Want to change/flush tranny fluid, but have heard of horror stories in doing so!!Help

[legend1011]

I currently own a 1998 Honda Passport EX with 146,xxx miles on it; I am the second owner. I purchased the truck back in July with 129,417 miles on it. The previous owner (the first owner) claimed that the transmission was flushed, but unfortunately, I have no way of knowing if this was true. Is there a way to look into this and find out? I dont have no receipt records of this if it did actually happen. Anyways, I am concerned because I would like to flush/change the transmission, but I came across multiple instances on this forum of owners who have changed their fluid only to have their tranny destroy itself shortly after. Apparantly there is "sludge/gunk" that builds up over time if the transmission fluid has never been changed and a flush/change will loosen this clogging the transmission and eventually destroying it. What would you guys do if you were me? I need advice. I don't plan on doing this project myself. I would probably have it done at the dealer. I just don't want to try to maintain and help my truck and inevidably cause it to kick the bucket.

WHAT SHOULD I DO! PLEASE HELP!

Also, are there any other maintainance jobs that would have the same affect as this transmission dilemma? Thanks once again

[amigo-2k]

I would take it to a tranny place and ask them to drop the tranny pan and replace the filter and then filler up and drive it.

[directory]

yes, get the tranny pan dropped. that way they can clean all of the sludge out. it really is the only proper way to actually change the fluid. this will completely get all of the old gunk and sludge and trans fluid out.

then after everything is changed (fluid/ gasket/ filter) run the truck for about 25 miles. then just go get the fluid changed again.

this way anything else that gets dislodged from the inner-workings will fall to the pan again. its expensive procedure to do twice--but it's still cheaper than a new trans!

[directory]

oh what the hell.....


sorry....

(multiple posts..not sure what i did...thanks for deleting them!)

[legend1011]

This seems like it is more trouble than it is worth; I may just leave the tranny as is. I would really like to change and would feel alot better knowing that it is fresh oil; I am just too paranoid and not willing to risk damaging the tranny

[marcre]

If the previous owner said they did it, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was done.

I'd get under there and (following the instructions) look at the fluid. Get a little on your finger and see what it looks like and if it smells good or bad. If all looks well, change it out. If it's burnt and bad looking/smelling, it is up to you as what to do.

Best thing to do is check your fluid to get an idea as to its condition.


marc

[surferfletch]

Another option is to drain and fill the pan a couple of times. You'll get about 4 qts swapped out each time. I think this would be less dangerous than flushing the system. I would drop and clean the pan and replace the filter. Don't be intimidated by this job. It's almost as easy as changing the oil.

[Ramblin Fever]

Do the drop pan, replace filter, and fill her up.

If you drop the pan I think it's about 5 qts; if you just drain and refill, that amount's a bit less.

Don't feel bad by intimidation on this tranny set-up, I am too; I'm the original owner and I have never personally done my own tranny service. Don't believe I'm gonna start now, either.

I've had mine flushed 4 times, had the pan dropped twice for new filters, and from here (154k) on out, it will only get partial drains/refills. I will not be flushing the tranny again, too leary of seals giving way at it's 9-10yrs of age now.

[anthonyn]

I personally think this whole 'transmission flush killed my tranny' hysteria is all a myth that has been propagated by a few experiences and taken on a life of its own. Typically what happens is a person notices their tranny is not performing quite right so they take it in for a flush, then later the tranny craps out. So, they blame it on the flush. But, the tranny had some problem to begin with.

A T-tec machine is just a fluid exchange machine. The tranny moves the fluid just like it normally does. The machine catches the old fluid and displaces an equal amount of new fluid to enter the tranny. So, the machine doesn't actually move the fluid, your tranny does. There are no harmful chemicals involved.

I think it still makes sense to do a pan drop and filter change now and then.

I've had flushes done on all of the vehicles in my household, some with atf that had never been changed for almost a decade, and they've all ended up shifting better than before.

[legend1011]

Originally Posted by anthonyn

I personally think this whole 'transmission flush killed my tranny' hysteria is all a myth that has been propagated by a few experiences and taken on a life of its own. Typically what happens is a person notices their tranny is not performing quite right so they take it in for a flush, then later the tranny craps out. So, they blame it on the flush. But, the tranny had some problem to begin with.

A T-tec machine is just a fluid exchange machine. The tranny moves the fluid just like it normally does. The machine catches the old fluid and displaces an equal amount of new fluid to enter the tranny. So, the machine doesn't actually move the fluid, your tranny does. There are no harmful chemicals involved.

I think it still makes sense to do a pan drop and filter change now and then.

I've had flushes done on all of the vehicles in my household, some with atf that had never been changed for almost a decade, and they've all ended up shifting better than before.

Good Point