sunday transmission fluid change - the easy juma way

juma · 08-29-2004, 06:53 AM

After many auto trans missions blown up and replaced, I'm convinced that the "secret" to longevity is the frequent fluid changes. I just sold a chevy caprice with 155k on the original trans. The chevy 4l60e is not noted for its longevity but it is fairly cheap to rebuild compared with nissan, I'm sure. Anyway, I achieved the high mileage by changing out 4 quarts of tranny fluid every other oil change. I did it with the fluid cold in order to make sure of the amounts going in and out were the same and to avoid burns.

The titan is gonna be easy to keep fresh fluid in because the pan holds 4 quarts plus and it has a drain plug. changing 4 quarts out of 12 or so is enough to freshen all the fluid sufficiently if you do it often enough. You can do the more elaborate flush and change it all at one time but you risk getting transmission fluid all over your driveway. The dealer will do it for you but it will probably cost $500 - a quart of fluid is about $10 as they are very proud of it.

Anyway, the easy way is:

go buy 4-5 quarts of nissan J fluid. I had to go to 2 dealers to get 4 quarts. we need a source for that castrol J and maybe we can get it cheaper.

get a long snout tranny filler funnel.

get a couple of gallon milk jugs, cut off the top and mark the first and second quart levels on the side. mark one of the jugs for 3 quarts.

use a 19mm socket to take out the drain plug and drain out 2 quarts into one milk jug and switch to the other jug.

I stopped at 4 quarts and put the plug back in but it seemed like it would drain out at least another half quart.

use a 10mm socket to take loose the filler/dipstick plug under the hood.

use your new long neck funnel to pour in 4 quarts or exactly as much as you took out. I have always found it hard to get a good reading on tranny fluid from the dipstick so I always do this way of putting in exactly what you take out.

replace dipstick and lock down.

start the titan and hold in reverse and each gear 1,2,3,4 and D for 10 seconds. then drive around shift manually through the gears.

you is done. pat yourself on the back and go see if momma is starting to stir. tell her what you have done and perhaps you will get a reward.

juma

IMADOGMAN · 08-29-2004, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juma

After many auto trans missions blown up and replaced, I'm convinced that the "secret" to longevity is the frequent fluid changes. I just sold a chevy caprice with 155k on the original trans. The chevy 4l60e is not noted for its longevity but it is fairly cheap to rebuild compared with nissan, I'm sure. Anyway, I achieved the high mileage by changing out 4 quarts of tranny fluid every other oil change. I did it with the fluid cold in order to make sure of the amounts going in and out were the same and to avoid burns.

The titan is gonna be easy to keep fresh fluid in because the pan holds 4 quarts plus and it has a drain plug. changing 4 quarts out of 12 or so is enough to freshen all the fluid sufficiently if you do it often enough. You can do the more elaborate flush and change it all at one time but you risk getting transmission fluid all over your driveway. The dealer will do it for you but it will probably cost $500 - a quart of fluid is about $10 as they are very proud of it.

Anyway, the easy way is:

go buy 4-5 quarts of nissan J fluid. I had to go to 2 dealers to get 4 quarts. we need a source for that castrol J and maybe we can get it cheaper.

get a long snout tranny filler funnel.

get a couple of gallon milk jugs, cut off the top and mark the first and second quart levels on the side. mark one of the jugs for 3 quarts.

use a 19mm socket to take out the drain plug and drain out 2 quarts into one milk jug and switch to the other jug.

I stopped at 4 quarts and put the plug back in but it seemed like it would drain out at least another half quart.

use a 10mm socket to take loose the filler/dipstick plug under the hood.

use your new long neck funnel to pour in 4 quarts or exactly as much as you took out. I have always found it hard to get a good reading on tranny fluid from the dipstick so I always do this way of putting in exactly what you take out.

replace dipstick and lock down.

start the titan and hold in reverse and each gear 1,2,3,4 and D for 10 seconds. then drive around shift manually through the gears.

you is done. [B]pat yourself on the back and go see if momma is starting to stir. tell her what you have done and perhaps you will get a reward.[/b]

juma

Maybe if you vacuum and do a couple of loads of laundry, but not too sure about the transmission fluid.

FLfinfan · 08-29-2004, 07:21 AM

I tried to get a tranny flush at the dealer and they said they could not do it. Did not have 2 flush machines and they said they could not intermingle different fluids on the same machine. Now thats what I call advanced planning.

JetTech · 08-29-2004, 07:31 AM

you must of got tired of waiting on me juma, good post.

Bayou Titan · 08-29-2004, 08:05 AM

Juma or anybody else,

Have you considered purchasing a thingy that is made specifically to drain all the tranny fluid. Sears sells one that you hook up to an air compressor that uses air pressure to drain all the fluid. See attachment.

BiXLL · 08-29-2004, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

Juma or anybody else,

Have you considered purchasing a thingy that is made specifically to drain all the tranny fluid. Sears sells one that you hook up to an air compressor that uses air pressure to drain all the fluid. See attachment.

What is that called? I would like to look it up and see what is said about it!

Bayou Titan · 08-29-2004, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiXLL

What is that called? I would like to look it up and see what is said about it!

Here's the link:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00947836000

BiXLL · 08-29-2004, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

Here's the link:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00947836000

Looks like a GREAT tool to have around the garage!! Anybody use one? I wonder if it would drain fluid from converter as well?

pciley · 08-29-2004, 10:59 AM

Is a vacuum flush the only method to get any more fluid than 4.5 quarts out? I would like to change ALL the fluid myself or atleast the majority.

Also is there a filter somewhere other than the screen?

Did you drop the pan to check the screen?

From JetTech's photos, looks like you will most likely find debris accumulating on the magnets in the pan.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...76357677wffCdQ

bestatchess · 08-29-2004, 11:02 AM

I still like the concept of draining it from the pan as I think you will be more likely to get the metal fines that collect in the pan out that way.

pciley · 08-29-2004, 11:05 AM

Actually most of the metal particles will probably stick to the magnets. Looks like you have to completely drop the pan to clean the magnets. A good idea anyways, as you will probably want to visually inspect the screen for larger debris.

Unfortunately, if you go to the dealer for the expensive vacuum flush to get all the fluid changed out, besides coming home with a new scratch or dent (as is a customary gift from my local dealers) they probably WONT drop your pan to clean the magnets or check the screen, etc. So if you always get your tranni vacuum flushed, you will eventually have quite a build-up of metal on those magnets. Obviously, from time to time, metal will become dislodged from the magnets and cycle through the transmission. That's not good.

Same applies if you do periodic draining/filling through the drain plug. A good
idea for preventative maintenance, but I would think periodically dropping the pan is the best idea, possibly at a longer interval. For instance, if you change out 4-5 quarts every other oil change, than maybe every year you would drop the pan and remove the metal, using both methods simultaneously.

TitanBrian · 08-29-2004, 11:05 AM

JC Whitney has the same kind of pumps. Two models. Both manually operated, which is good if you have no compressor. They don't look to be much more than vacuum pumps with a tank. Could maybe kludge up something from a Harbor freight pump and a plastic gas can? Food for thought.

JCW link here: http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...atalogId-10101

juma · 08-29-2004, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pciley

Is a vacuum flush the only method to get any more fluid than 4.5 quarts out? I would like to change ALL the fluid myself or atleast the majority.

Also is there a filter somewhere other than the screen?

Did you drop the pan to check the screen?

From JetTech's photos, looks like you will most likely find debris accumulating on the magnets in the pan.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...76357677wffCdQ

the service manual describes the method of running the motor to pump out old fluid while you pour in new at the dipstick hole. this works pretty good but it helps to have two people and be ready to shut down the motor at the first sign of trouble. I'll probably do it this way every 30 k or so. I'd also advise pulling the pan and cleaning whatever is there every 50k. juma

Bayou Titan · 08-29-2004, 11:36 AM

I'm not sure how the pump that I posted earlier works. I know some of them have a dip stick replacement suction hose. I wouldn't like this as much as something that would pressurize your system and blow everything out the drain plug hole. I have a friend that owns a shop. I will ask him when I get a chance.

Tom Roper · 08-29-2004, 11:53 AM

My observation from having tranny fluid changes on other vehicles is that unlike motor oil, tranny fluid doesn't have the emulsifiers that keep dirt, particulates, and foreign matter suspended in the oil. So a layer of silt collects on the bottom, which is why I think the pan itself needs to come off.

It's also why I agree that Juma's method or similar variation, of keeping the tranny fluid refreshed rather than wholly replaced/flushed is logical. But the pan needs to come off to remove the crud that collects there. The crud looks mostly like decomposed friction facing particulates from the clutches.