I've found a tranny pan drain plug kit from B&M parts that cost about 10 bucks and installs in minutes. I've got 60k on my truck, had flushed at 30k. Filter hasn't been changed. How does this sound: Install the drain for the tranny pan, change filter and repeat every 30k, drain the pain every 8-10k to replentish the fluid. What do you guys think about this as compared to doing the flush every 30k which I still keep reading the flush is potentially a cause of tranny problems?
I would think you can do your own flush by draining the pan, filling up thru dipstick hole, crank and run a minute or so, turn off and drain pan again and refill, repeat a few times. Won't this cycle a large volume of new fluid thru the tranny? Maybe not 100% but at least 75-80% if done right?

 

With the right machine a 'flush' shouldn't hurt anything.

On those drain plug kits...

Yeah, they work. Thing is that most of them I have seen leak. I once tried welding one to the pan and that didn't go over so well either.

Darrin

 

The best thing you could do in your case is buy an aftermarket pan. It will already have a drain plug in it and it will hold more volume. Also if you want to get 90% of the fluid out on the first shot remove the line at the cooler coming directly from the pump side and have someone start your truck and the fluid will pump out then shut the truck off AS SOON AS the fluid is not a solid stream then drop the pan. You will get 11 to 12 quarts out that way. But you have to be careful not to let the trans pump run with no fluid at all for any time.

 

I've installed one on my factory pan, brazed a nut on and everything with a engine oil pan plug too. It leaked a bit still, then alot so brilliant me decides to overtighten and strip it. Long story short, I got a TCI pan with a plug. I think you have to be careful not to have any fluid in the threads so you can tighten decent and seal. Worth a try doing the B&M one, otherwise there are alternatives. Good luck.

On the changing frequently thing, might as well wait till you hit 30-40k because tranny fluid is still ok. Even mixing shouldn't matter too much because you are getting maybe 70% by draining the pan. I go to 40k and drain the pan/converter and still my tranny needed rebuilding at 200 000 km's because the o/d band snapped. It led to seeing other areas ready to fail so a complete overhaul was done. Just keep an eye on the coloring of the fluid, don't let it get too dark or brown.

 

I mig welded my 1/4" thread o let onto a factory pan with no problems!

 

Just a pan drop gets less than half the fluid out.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I think I'm going to see what kind of s/u I can find for the dipstick hole so as to see about sucking out the fluid there instead of a drain plug. I've seen some homemade devices using a cheap DC air pump that can be bought at Wally World. I'll post something once I figure it out. Might be easier to withdraw it regularly thru the dipstick hole than dealing with a leaky drainplug. My O/C ways will not enjoy seeing a leaky drain plug. I'm going to stop by this local tranny shop and see their s/u. They use a straw type device to suck the pan dry.

 

For the cost, time, & trouble of putting together a s/u you could buy and install an aftermarket pan that has a larger capacity and a drain plug that won't leak.

 

Yeah,and pay alot of money too! I only paid $22.00 for a stock pan and being a pipefitter/welder by trade I welded the thread o let myself!
Pan- $22.00
Thread o let-FREE
Satisfaction of doing it myself-PRICELESS

 

With a drain plug, whether it's self installed or on an aftermarket pan, you can drain that fluid as often as you want. Once a year is a good interval. Aftermarket pans are more expensive. But you get what you pay for. Magnetic drain plugs to collect metal shavings. Deeper pan for more fluid capacity. Cooling fins help keep your temperature low. I have a Mag-Hytec. I thought that it was worth it.