Changing tranny fluid-no one wants to drop the pan anymore

[gordon21]

I called several local shops to verify the price on a transmission fluid change. Apparently things have changed a lot in the past several years. No one wants to drop the pan and change the fluid the old fashioned way. All they want to do is suction out the fluid and replace it. 14 old qts out and 14 new back in. Never touch a wrench.

Isn't there a filter or screen that needs to be cleaned in a 2006 F-150 tranny??? I find it hard to believe that all the crud and metal shavings is going to be vacuumed out. There is 2 years worth in there from when the truck was new.

The only place that will drop the pan is the Ford dealer and that costs $15 more than the regular service. Oddly enough, they tell me that if they drop the pan, they only replace 6 qts. The vacuum method replaces 14 qts

What is going on here????

14qt suction method has been quoted $125-162

 

[NewToy]

I have never seen an auto tranny without a filter/screen assy. I just had mine changed in my Chevy 1 ton van and always get the filter/fluid changed for around $100.00. I get it done every 20k miles and have never had any problems. That first change will shock you at the amount of trash in the bottom of the pan. Like you, I can't see their sucker gadget getting all that out. I like the idea of getting all the fluid out though. Maybe you can have them suck it and then drop the pan for thorough cleaning and filter change.

John

 

[orezok]

I believe that the "suction" method they are talking about is actually a fluid exchange unit. What it does is that they disconnect the cooler in line from the cooler in at the radiator and connect it to the waste side of the machine. The "new" fluid line from the machine is then connected to the cooler inlet. The vehicle is started and 100% of the fluid is "exchanged" including the fluid in the torque converter, lines and cooler. The correct amount of fluid is put into the machine before starting the vehicle, not in the vehicle itself. This is why it takes about twice as much fluid.

It has it's good points and bad points. Leaving half your burnt fluid in the torque converter during a pan drop is not good. Not inspecting the pan is not good.

Overall the new method is probably better in the long run. You might want to drop the pan every 3 years or so for the filter. Newer transmission rarely clog filters or have junk in the pan. If they do, you're going to be doing a rebuild anyway, changing fluid NEVER fixed a problem transmission.

You might have an earlier warning of transmission failure with a pan drop, but the cost will be the same if you wait for the ultimate failure (except for the possible inconvenience). I personally would not go to a shop that repaired transmissions, but go to one that installed factory remanufactured units only. By the way, I used to own a tranny shop.

Most transmissions will give you "notice" prior to a total failure.

 

[podagrower]

I think everyone else covered it, but. Most of the local "quick lube" places want to do a fluid exchange. When I had this done in my truck I was amazed how much smoother it shifted (had about 75k miles on it then).

At least one of the national chain transmission stores gives you the option of fluid exchange or drop the cover. Their logic is that both need to be done on a rotation of some sort.

 

[irwin]

Well here's my 2 cents.

I run a repair garage, my advice to my customers. Every 15,000 - 30,000 miles exchange the fluid (depending on vehicle use, ie :towing/ stop&go /highway only).
If you want to do as much as possible to maintain the vehicle, then every other exchange also drop the pan and change the filter. Otherwise drop the pan and replace the filter when the pan gskt leaks.

I have never found a very dirty filter in a good transmission, if the filter is full of debris the transmission is on it's way out. JMHO.

[quote : orezok]
"Overall the new method is probably better in the long run. You might want to drop the pan every 3 years or so for the filter. Newer transmission rarely clog filters or have junk in the pan. If they do, you're going to be doing a rebuild anyway, changing fluid NEVER fixed a problem transmission. "

 

[Diamondpilot]

Like the others have said the best way is to do the exchange the fluid and drop the pan. I am seeing more and more cars with drain plugs on the pan and spin on "OIL FILTER" type tranny filters. Saturn's, Ford Super Duty Trucks, Duramax with Allison trannys, and most foreign cars.

Chris

 

[Eagleview]

It is important to have the bands adjusted periodicaly depending on usage . Every two years i drop the pan , change the filter , drain the fluid from the torque convertor (via the drain plug on the convertor) and adjust the bands . (if you have an inch pound tension wrench you can do it yourself) Ive never had a transmission fail . If you allow the adjustment get out of specs you will tear up the clutches and bands . Preventitive maintainance is cheap compared to being in a strange town with a dead tranny $$$$$$$$$$.

 

[john_bud]

You can pretty much do it yourself too. Drop the pan, wipe it out good. Replace the filter (easy). Replace the pan, refill.

Now there are probably quick connects for the hard lines from the cooler. Take off the return line and run a clear hose to a bucket next to the car door. Bump the starter (don't let it run) until you have 2-3 qts of fluid out. Refill the trans. Bump some more -- refill some more. When you have clean fluid out, top the trans, replace the lines and have a cold one while you wash up.

Saves 75-100 bucks takes about 30 min total time. Not quite as good as a power flush, but close.

jb

 

[CJ4]

Good and interesting thread. I've been around career mechanics all my life and most good mechanics will tell you that really being an expert on auto transmissions are something that's somewhat a breed of it's own. There seems to be a bit of a mystery about really knowing your stuff about them. I'm curious what makes them fail and why it's so expensive these days to rebuild them??? And truely, what, if anything can be done other than the normal fluid and filter changes to prolong it's life. Maybe someone here will respond that is truely a transmission specialist so we all don't just have to continue to guess what the spirit of a auto transmission really is.....(no offense to anyone)

 

[Skyco]

FWIW my company vehicle's maintenance is administered by a large national company specializing in such. At one point we were prohibited from having a trans fluid exchange done by machine. Seems a LOT of transmission failures were seen right after doing such. I think it had more to do with the inexperience of the typical Jerky Lube grunt and maybe the machines are better/more foolproof now, they eventually again allowed such machine use.

What I do on my personal vehicles is this-
my F350> I drop and replace 4 quarts of trans fluid every engine oil change, about 8 will come out if I let it..
my Honda Pilot> I drop and replace 3 quarts (all that will come out) every engine oil change.
The Ford has a filter in the pan I swap every 50,000 or so. The Honda has no replaceable filter
Best in my opinion- is do your own trans fluid/filter changes- it isn't hard and is way cheaper. I HATE the Jerky Lube places and would NEVER take a vehicle I own to one....I see way too many violations of best practices to suit me. IE- went last week with the company car and watched the doofus lay the oil fill cap threaded side down on the dirty fan cowling..of course he wasn't gonna clean the dirt off either when he replaced it on the motor until I pointed it out He also checked the trans fluid without ever pulling the stick out I didn't know you could hire a psychic for $8 an hour....the going rate for such places here.