caravan, 150,000 km and rebuilt transmission last summer. Still works fine...wanting to keep it that way:wink:

I don't want to do another transmission and the recommendation is to change the fluid regularly and replace with ATF +4.

So, the question is how do I change ALL of the trans fluid including the toque converter?

I've heard horror stories about the "flush" offered by some shops so I'll avoid that but I would like to know if a fairly competent DYI guy can do the fluid change at home and how to drain the converter.

Thanks alot!!!

PaddyBoyyy

I have a '96 Caravan with 3.3 liter and A604/41te transmission and all I ever did was change the fluid in the pan and the filter every 60,000 miles and she went to 120,000 miles before I had to have the transmission rebuilt, so I would not worry about the total flush, pan fluid and filter.

It's hard to get all the fluid out, but here's a way that I use:

Pull the return hose from the cooler (radiator) to the trans (I forget which it is, but the fluid should be pumping to the trans), stick it in a pan, start the car and let it run for a few seconds till 2 or 3 qts empty out and shut it off. Refill the trans and repeat 2 or 3 times (or until you're bored or broke at $5 a quart). The last time, do not refill, drop the pan, change the filter, reconnect the hose, refill. As the converter is in parallel with the cooler, it's hard to empty that out, but this should prolong the life of the unit, without overpressurising, etc. Also, the pan is a lot easier to handle when it's empty.