Which trans service is recommended
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 104
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From: Delaware
Which trans service is recommended? I have an 01 z28 w/AT 30K mi. Is a flush type service recommended or is it better to drop the pan and replace the filter. I bought this car over the winter, the trans has probably never been serviced but the fluid looks good and doesn't smell burned. Since I'm taking it to a dealer for service was wondering what you guys recommend. A couple of dealers are telling me to flush (which also flushes the filter???), another says drain and fill, tranny shop says drain and fill. so I'm getting a mixed bag of answers.
...Thanks
...Thanks Last edited by Alex212; May 6, 2008 at 04:40 PM.
I have an 01 z28 w/AT 30K mi. Is a flush type service recommended or is it better to drop the pan and replace the filter. I bought this car over the winter, the trans has probably never been serviced but the fluid looks good and doesn't smell burned. Since I'm taking it to a dealer for service was wondering what you guys recommend. A couple of dealers are telling me to flush (which also flushes the filter???), another says drain and fill, tranny shop says drain and fill. so I'm getting a mixed bag of answers....Thanks
...Thanks
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 11
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From: Palatine, IL
Dropping the pan should be just fine....However, the flush is not a scam, I have a flush machine at work, and if you check the fluid next to new stuff it looks identical. The pan & filter service only changes the fluid sitting in the pan, leaving the lines, radiator, & trans cooler (if applicable) full of old fluid.
If you were drinking a glass of water & dirt got in it, would you pour out half of the water & top it off with fresh? My guess is you would dump the whole thing for new.
Registered User
Joined: May 2008
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i go to school for automotive technology and the flush is not a scam. sure the person hooks up the machine and walks away. but it completely flushes your system until your fluid looks super clean. trans fluid is really messy and sticky so i wouldnt recommend dropping the pan unless you want to save like 50 or 60 bucks
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Launching!
Joined: Oct 2007
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GM service manual doesn't call for a flush, so dropping the pan (and changing the filter) is fine. The problem with a flush is that unless you specify that it be done the shop doesn't change your filter, so you get all clean fluid but a dirty filter. FWIW, my car had its pan dropped at 25k and 75k and it's fine.
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You don't need a flush, especially since they 'backflush' your tranny. Just think, all of the crap that your filter catches, is going back through your tranny, in a direction that it should not go through holes/valves, etc. If you want to change ALL of your fluid, you can do a search for complete transmission fluid change. I am not extremely familiar with Firebird/Camaro trannies but, for my Jeep the general recommendation (from those that don't stand to profit from the 'flush' machines) is to unhook the output line running to the cooler/radiator. Let the engine run (the transmission does not pump in park on the Jeeps) and let it pump about 2-3 quarts of fluid at a time, add in the proper amount of fluid and continue until the fluid is coming out clear/new. At 30k you should be fine with just doing fluid/filter change. People have run vehicles for well over 100k without transmission service. If you follow the recommended service intervals the fluid stays pretty fresh. My $.02- FWIW
A transmission flush has it's place, I do not believe that it is with your vehicle.
A transmission flush has it's place, I do not believe that it is with your vehicle.
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On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
I also feel dropping the pan is the way to go, but after calling around I got allot of mixed information. The thing that bothers me about the flush service is that they charge you $50 more and you still have the same filter. I understand getting all the fluid out if i had higher mileage but in my case I think changing the filter is more important. My local dealer will drop the pan replace the filter and re-fill for $90...works for me...Thanks to all for your input...greatly appreciated!