auto tranny service

[surferfletch]

I'm definitely dropping both pans. I've heard before that the filters can be cleaned out and reused. I think I'm leaning that way. Any good reason not to? I think I've seen 2eye recommend reusing the filter for the main valve body. This will be my first look at the filter for the overdrive valve body - wonder if it can simply be cleaned and reused. I want to do this once! Thanks.

[surferfletch]

On the other hand, a hundred kicks for the gaskets AND filters beats a few thousand for another 4L-30E...

[amigo-2k]

Search the FAQ's for some photos of what a tranny filter looks like after 80k with tranny flushes.

[amigo-2k]

"What did the filter look like after 85K and yearly flushes on a 99?

It was full of contaminants... metal sludge (akin to a aluminum paste).
No chunks of metal, just sludge, again with the paste... thick and gooey, like aluminum colored mud."

[surferfletch]

Good enough. Thanks!

That was ugly. Mine has never looked like that!

[trooperbc]

Originally Posted by surferfletch

Good enough. Thanks!

...

good. i was kind of dumbfounded by your thought to reuse the filter(s), especially considering your rather nitpicky maintenance preferences.

like why even take the chance?

or are you just looking for some discussion?

//bc

[Ramblin Fever]

Change them out Surfer, BIG difference when that little pan gets dropped too.

[surferfletch]

Originally Posted by trooperbc

good. i was kind of dumbfounded by your thought to reuse the filter(s), especially considering your rather nitpicky maintenance preferences.

like why even take the chance?

or are you just looking for some discussion?

//bc

Last night I started checking prices on the internet. The filter for the main pan and the gasket are about $70 now. I thought the last time I did it I paid about $40. Kinda stunned me. I thought, briefly, that if the trans is reaching the end of its life, why put $100 into it? Still makes sense to do it, though (realized by second post!).

EDIT: $123 from St. Charles. I'll post pics when I do it. Kinda curious to see the bottom of the overdrive pan...

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by surferfletch

I thought, briefly, that if the trans is reaching the end of its life, why put $100 into it?

Are you having issues with it, or are you just talking in general because of issues from other owners & the auto's?

Mine, even at 171k miles doesn't shift a day over 30k miles, from the way you've talked in the past, I'm guessing your's feels the same.

Keep driving/changing the fluid, I'm sure it'll go a few more years yet, as long as your daughter's not too rough on it.

My tranny - with living in the highcountry, running bigger tires, and pulling heavy loads most of it's life - has had it rougher then yours with living in the flat-land; you'll be fine.

Don't JINX it!!

[surferfletch]

I'm going by other's experiences and Murphy's Law! The trans is shifting as well as the day I bought it and it was treated with kid gloves until the daughter got her license last June. 161K and counting.

[trooperbc]

Originally Posted by surferfletch

.... Kinda curious to see the bottom of the overdrive pan...

yeah, post some pictures. you know, btw, those pictures amigo2k alerted you to of Tad's were from Tad's trans that was a total loss, not a normal maintenance...

edit add:: in fact, post some pictures of the setup you use to do the job without getting the whole garage floor a nice red/pink color ....

//bc

[surferfletch]

Originally Posted by trooperbc

edit add:: in fact, post some pictures of the setup you use to do the job without getting the whole garage floor a nice red/pink color ....

//bc

Lots of rags!

[Sigma6]

Are you guys serious? The gaskets are that high. I was thinking of dropping my pan, but expensive gasket. What filters do I need?

[surferfletch]

The gaskets aren't bad, it's the filter for the main valve body. Let me see if I can get a representative link...

[surferfletch]

http://www2.partstrain.com/products/...OD-V6-002.html

You also need the gasket and filter for the overdrive. That's another $20-$25. The filter for the overdrive is just a mesh screen. Maybe that's the one that is cleanable/reuseable...