97 Trans-fulid & filter change

[guage]

Hello
I haven't gotten a shop manual for my 97 LeSabre yet.
But I would like to change out the transmission fluid and filter with Mobil 1 ATF Synthetic.

Is there a drain plug on the pan? Or do you just loosen the pan to one side to let it drain?
Also is there a way to drain the torque converter? I'd like to get all the old fluid out.

Also plan to replace the coolant/antifreeze, the owners manuals calls out 5yrs or 150,000mi, this car has 87,000mi but is over 5yrs old .

Also says to use some type sealer tablets, is this necessary? Going to replace with Havelin(sp) GM approved 5yr 150,000mi coolant.

Any and all suggestions would be helpful.

Roger

[alkemist]

Hello, as far as I know, draining the fluid entirely from the tranny may be destructive to a tranny with alot of miles. And your transmission certainly does have a pretty high number. What is recommended though, is draining the fluid pan and swapping the filter for a new one. A fairly simple procedure which shouldnt give you hard difficulties if proper tools used. If your transmission is similar, and you have same type filter, gasket to replace , I suggest following step-by-step at the link below. I found that guide very useful and changed my tranny fluid, filter, seal and gasket without any problems. The procedure was done on 96 and 93 buicks. So check if it will correspond with your transmission.

http://www.regalgs.org/forum/viewtop...r=asc&start=30
POST 11

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by guage

Hello
I haven't gotten a shop manual for my 97 LeSabre yet.
But I would like to change out the transmission fluid and filter with Mobil 1 ATF Synthetic.

Is there a drain plug on the pan? Or do you just loosen the pan to one side to let it drain?
Also is there a way to drain the torque converter? I'd like to get all the old fluid out.

Also plan to replace the coolant/antifreeze, the owners manuals calls out 5yrs or 150,000mi, this car has 87,000mi but is over 5yrs old .

Also says to use some type sealer tablets, is this necessary? Going to replace with Havelin(sp) GM approved 5yr 150,000mi coolant.

Any and all suggestions would be helpful.

Roger

Roger

Yes the only way to drain the pan on the auto trannies is to drop the pan...you could put a drain plug in while you have the pan off.

Sorry...there isn't a drain on the torque converter. The older cars have them. My 58 Plymouth has one. The converter is even bolted together. You would have to pull the trannie and drain the converter.

I don't feel a complete fluid change will hurt a trannie. I think "flushes" may churn up the crud in the bottom of the pan and put it in places where it shoudn't go...

Regards

Dan

[troy1]

I would just stick with Dex III dont go with a syn. on a service you get about 6 1/2 qts an additional 6 qts are still unchanged. But if you really want to switch a flush is in order.

[alkemist]

Originally Posted by LeSabre97mint

I don't feel a complete fluid change will hurt a trannie. I think "flushes" may churn up the crud in the bottom of the pan and put it in places where it shoudn't go...

I believe draining TC is not recommended for the same reason flushing isnt. Those fluid/metal lefovers in the system that got there over time are actually helping the tranny not to fall apart. I heard of flush cases where tranny would fail after 5k miles.

CHanging the fluid, cleaning the pan and swapping the filter for a new one is more than enough. I wouldnt take chances flushing it OR/AND draining the converter. Especially if one doesnt know what condition the tranny is in.

I think its a little too late to switch to synth.

[imidazol97]

I believe the gasket on that trans is reuseable. It is on my 98.

As for the DexCool, I just do drains and rinse on mine. I did add 2 pellets of the sealer material when I was ready to take a long drive so they'd get mixed in.