In a previous post I asked about transmisson fluid change intervals. Well today I made phone calls to two Toyota dealers and two independant garages and got different suggested services from all. One dealer wanted to only do a change, no fluid flush offered or even available. The other either wanted to do a complete fluid change or a flush, depending on what I wanted to spend. One independant wanted to do a complete flush that uses a cleansing agent and puts a conditioner back in with the new fluid. He claimed I MIGHT see an improvement in it's operation, but mentioned nothing about possible harm done by the flush. The other independant recommended I either only change what's in the pan or don't change it period, stating that I may do more damage harm than good by flushing out any particles that may sort of be holding things together. He said I could do nothing and continue with the old fluid and probably be fine for as long as the transmission lasted. All places knew that I had 139K miles on it and that no services or fluid changes have been performed on it in the last 60K miles... at least. The last guy said that a lot of places will recommend the fushes and changes (which they do them, too), because they want to sell a service, but what they won't tell you is that you may be doing further damage to an ill maintained transmission like I have. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> Sounded like good advice from an honest garage, but I want to be sure. Anyone concur with that advice?!

That is one person I would not take it to, he is full of bull sh*t. You do not want particles or junk in any auto tranny.I take it this is an auto also. I changed the fluids in mine every 2 years, 86 turbo 4runner. You want good fluids in it. I never flushed mine, but changed the screen each time also. I never had problems with it.

Well, I'm sure by now you've read gadget's page and know when NOT to change it. That was the guide I used to judge whether to change mine or not. I had the original fluid at 170k (ten years) and did not have any of the symptoms gadget described. I decided to risk doing a full flush because I knew if I left that fluid in there long enough eventually the tranny would die. I'm at 180k now and 6 months later and it's doing fine.

Most problems occur when old fluid and new fluid mix--if you change the gasket and filter, then have it flushed you should have no problem. You need to get all the old fluid out.

Wow, that statement is frightening. We put about 15K miles per year on our vehicles. Every 24 months I buy enough Amsoil ATF to flush the entire system and change the filter (although in the Runner I dont believe you have a filter, just some sort of screen). I have never had a transmission related problem.

I just looked in my service manual. it says at least drain the pan, there is a drian plug in it, and refill through the dipstick about every 30,000. It does not recomend changing the screen in the pan as a regular service item, so there is no need to drop the pan unless you suspect something is up. hope that helps with your decisions.

The fear is that flushing or even adding new fluid could dislodge some crud that would end up clogging up an orifice. New fluid has a detergent-like quality which may take a while to loosen up any crud (if any exists). Therein lies the risk with just a fluid change.

If the current fluid is pretty cruddy that will probably increase your risk of dislodging other crud from maintenance activities. If its clean, your odds are better. I dunno what to recommend - new fluid would help extend the life of the tranny but with risk. Perhaps your best option would be to throw a big tranny cooler on it. That will help extend tranny life and be virtually risk-free for dislodging crud.

My fluid actually looks pretty good. I thought it was burned, but I had a guy at one of those independent shops look at it yeterday and he said it wasn't burned and that it was in pretty decent shape. From what you guys are telling me, I should probably go ahead and flush it all out, which he recommended, but I don't want to pay their 160 dollar price tag! Looked at the Amsoil web site's flushing instructions and it doesn't seem too difficult. Just need a friend to help and some warmer weather to do it in! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" /> Guess I'll wait and do my diff. and transfer case fluid changes then, too. What is this conditioner they say they add and is it necessary? Thanks for all the advice!

anyone used the BG product when flushing transmission? Seems most of the shops here want to do a flush using BG products. Any comments?

When I flush an automatic tranny I simply disconnect the return line from the cooler and drain there with the engine running, adding fluid at the same time. Tends to take me about 2-3 gallons this way. Big difference is I get the fluid hiding in the torque converter that doesn't get changed when you just drain the pan.

Draining just the pan, you only change about 1/3-1/2 the fluid.