should you change fluid on high millage transmissions?

[BlazinUP]

hi.........
iv got a 93 4.3 vortec with an auto tranny.
iv got about 130k on the truck.
i was thinking about getting the fluid/filter changed.
what im wondering is what you guys think about doing it on a tranny with such high millage.
good bad?
the fluid is not red any more ...dont smell burnt and it still shifts well.
could use some input cause iv heard a lot of wise tails and different oppinions would be good as most of us are dealing with high millage trucks.

[OverBoardProject]

One way too look at it is that replacing the oil and filter will give the transmission full lubercation, which will probably help it last longer.

i don't like getting any transmission shops to work on my cars, since I don't really trust them. But If I was in your shoes I would consider letting the pro's change the oil, and inspect it with the cover off. It might be a good time to get a shift kit installed. Then it should shift better than it ever did.

[RKINGII]

Good way to freshen up a tranny. Make sure they/you change all the fluid, which is several quarts. Not just what drains from dropping the pan for a filter change. Best way is to take it to a shop that pumps it all out thru the coolant lines. You can watch the old black stuff coming out, and the new red stuff going in.

[lckycharm713]

the old breaks down like engine oil. i would for sure get it changed. have a shop do it like everyone is saying and like OverBoardProject said, shift kit be nice

[BlazinUP]

hummm....good info thanks....
shift kit....now that sounds interesting
any recomendations?

[STOVE BOLT]

It`s Never A Bad Idea. Transmission Fluid, Should Be Changed Every 25-30,000 Miles. The Fluid Never Wears Out. It Becomes Contaminated, And By The Time This Happens, The Filter Is Somewhat Ineffective. Do It. It`s Worth The Money And Time.
Ps: Yes I Still Have The Caps On. I Have Rather Bad Eyesite, And I Can See Caps Better Than Small Letters.

[BlazinUP]

ok.....im gonna go for the fluid filter change......
heres another question if i may....reg or synthetic?

[RKINGII]

Reg or synthetic at that many miles is kinda of a toss up. Not sure if the added cost is worth it at 130k.

[tom3]

In the same boat here, good timing for this post. Think mine probably has never been changed, just a bit slow to engage in drive in the morning which is a sign of hardening seals/low pressure somewhere from what I've read. I'm going to change it and use the high mileage stuff and cross my fingers. Main thing I want is to see what's in the bottom of the pan and gauge the condition of the tranny. Mine is a 4x4 with a 700R4 trans which is a real tough unit, sure hope it turns out ok. Might look at this ATF;
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ....asp?product=6

[STOVE BOLT]

Originally Posted by BlazinUP

ok.....im gonna go for the fluid filter change......
heres another question if i may....reg or synthetic?

WELL, I DON`T HAVE MUCH EXPERIANCE WITH SYNTHETICS. HOWEVER, I DO KNOW, THE COST IS ABOUT DOUBLE OVER CONVENTIONAL LUBRICANTS. IN MY OPINION, DUE TO THE MILES ON YOUR VEHICLE, AT THIS POINT IN TIME I WOULD USE CONVENTIONAL TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE PETROLIUM BASED PRODUCTS WE HAVE TODAY, ARE FAR BETTER THAN THEY USED TO BE. THAT IS THE MAIN REASON CARS AND TRUCKS OF TODAY, GET OVER 100,000 MILES ON THEM , AND IN MOST CASES , BARRING ABUSE, THAT IS NOT UNCOMMON. I WORKED IN THE BUSINESS MANY YEARS AGO, AS A DYNA/FLO (BUICK) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REBUILDER, TROUBLE SHOOTER. I HAVE SEEN THE IMPROVEMENTS, BOTH IN DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND FLUIDS WE NOW HAVE.
HOPE THIS CLEARS UP ANY QUESTIONS. GOOD LUCK.
STOVE BOLT

[BlazinUP]

yea......i think i will just do a standard fluid change.
im shure even the regular modern tranny fluid is better than whats in it now
thanks for your input guys.......helps us all :P

[Mikado14]

Ok, here comes my two cents!

Probably just being an old man, but I remember back in the 60's and 70's everyone used to say that if you didn't regularly change the fluid, don't do it. I learned the hard way with a '73 Dodge van that I bought used in '77 and changed the tranny fluid. It lasted for about 6 months.

Now I'm in a quandry. I have a '93 Blazer with a 4l60 in it. It has 194K on it. I am stupidly thinking of doing at the least, dropping the pan and changing the filter and replacing only the lost fluid.

Am I being an old man from 30 years ago or are my fears unfounded?

[STOVE BOLT]

Originally Posted by Mikado14

Ok, here comes my two cents!

Probably just being an old man, but I remember back in the 60's and 70's everyone used to say that if you didn't regularly change the fluid, don't do it. I learned the hard way with a '73 Dodge van that I bought used in '77 and changed the tranny fluid. It lasted for about 6 months.

Now I'm in a quandry. I have a '93 Blazer with a 4l60 in it. It has 194K on it. I am stupidly thinking of doing at the least, dropping the pan and changing the filter and replacing only the lost fluid.

Am I being an old man from 30 years ago or are my fears unfounded?

WELL, ONE OLD MAN TO ANOTHER, IT`S NEVER BETTER NOT TO CHANGE IT. THE TRANSMISSIONS OF 30 OR EVEN 50 YEARS AGO, ARE IN NO WAY, COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF THIS DAY AND AGE.YOUR RIGHT ABOUT ONE THING THOUGH, AT LEAST CHANGE THE FILTER.IT DOES JUST WHAT IT SAYS" FILTERS". IF YOU CHANGE "JUST THAT" OK.. BUT, IF THE THING HAS A TON 0F MILES ON IT, IT WILL BE LOADED UP AGAIN SHORTLY BY THE CONTAMINATED FLUID YOU DON`T CHANGE. IT`S YOUR VEHICLE. IT`S YOUR POCKETBOOK, BUT, I WOULD RATHER BE SURE THAN SECOND GUESSING. HIND SITE IS 20/20,.NOTHING OLD MAN ABOUT THAT...
STOVE BOLT