trans fluid change

[novo64]

I have about 50K on my 2000 rodeo and think it is about time to change the trans fluid. Is it possible to use one of those trans fluid change machines at the quick lube place or is this not possible due to the closed system, and is there anything I need to look out for.

[Ramblin Fever]

If this is your first service on the transmission, I don't think I'd flush it without dropping the pan, changing the filter too.

You've almost waited too long for a flush, you have the possibility of sending gunk through your transmission and killing it.

The fluid in these tranny's should be changed every 15-20k for a partial fluid swap and every 25-30k (at most) for a flush - otherwise, they are known for going to an early grave.

At this point, I would personally do a partial fluid swap, change the internal filter, and clean the pan, then in a few thousand miles, do a flush if you like. But, you do need to get all of that old fluid out within the next 10k or so, or you won't likely see 100k on that tranny.

Do not go to Jiffy Lube, they are notorious for underfilling these tranny's and they will burn up. The 4L30-E GM transmission is a delicate one, you'd be better off going to your dealer, even though they do charge more. Unless you can do this yourself, be cautious and ask around as to who's familiar with this tranny - it's not an easy one to refill and many places underfill them.

[amigo-2k]

sure is. They just pull the line to the tranny cooler and plug it in there machine. The Dealer will run 18qts trough it (it holds 9qts) to really flush it out.

I don't know how much a place like jiffy lube will flush it with ...

[pharm_rodeo]

Drop the pan so get some idea of how it is in there. If you have the resources DIY it. Just be prepared to take a bath in fluid. There's TONS of info here about the tranny.

[2eyefishclaw]

ours is only 12 quarts in the flusher but there are some that hold much more
you can diy two clean hoses to attach to the trans cooler ant the line someone to start and stop vehicle to see which is sucking and which is blowing then put 12 qts or more if you so desire into one bucket insert sucking hose insert blowing hose into empty bucket start and run in neutral w e brake on untill bucket of new fluid is almost empty
that is exactly what the trans flush machine thingy will do it is just made with acylinder that hodls the fluid and it has a diaphram starts off full of new fluid ends full of old fluid

[2000izusu]

what ever you do (pan drop or flush) you will notice an immediate difference. i drop the pan contents every 8-10,000 miles. and refill. the difference in smoothness is unreal. alot smoother shifts. just make sure you stay up on changes because this trans will last if not abused.

[novo64]

Well I bought it from CARMAX about 10,000 miles ago. I don't know what they did with it so I figure I should get it changed soon.

[klvaleri]

I for one want to change mine too, but after read this posted from this. I change my mine. Dealer around my area charge about $200.00 for changing filter and flush it. Read on from this guy posted below:

Wow! That sounds SO easy. Too bad it isn't - At least not on a 4WD.

Drop the trans pan: That includes supporting the transfer case at the rear, removing the trans/transfer case crossmember, then removing the rear transmission mount so you can reach the three trans pan bolts at the extreme rear.



Then the cleanup, old filter removal, and assembly with the new filter. Don't forget to clean the magnet in the pan:



Install new filter and gasket--reinstall pan: I'd suggest reusing the OEM pan gasket if at all possible, or purchasing another GM/Hydramatic pan gasket. The gaskets supplied with filter kits are typically cork, and will never seal as well as the original nitrile gasket. I usually throw them away and use the original when possible, since leakers are no fun.

Once you reinstall the pan, don't forget to install the trans mount, torque to 34 ft/lb, and install the six crossmember bolts. Since you had so much fun removing them (you'll see) be a nice guy and apply anti seize to the bolts before assembly. You may be the next one to deal with it.

Fill with trans fluid: This is easy enough, so long as you flip the vehicle upside-down, have an ATF pump in your shop, or use an oil suction gun. The suction gun works quite well, but remember to clean it out thoroughly before using it to pump fresh fluid in. Expect to pump in just under four quarts.

Use only Dexron III as recommended by the manual. Plan on doing this every 30K miles if you tow with the truck, or every 50K miles otherwise. I know the factory suggests 100K intervals when not towing, but that's well beyond their warranty period, too. If they even suspect you have towed, hauled, or used the vehicle in cold, hot, or dusty climates, you have no warranty.

A flush via the cooler lines is not a bad thing, but it doesn't do anything for the filter, or the debris in the pan. Ideally, draining the pan and torque converter would be best.