Tranny flush but without filter

[David John]

I have a 2000 ZR2 pickup and I just recently brought my truck to have my tranny fluid changed. I was talking to him and he said he would do a tranny flush and that I didnt need to replace my tranny filter. He said the filter is more of a screen anyway and that when they flush it it would be like new. Oh and by the way my truck has 30,000 miles on it. My qustion is will it hurt anything?...and should i of had the filter replaced when i did it? Thanx for the help....

[jsgold]

There are always a LOT of opinions on transmission fluid changes. As a rule though, if you are going to get a flush you should get the pan dropped and new filter put on. May be more important than the flush, as this does not always have to be done that often (flush I mean) but unless they have changed them GM's seem to always have crud at the bottom and especially built up around the magnet. Flushing won't clean the magnet which holds bits of material around it. I will change my filter and clean the pans every 30,000 to keep the crap out of the pan, and do a total flush and filter change every 60-75K.

[16th hippy]

i work in a "lube shop" wich shall remain nameless. We used to do pan drops but not anymore, not sure why for real but one reason given was because newer transmissions do not need filter changed(BS IMO), or they are not accessable from a pan drop(seen a couple of those). A pan drop will not get all the fluid out, but a "flush" with a machine will not get all the crud off the pan and clean the filter out either, while it should change out most of the fluid...ours does around 98% or so. As jsgold pointed out, alot of opinions. Mine is this, consult the dealer's service dept about what is REQUIRED to maintain the warranty....even if u only have the warranty for another 6K miles, every little bit helps. If they say pan drop and filter, do that....or if they say a flush only, do that. Just my 2 cents.

[kenyonja2007]

Well it couldn't have hurt. Should have brought it elsewhere.

[OverBoardProject]

It's low mileage so you should be fine.

There are several transmissions out there with more than 100,000 miles out there without ever getting the fiter changed... working like new.

However your transmission shop is wrong. It's like changing the oil without a filter change. Possible but I wouldn't recommend it

[BlazerLT]

Although with 30,000 miles it should be a huge concern, I would change it when you change the tranny fluid at 80,000 miles.

[BlazerLT]

threads merged.

[Jerry80871852]

With a bit over 136,00 I have never done nothing to my automatic transmission.

Have never had one single problem out of it.

May not be the proper thing to do, but it has worked for me, I know of several others that have used my method on auto transmissions, if no problem arises, don't mess with it, they to have never had no problem,

[BlazerLT]

I would get the tranny flushes and completely refilled and a new filter installed.

Don't have them just drop the fluid out of the pan, have them flush out the old fluid from the torque convertor.

[jsgold]

Originally Posted by Jerry80871852

With a bit over 136,00 I have never done nothing to my automatic transmission.

Have never had one single problem out of it.

May not be the proper thing to do, but it has worked for me, I know of several others that have used my method on auto transmissions, if no problem arises, don't mess with it, they to have never had no problem,

That is very common and I know people who leave 'em alone. But these things should go 250K if treated right. The GM trucks we use at my work would go 120-140K without this, but we generally wound up getting rebuilds done. Since we started flushing at 75K The trucks we have now are at 136K, 140K, and 180K. All shift smooth, no slips etc. These are driven hard daily. On some cars I know the crud in the fluid would cause failure in things such as TCC solenids(Corsicas, Berattas, Luminas etc). GM's put a lot of particles in the pan. These will build up over time. Guess it depends on how long you plan to run. Anyway, everyone seems to have a different opinion on this. It has a lot to do with how driven too. A truck that tows or sees a lot of hard use needs more attention than a daily driver. Still, should try to keep clean as possible. In my position I can't afford a new ride every couple of years so I will push mine to beyond 200K when possible.

[Jerry80871852]

Originally Posted by jsgold

That is very common and I know people who leave 'em alone. But these things should go 250K if treated right. The GM trucks we use at my work would go 120-140K without this, but we generally wound up getting rebuilds done. Since we started flushing at 75K The trucks we have now are at 136K, 140K, and 180K. All shift smooth, no slips etc. These are driven hard daily. On some cars I know the crud in the fluid would cause failure in things such as TCC solenids(Corsicas, Berattas, Luminas etc). GM's put a lot of particles in the pan. These will build up over time. Guess it depends on how long you plan to run. Anyway, everyone seems to have a different opinion on this. It has a lot to do with how driven too. A truck that tows or sees a lot of hard use needs more attention than a daily driver. Still, should try to keep clean as possible. In my position I can't afford a new ride every couple of years so I will push mine to beyond 200K when possible.

I can't afford one ever 2 years neither, we try and buy a new one ever 10 years and I keep the old one to drive myself.

But they be a big difference between mine and a work truck which gets some heavy duty work. Mine has not gotten that that makes a huge difference.

I am very aware of what the people who makes these things say is best, but if mine gose out tomorrow I will feel that it has done a great job.

Now the motor, the oil has been changed ever 4,000 miles along with filter each time, and greased, anyone that does not do this is asking for trouble and a short life of their motor and suspension.

And to, not saying my way is best, just thought I would pass it along for what it is worth.

Oh, I do know of a fellow who had a 1989 Chevy pickup, shortly after warranty went out he had the Transmission filter and fluid changed, before he got home it went out, $350.00 dollars later he was going again.

Know of another fellow who had over 150,000 miles on his Chevy pickup, the transmission went out, changed the fluid and filter and it worked like a new one.

One right never knows which will be best. All transmission are not created equal, neither are all drivers!