Tranny flush question

[ViperJ]

Okay I am going to be dong a tranny flush on my car this weekend but seeing how I have never done it before how hard is it? I hear there are two bolts the top one you check the fluid level and the bottom one drains it. Then you just refill it....

Also what type of fluid should I use in my 5 speed

Thanks

[blindeyed]

You've got the 3.4 right? I've never heard of the two bolts you speak of. The way I've always done it at the dealership, which is actually the way they showed us to do it, is to remove the bottom trans pan, then let all the fluid drain out. Then, we use a razor blade to clean off the top edges of the pan, and once that is all clean and smooth, we use silicone rubber adhesive (way better than using a gasket, and alot safer) and line the edges with it. Also, when you put the adhesive on, make sure you go inside around the bolt holes, not around the outside of them. You'll see what I'm talking about if you choose to do it this way. And while you're changing out the fluid, it would be wise to go ahead and also change out your filter as well. It's a really easy job and takes no less than 30 minutes. Not too sure what kind of fluid your manual tranny takes, but the guys at autozone, napa, etc should be able to tell you that.

And another note, I'd recommend NOT taking it to Jiffylube to get the fluid changed. All they do is disconnect the transmission coolant lines that go to your radiator, reconnect them up to their machine, and then just flush out the fluid and refill it. It's really not as thorough as it would be if you did it yourself.

[skibum1111]

Ummm, I think he has a manual transmission. To change the fluid in a manual transmission pull the drain plug on the bottom of the transmission, let it drip for a while after it stops running out. The fill plug should be on the side of the transmission about half way up. Check with GM about what to use for oil, my grand am uses a synthetic oil that can only be had at the dealership, its $10 a quart and it takes 3 quarts. Good luck.

[Savage Messiah]

How many miles/have you gotten this done regularly?

I have 167k and haven't gotten one done since at LEAST 2 years ago (145k), I've been told that with high milage it can be bad for your tranny to put in new detergents and all if it hasn't been done regularly

[92zcamaroperson]

I think its more like if you change it too often or if the tranny has a leak and you just keep adding new fluid,. thats when its bad to do it. I always change my tranny fluid and filter(must change filter!) once a year.