Flushing Fluid Lines and Components

[creationode]

I really want to gently flush all of applicable fluid systems in my van soon enough.<br><br>I do not want to overpay a shop to do this, which will result in me feeling too lazy and ignorant to perform it myself, and will probably create more problems than it will fix.<br><br>I will start with the transmission.<br><br>I recently bought a dose of <strong>Bardahl Flushing Oil</strong> from AutoZone.<br><br>I plan to follow some useful youtube videos and some other information I found on various help guides on how to actually flush the transmission.<br><br>I know some people might say it is a waste of money to use a special product for this project, but I have no idea what is in the transmission, and really cannot afford to mess it up myself, so I am happy to spend the $12 on a well-reviewed product to help me in that department.<br><br>Do any of you have any experience with using Bardahl, or a related fluid, in your van/truck transmissions?&nbsp; Should I use TWO treatments, to make up for the larger amount of fluid needed to flush/coat the internals?<br><br><strong>Is a high pressure Machine Fush really necessary to dislodge/flush whatever gunk will be found in my transmission?</strong>&nbsp; I cannot stand the idea of a shop ruining my seals etc. by using too high a pressure and basic lack of concern for my 'crappy old van'.<br><br>I plan to stick my nice skinny/long funnel in the tranny dipstick and insert the Bardahl and new ATF that way.<br>I plan to use a length of garden hose, and some buckets/tubs to catch the old ATF.&nbsp; <br><br>ANY advice would be helpful.&nbsp; I know this is a somewhat vague call for help, but I trust the advice of NON-branded automotive DIY experts over some people on BRANDED vehicle forums...what works well, works well on most any system.&nbsp; <br><br>Fire Away!

 

[James AKA Lynx]

I paid to have my trans flushed. They put a machine on the lines and change it. Not as simple as just draining the tranny oil. You can do the engine oil, although some do not recommend the flush. I may have mine done. Mine was over filled and I had to take out a quart. Within 17 miles and it was black, no sediment though. <br><br>Best, James AKA Lynx

 

[creationode]

I have heard sort of bad things about having a shop flush the tranny.&nbsp; It seems they often run the pressure too high, which will tend to dislodge harder clumps, and they end up getting forcefully shoved through seals, which ends up blowing them.&nbsp; That is what I have heard that is negative.<br><br>My own idea, is that they just wont take into account the possible neglected condition of the van, and not really care wether or not they damage it.&nbsp; If they damage it, they will count on me being ignorant, and try to sell me a fix due to their *hidden* lack of concern with my vehicle...<br><br>I really, do not like the COST of most mechanics.&nbsp; I do trust...them, in general, but I have to really talk with them a whole lot beforehand, and get them to understand how important my vehicle is, and how I only want ONE person working on it etc...just a whole bunch of haggling, really.<br><br>Apparently, the machine ist just a gigantic, digitally controlled and heated squirt gun, with the ability to insert flushing fluids and squirt and specially designed 'pressure cycles'...I cannot see the point in paying for that type of machine...<br><br>Somebody help steer me.<br><br>Besides actually opening up all of my internals, what can I do?&nbsp; I just cannot afford the time and space to open her up yet.&nbsp; I really want to flush it myself. <br><br>Unless of course, somebody can recommend some excellent, totally careful and respectful fluid flushing service offered by a specialized company...

 

[user 423]

How many miles are on your vehicle?&nbsp; Do you know it's service history? There are tales aplenty of older trannys failing shortly after one of these flushes. If it's done regularly at shorter intervals from when the car was new, then it's probably OK but on high-mileage vehicles that have not had a fluid change it can be catastrophic. The new fluid abruptly changes the friction characteristics of the clutches and they fry and/or the seals start leaking. <br><br>You really should try to do a pan drop and filter change and check for any metal particles. Add a drain plug so the next change isn't so messy. If you can't do a pan drop, extract about 1/3 of the fluid and replace with fresh. Drive another 10K and repeat. This easiest done with a fluid extractor such as a Topsider or Mityvac.<br><br>BTW...did you plan to siphon with the hose? Or disconnect the trans cooler?<br><br><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody ">

 

[creationode]

slowday, thank you for the advice.&nbsp; I plan to follow it.<br><br>I will definetly do the pan drop.&nbsp; I look forward to seeing what might come out of the tranny.<br><br><strong>The beast has over 280,000 miles in it.</strong>&nbsp; It was born in 1995.<br><br><strong>It has no service records.</strong><br><br>Judging from the overall condition of the van, I am pretty sure it was neglected all over.<br><br>It came with a filthy half full jug of Dextrol ATF+4 and some Prestone Coolant in the back door...<br><br>To me, this means it had leakage problems/burn off problems, and the previous users had to make small refills more or less frequently.<br><br>I planned to disconnect the transmission cooler, so that I had another learning to deal with ALA hose learning time.&nbsp; I was going to use the hose so that I could insert it into a bucket, making it easier to collect what came out into the remote (not right under the van) bucket location.

 

[Noah]

<P>Slowday is right,&nbsp; flushing your transmission for the first time after 100k or so miles can be the worst decision you can make.<BR><BR>I dropped my transmission pan and changed the filter and gasket just last week because I wasn't positive it had been flushed previously.&nbsp; The oil was rather dark, but had little to no fragments in it, so I felt comfortable with adding about&nbsp;5 quarts&nbsp;new fluid and doing so 2 more times over the next few months. By then it will be mostly new fluid without forcing sediments loose.<BR><BR>Dropping the pan will not get out all of the fluid mind you, you will only spill about 4 to 5 quarts all over the asphalt.&nbsp;( use a&nbsp;wide container to get as much as you can, use cardboard underneath to catch spills)&nbsp; The benefit of the full flush is replacing ALL of the fluid at once, but again, in your situation is NOT recommended.<BR><BR>As far as using products that supposedly clean for you, I don't use them. With the exception of maybe seafoam, I only put fluids that are part of the vehicle when you buy it. Flush your radiator with water once, then fill with 50/50 antifreeze. (did this yesterday)&nbsp; put gas in the tank, oil in the engine, and tranny oil in the tranny.&nbsp; Keep the fluids changed on schedule and your truck will last a long time. The bummer with a used vehicle is, often you don't know if has been maintained, so you do your best.<BR><BR>Let us know if you have questions, there are a lot of us on the forum that work on our own rigs in &nbsp;parking lots.</P>

 

[highdesertranger]

flushing a neglected trans is not a good idea imho.&nbsp; I have seen many problems after.&nbsp; if on the other hand your trans was well serviced in the past then it's ok.&nbsp; btw there is a way to flush it yourself without the need for a expensive machine.&nbsp; it could get messy if you are not careful.&nbsp; I just did a Toyota.&nbsp; I will not go into&nbsp;detail&nbsp;here but if anybody wants to know how just ask.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[Zil]

I agree with some. It would be desirable to change the filter. Tricky job on some transmissions, I have seen shops get it wrong. The pan has to be dropped, the filter has to be replaced just right. About half the fluid stays in the torque converter. Some of these have a small drain plug, but not easy to find on your back. On high millage I would not use power flush untill the filter was changed. Some Trans conditioners help old wreaks, make sure it says magic on the label.

 

[creationode]

I will just drop the pan and change the filter and add some new fluid for now.<br><br>I so badly want to just take the entire vehicle apart, bolt by bolt.<br><br>If I had my own shop...oh boy.