Help on changing Tranny Fluid...please...???

[mitch311]

Hi,

I have a 2001 passport/rodeo and it's time for me to change my transmission fluid. I bought the repair manual for it but still a little confused on how to do it. I do a majority of the maintainence myself but haven't yet on an automatic tranny. And this one doesn't seem similar to other tranny. Can somebody guide me, step by step, on what I need to do and what should replace.

Thanks in advance.

[surferfletch]

1. Warm engine. Shut off.
2. Drain main pan with lower of 2 bolts on pan.
3. Replace lower bolt and open top bolt. Fill using a hand crank or push pump. Stop when fluid begins to leak out. Start engine. Top off fluid. Replace bolt.
I have to go. This is for fluid swap only. If you want to do the filter, you'll have to drop the pan, clean the magnet, replace the filter and gasket, refill and top off as above.

[mitch311]

Thanks surferfletch,

On step 3, do you start the engine with the "fill hole" still open?

Also, when do you recommend changing the tranny filter, and how many quarts of tranny fluid does it take for this task.

Thanks again.

[surferfletch]

On step 3 you do leave the fill hole open, and you should shift through the gears a time or 2.

I can only get about 4 qts at best out and back in, though the total in the tranny is a bit more...I think 6 qts or so.

My Haynes recommends changing the fluid and filter every 30,000 miles. I've been changing the fluid at 15,000 and the fluid and filter at 30,000. The owners manual for my '97 recommends changing them every 20,000 miles for demanding driving. Dexron-III ATF.

[mitch311]

Thanks again Surferfletch

[amigo-2k]

I think it is worth the money to have isuzu do a flush on the tranny. I think the tranny holds 9 quarts and if you're only pulling the lower plug about 4 qts come out. So your only replacing less then half the fluid. If you do this plan on doing this yearly or every 15k. The dealer or a quick lube place will run about 9qts of fresh tranny fluid threw it before they replace that with another 9qts, when doing a flush. I have mine flushed every 30k and plan to have them drop the pan and replace the fliter at 90k. Cost at the dealer, about 90 bucks (cheaper at and quick lube place). Cost for a new tranny: 3500.00 plus labor. I think my 90 bucks is some good safe insurance knowing it was done right with 100% (okay maybe 95%) clean fluid.
-Ryan

[kegard]

Wow, $90 for a tranny flush! I just paid $140 at my dealer for a full flush and fill of synthetic trans fluid. Is that unusually high?

[amigo-2k]

Originally Posted by kegard

Wow, $90 for a tranny flush! I just paid $140 at my dealer for a full flush and fill of synthetic trans fluid. Is that unusually high?

Sounds about right, with synthetic. Since it takes about 9 to flush and 9 to fill. No clue as to what a quart of synthetic costs? 5bucks?
-Ryan

[2eyefishclaw]

whenever filling these transmissions you need to have the vehicle running and have the transmission in neutral if not you dont have enough fluid in it