I have a 2001 supercrew with 96,000 miles on it. The tranny fluid, or filter has NEVER been changed, I had brought it from an ole boy who said that they don't need it. Every time i check the dipstick it is bright red, but always way overfilled, even when it is cold and been sitting for a whole day, w/o it being started, the dipstick reading is way over the hott fill mark.

Should i have the tranny flushed and a new filter put on, or should i just let it go since it has been neglected this long? Because i have heard that if you don't change it regularly and then you finally do change it, you may shock it and whind up needing a new one.

Please if anyone could shed some light on my situation it would be great
Thanx

 

96k? Flush it. If it craps out, it was going to crap out soon anyway.

 

Yes have it changed out soon. It will show high with the engine off the converter drains back some as do all the other passages this is why they stamp on the dip stick "check idleing in park"

44

 

Dont flush it, drop the pan and refill. Do that every 5k for the next 20k

 

what would be the difference between getting it flushed or just dropping the pan?? Should i change the filiter?

 

The difference is about 6-7 quarts. That's how much will be left in the torque converter and trans if you drop the pan without flushing the trans.

 

Do not flush it. Engine and trans flushes cause more issues than they solve. If it's working fine, let sleeping dogs lie.

Change the trans fluid and filter now and every 30k as recommended in the service manual. It has plenty of detergents in it to keep the system clean.

Also, if you're checking it on a cold engine, that would explain the high level. The trans should be checked with the engine idling in park after cycling through all the gears for 5 or more seconds each. After sitting, the oil from the numerous components in the system drains down into the pan, giving a high reading.

 

I'm not referring to a chemical or power flush - just a complete fluid replacement using the tranny pump to do the work.

 

okay so dont get it flushed, but i need to drop the pan, once i do that is there a gasket that i wont be able to reuse, and where is the fill spot, sorry, but i really dont know to much at all about trannys, if you guys had any pics at all it would be great. Thanx

 

I just did this last month here you go. You can reuse the stock gasket it said so right on it. But at auto zone when you get a new trans oil filter. It comes in a kit it includes a new gasket. use it if you want too I did it working well so far. The filter kit should run you under $25.00. Also get 6 quarts of oil to replace the oil you are going to drain out. Also for the future put a drain plug on your trans pan to make the oil change easier in the future. The drain plug kit is made buy B&M racing. it can be found at auto store for under 7 bucks. You are going to have to drill a 1/2 inch hole to install. Also in ur trns pan there is going to be a yellow plastic part just thow it away. You but the new oil where you check the oil. Remove the tran dip stick and poor in there. Buy a small funnel it will make the job easier. If you have any trouble just post up some will help you out. Also make sure you use the proper trans oil. You can find out which oil in our owners manuel. Good luck ben

 

hey thank you guys for all your help, i hope to get too it this weekend, i hope i dont have any probs.

 

drop the pan and valve body if you want an almost complete drain.

do not use the tranny pump to force fluid out, let it drain on its own. You dont use the oil pump to force oil out of the engine on a regular oil change so dont do it with the tranny.

when you do drop the pan you should have a small yellow bobble that is in the fluid. that should be in there if the tranny has never been serviced.

for the first 3 weeks your computer will have to relearn the new fluid so make sure the truck sees all throttle postions and varry your speed.

You may also research and choose to add a tube of gear friction modifier if your tranny is slipping at WOT

 

That won't get the fluid out of the torque converter. Half of the total fluid is in the torque converter.

That's a bad comparison. An engine is designed to drain all of the fluid by removing the drain plug and the filter. A trans isn't like that.

You wouldn't change engine oil by only changing half, would you? Why would you do that to a trans?

The best thing to do for your trans is to change all of the fluid. If you have a 2001 or older there is a drain plug on the torque converter. Draining the pan and torque converter will get almost as much out as the fluid exchange. If you don't have a drain plug the fluid exchange is your only choice that makes sense.

 

My thoughts exactly. To the original poster, by the way, a "flush" doesn't hurt anything if you wanted to have it done, but it seems to be taboo to some people.

 

okay so drop the pan and valve body, and hopefully there is a drain plug on my torque converter, then i will need to about 6 quarts?