97 Blazer transmission service

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Most of these fluid exchanges are not flushes. They don't use cleaner nor do they power the fluid into the system.
No place that I know uses generic tranny fluid and then adds additives to make it compatible with different models so I have no clue where you got that from.

BlazerLT
Do not worry about not getting charged for the detergent because each bottle of trans fluid comes with high detergent already in it.
Trans fluid is a very high detergent fluid. And the hotter it gets in the trans the more it cleans also if it was not for the red dye in it, it makes a very good hand cleaner.
Not all but a lot of quick lubes and some repair shops only use one type of fluid out of the same barrel.
Also parts places pull the same thing. They want to sell you dexron and a bottle of change over to go with it or some type of trans fluid that is supposed to cover everything.
Usually Dexron 111 and then throw in a bottle of additive to try to make it into what ever type of fluid you need.
If you get a chance to swing by you quick lube ask them about what they do about all of the different types of trans fluid? See if they carry them all or just use one type for a fit all.
There is no kind of additive or dope that will completely change the one kind of fluid over to another type.
A lot of newer types of fluids are synthetic so it almost impossiable to change dexron into synthetic.
And doing it has caused a lot of trans problems. Maybe not at first but on down the road.
Each type of trans fluid has it own clutch friction modifier and type of lube that that type of trans needs.
You need to use the type of fluid your manf. calls for.
MT-2500

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by blazes9395

For these trucks running the 4L60e, 700R4, or any other transmission for that matter, the fluid is pushed through the cooler lines as the pump picks fluid up in the pan, so to flush it, you need a machine to push the fluid back into the transmission, because it does not suck it up. I have done several flushes and if you don't have a flush machine, you need to add fluid through the dipstick, and it will flow out the bottom cooler line-no sucking. Think about it, if it sucked fluid through the cooling circuit, you would have collapsing cooler lines if they were rubber(anyone who has a external cooler installed will know), or a 4t60(5)e, which has rubber hose endings installed from the factory, also oil would not leak if you had a leak, because it would be sucking it up, it would only leak when the engine was off.
Also, I have heard about the wal mart/fast lubes putting the wrong fluid in transmissions, like fords requiring Mercon fluid and gettting Dexron, or Type 7176/ATF+3, which is for Chrysler or vise versa. Yeah, be careful where you take it.

There is nor sucking, the transmission pump is pushing the fluid through the cooler and there is not sucking action at all.

All the fluid change unit does it supply fresh fluid through the return line while the machine fills with the old fluid. I watched it myself and the machine has zero power hooked to it.

It is not pushing or pulling, it is allowing the pump to push the ram which is pshing the new fluid into the return line.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

BlazerLT
Do not worry about not getting charged for the detergent because each bottle of trans fluid comes with high detergent already in it.
Trans fluid is a very high detergent fluid. And the hotter it gets in the trans the more it cleans also if it was not for the red dye in it, it makes a very good hand cleaner.
Not all but a lot of quick lubes and some repair shops only use one type of fluid out of the same barrel.
Also parts places pull the same thing. They want to sell you dexron and a bottle of change over to go with it or some type of trans fluid that is supposed to cover everything.
Usually Dexron 111 and then throw in a bottle of additive to try to make it into what ever type of fluid you need.
If you get a chance to swing by you quick lube ask them about what they do about all of the different types of trans fluid? See if they carry them all or just use one type for a fit all.
There is no kind of additive or dope that will completely change the one kind of fluid over to another type.
A lot of newer types of fluids are synthetic so it almost impossiable to change dexron into synthetic.
And doing it has caused a lot of trans problems. Maybe not at first but on down the road.
Each type of trans fluid has it own clutch friction modifier and type of lube that that type of trans needs.
You need to use the type of fluid your manf. calls for.
MT-2500

I just stopped by to see them today. The machine can be filled through two lines they have in the service bay. One is for Dextron III and the other is Mercron. They just choose which fluid they need, fill the machine with the amount of fluid needed for a complete fluid swap in that system and start the change process.

And you are right, ATF is said to be no more than a highly detergent 5w20 motor oil with some different additives.

I agree you shouldn't go with any place that uses one fluid for all applications. I chose a place which offers both just to be sure and it was quick, painless, fast, cheap, and most of all, CLEAN. The filter is has no more than 20,000miles o it so I am not worrying about it for a while seeing it is made to last one helluva lot longer than that.

To everyone follow these simple rules:

1.) Use a passive system that uses only the tranny pump to pump out and pump in the fluid in one swift motion. No power flushing is needed, required, or recommended.

2.) Make sure they use the right ATF, not generic "good for all" ATF for you Specific truck.

3.) If you have never changed you filter, do so after you do a fluid change so you have a completely clean and properly lubricated transmission.

[MT-2500]

10-4 on that BlazerLT
It sounds like you found a good lube place that knows how flush a trans. And uses the correct fluid as needed.
I hear a lot of bad experiances and stories about some quick lubes.
But like repair shops there is good and some not so good.
It pays to check them out first.
I might have to trade my old 5 gallen bucket flush in on one of them passive systems some day.
MT-2500

[Officer Redneck]

I just had my transmission tube and dipstick changed on my '97. They changed the parts out and then flushed it. Then they changed it again and added a new filter. Then came the next flush and yet another new filter. I must say that my fluid is probable cleaner now than when it rolled off the lot. The whole ordeal cost me $493.92 and my truck shifts a lot better but I think it may be slipping a little on take-off. I could be wrong since I don't know what it felt like originally so if it goes out, I plan to kick the shit out of someone. But if not, I have a tranny that is spotless and should last me several more years. I forgot to mention that it has 94,450 miles on the clock. I will hold judgement on the high-milage flush until I get a few more miles on her.

[wolfox]

I have a very good, GM certified local garage mechanic that I take my truck to when the job involves special tools or disposal of tons of parts/fluids. I shied away from him ever doing a transmission job for me or driveline fluid exchanges however. He has a 55 gallon drum of bulk fluid he states is a "Perfect fluid replacement for almost everything, including Honda type-4 fluid in these transmissions." I said thank you, no - I will take care of that myself. I stick to Dex-III Type-F or better fluid, and I will not use it if the label on the back does not carry at least basic/revised GM certifications. I find that Castrol ATF Dextron-III to be most excellent, and after a simple "pan change" of fluid using the ghetto method I stated earlier, have a tranny that shifts like butter every time, firmly when under a good amount of load. Just keep up with regular, once every three year pan services where you replace the gasket and filter and you should never have a single problem with this gearbox for a LONG time. Exchange your fluid in your transfer case too when it's time to swap fluids in the tranny. Be mindful however that certain drivelines beyond '96 require the use of GM's blue, synthetic "Alltrak-II" fluid instead of Dextron-III. I just wonder what's in that big, grey "Canada Petroleum" drum though. It LOOKS and smells like ATF, but the label on the top lists loooooong lines of what applications it fits, but without actual certifications I am a bit wary.

[MT-2500]

Quote
I just wonder what's in that big, grey "Canada Petroleum" drum though. It LOOKS and smells like ATF, but the label on the top lists loooooong lines of what applications it fits, but without actual certifications I am a bit wary.

10-4 on being wary.
Sounds like one of them fits all fluids.
My parts place tryed to sell me some Multi-Vehicle atf by pennzoil That claim it will work in most anything. Says Synthetic Blend. What ever that is.
It is a lot safer and better to get what your vechicle calls for.
MT-2500