auto transmission fluid

[jola]

ok, i just took my car to jiffy lube to get my transmission (95 firebird a4) fluid changed, and they said they won't change it because there is 120,000 miles on the car and it could do some damage to the car if they do. then they said i should just take it to a professional transmission place. so i have a few questions - what does he mean when he talks about damage to my car? is my tranny going to grind itself up or something? is changing the fluid going to lead to a tranny rebuild? is it easy to change the fluid myself (i had this car for about a month, so i haven't done any work to it myself, and my experience on other cars is limited to oil changes and spark plugs)? should i try to change the fluid myself (full tranny flush?) or should i bring it to meineke or someone? i don't think the fluid has been changed for a while - its brown with a faint reddish tint.

[jola]

the transmission doesn't really slip at all. it doesn't really take long to shift either. it jumps a bit when i shift into drive though, i don't know if that's normal or not. i'm so ignorant when it comes to firebirds.

[Dr Todd]

As far as hurting the transmission, they are probably talking about putting new fluid in a car with so many miles on it. The new fluid is hard on the old seals and clutches. That is why you change your transmission fluid every 30,000 or 40,000 miles or dont change it at all. I know some people have changed their filter and not the fluid on a car with so many miles or if the fluid is brown. When you drop the transmission pan, let the oil drain in to a clean container. Then change the filter only. Put the pan back on with a new gasket and tighten the bolts. NOT too tight. You do not have to have much torque on them or you will warp or dent the flange of the alum. pan. Then re-use your old oil. You can then top it off with a pint or two of new stuff.

Hope it helps

[jola]

so basically, if my trans fluid is really dirty, i'm stuck with that fluid until i rebuild the transmission? what if i drain like half of the old stuff and then in a few months drain like 3/4 of the fluid, and then in another few months do an entire flush? would that work or is it just a really pointless way of speeding up an inevitable transmission breakdown?

[Dr Todd]

One major reason for a fluid change is to change the filter. If it is restricted or clogged it may hurt your transmission more than the old oil. Check with a transmission shop rather than Jiffy , not knocking Jiffy, about what they think about the old and new fluid. Be sure to tell them the milage on your car.

If you change the fluid yourself, don't be surprised to see "stuff" on the bottom of the pan. This is normal. Be sure to clean the pan and the magnet that is in it before replacing the pan.

[jola]

ok, i called up aamco today, and they said they'll run a bunch of tests for $40 to see if it would hurt or help the car to change the fluid. and they said that if they change it, they'll give me a 90 warranty for leaks. i might wind up trying that out.

[Timothy Luttrell]

The way to tell if it needs a rebuild is by its smell. If it doesnt smell burt up, its fine, change the fluid with a new filter. I would insist on A semi-synthetic fluid, like Mercon V or Multi ATF which is basically Mercon V. It has special detergents and conditioners in it. It all I use in my T-5 and any 4L60E transmission I service. Never had a problem if the old fluid didnt smell burnt up. BTW, Brownish /Redish fluid is a good color with that kind of mileage.-Tim

[HBHRacing]

Tranny fluid has alot of solvents in it. After time and wear the lubricative properties of the fluid subsides and it becomes like liquid sandpaper. It wil wear on teh fluid passages, pump, ect ect ect. When you change teh fluid it's not very slick and now that you have slippery fluid in it can cause low pressure ect ect ect.... However I have only actualy seen this ever happen once on many many cars that I have done. But they still have to tell you this because if they don't and they change the fluid and the car never moves you would be upset.

[StudlyCamaro]

my trans fluid and filter were changed for the first time at 100K and at 140K its still working fine and not leaking anything