To Flush Or Not To Flush....

[Keaton85]

AutoRX is another topic that should be talked about... is that worth through this into the mix?

I'm about to do it to the engine and the tranny this summer...

[JBVolvo]

A dealer in New England just told me they'd be hesitant to do a flush at 180k if its never been done before

[7 VII 7]

A dealer in New England just told me they'd be hesitant to do a flush at 180k if its never been done before

dont do a flush.. just drain and refill

[Oreo931]

Gather 'round boys and girls.

[Boost_Junky]

Gather 'round boys and girls.

well said.

[copycat923]

If you didn't own the car for the whole 180k miles, i doubt it hasn't been changed for 180k miles, but that's just me.

[sconeman]

I've never heard a mechanic say to not change the fluid in a tranny. One of my best friends is a Chrysler tranny mechanic and has been for over 15 years. My father-in-law owned two srevice stations for 30 years and his father owned them for 35 years before that. None of them would EVER say to leave the fluid in there. Why don't you just not change your engine oil too! That thinking is just rediculous.

I do complete flushes every 30K miles religiously. Always have and the only tranny that I've ever had a problem with was a '88 Chevy Suburban. It had a 700R4 tranny which is known for being a piece of crap. At 231K, it needed to be rebuilt. That was also after being used exclusively for towing a 3500# boat, four place snowmobile trailers, or a 4000# pontoon boat the whole life of the truck. The tranny shop that I took it to was owned by a guy that worked assembling GM trannys for 18 years. He asked how many times it was rebuilt and at what mileage. When I told him it was the original, he said he never saw that particular tranny go more than 100K without being rebuilt or needing to be replaced completely when it was used for towing but he would be able to tell immediately as soon as he opened it up. He was absolutely in shock when he did realize it was original.

The moral of the story. Change the fluid. I've owned a lot of vehicles with automatics in my life and I've driven several well over 250K miles. That Sub is the only one I've ever had a problem with and based on how it was used, I consider it normal maintenance at that mileage.

Sorry but Chrysler Tranny mechanic?? Irrelevant. Everyone knows that Chrysler make the worst transmissions on the planet with (GM truck transmissions coming at a close second) You have to flush them every 30K just to keep them from burning out at 60K (if your lucky)

Your car and your situation is a perfect example of how regular, preventative maintenance can drastically improve the lifespan of a transmission. However this thread is about old cars that have infrequently or possible never had their fluid changed. In that case I would argue that MOST mechanics (to cover their asses) will tell you not to change the fluid because it is risky on an old car with seriously burnt fluid.

EDIT: maybe I should have read this thread a little farther before I replied. If I had I would have noticed that it was three pages of the same crap I just wrote. Whoops, it's just that I see the words "Chrysler transmission" and I get angry.

[JBVolvo]

Hey Chuck,

When you say "flush it or do the method I posted here" what is the method you posted?

Is it in the maintenance threads?

[Che'_Moderator]

Actually if you drain and fill twice then do a complete flush, like I posted, the sequence is roughly 30%-50%-100% replacement.

but keep arguing. it's fun to watch.

Really? If I drain it twice I get 100% of the old fluid out? Wow.

[Oreo931]

Hey Chuck,

When you say "flush it or do the method I posted here" what is the method you posted?

Is it in the maintenance threads?

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/Transflush.php

[DonutsDemise]

I hate to sound like a n00b but what is the best trans fluid for an S70 auto transmission that has been taken care of by the dealer/indys... DEXRON III? I haven't done a service yet and I want to change it.

[Che'_Moderator]

I hate to sound like a n00b but what is the best trans fluid for an S70 auto transmission that has been taken care of by the dealer/indys... DEXRON III? I haven't done a service yet and I want to change it.

Best or cheapest?

Motul or Elf are arguably the best but plan on 160-250 dollars for the 15L you need.

[Oreo931]

Best or cheapest?

Motul or Elf are arguably the best but plan on 160-250 dollars for the 15L you need.

If you are a cheap-o like me, you could go with Mobil1 Synthetic ATF. I think it ran me ~$80 bucks for all the fluid. Its better than the $40 cheapy fluid, but not as nice as Chuck's monkey master fluid :)

[JBVolvo]

You pry UP and out (according to the yellow arrows here)? <Mine is so rusted its really hard to tell and I don't want to go prying and snap something off.

How difficult is it to remove the other ends of these lines on the transmission?

I'm going to need to change the hoses too.

[Oreo931]

You pry UP and out (according to the yellow arrows here)? <Mine is so rusted its really hard to tell and I don't want to go prying and snap something off.

How difficult is it to remove the other ends of these lines on the transmission?

I'm going to need to change the hoses too.

To remove the line, take off the C clamp and the line should just pull out (pull towards the exhaust).

As for replacing the lines, here is a quote from what Chuck wrote in another thread:

Depends on where the lines are damaged and how. Assuming its not something like a line was pulled out/stripped out of the transmission or one was cracked out of the radiator it is probably something simple like an old line finally split open. If thats the case it is as easy as a new line. About a 20 minute job to replace.