Some manufacturers are now NOT recommending power flushes. Honda, and Nissan are the 2 I know of. They recommend drains-and-fills using their proprietary fluids.
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-2007 Regal 1900 w/ 4.3 EFI Volvo
Supercharged wrote: 4-in-a-fiver and my statments make the same amount of since.
I would highly recommend not having your transmission flushed. I have heard of too many transmissions requiring rebuilds after the flushes. I believe that they are just an easy money maker for allot of shops.
My mother-in-law had a 2002 Escalade with the 4L60 transmission and an extended warranty and dealer service plan. Her dealer was the only one who serviced the vehicle while it was under warranty and she took it to them regularly and followed their recommendations. At 99,000 miles she took it in for her last service under the plan and warranty and they recommended an transmission flush which she agreed to. At 101,000 miles she had to have the transmission overhauled at her expense.
My brother-in-law who has a 2002 Yukon XL, which at the time had around 60,000 miles on the odometer,took his vehicle in to a reputable service center near his work for a full checkup and service and they recommended a transmission flush which he agreed to. Three months later he had is transmission overhauled at his expense.
I spoke with two highly reputable and well known transmission repair shop owners that I know about this and they both told me the same exact thing. If you have a transmission with a considerable amount of miles on it, they would recommend against it. If the transmission were to receive a flush regularly on a close interval schedule and from when the transmission were new, then they would say that it probably wouldn,t hurt a thing. Interestingly, both of them said that they personally do not recommend flushes and they do not offer the service in their shops. They do however welcome the extra business they receive because of them.
I have a 2002 Suburban that I change the filter every 25,000 miles and since the torque converter doesn't have a drain plug, I drain the pan (three quarts) at every engine oil change (7,500). Currently have around 143,000 miles on it and (knock on wood) no major problems to speak of. Has been an excellent and very versatile family/tow vehicle.
I think its a good idea... Some say not to do it at high milage if it has never been done... But I have also heard high milage trannys acting up and getting flushed and they are fine....
also look back , seems alot of people would put 150k miles on one and never touch it..
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My local Ford dealer wants $170 for a transmission flush for my F550, is that a reasonable charge? After they changed the oil a couple of weeks ago, they said it needed to be done, they also wanted to change the wiper blades for $24! There were hardly any vehicles in getting service and it just worries me that some of this is a get the money somehow from the customers. I think it was on this forum one person wrote that they had the flush, but the person could see the workshop and the flush machine never left its place in a corner! With the public spreading out their services, the dealers and others are getting less income, so anything they can do, they will do!
Rob and Jet
2000 Ford F550 with custom bed
1998 Jayco Designer 3710 fifthwheel
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Quote: My local Ford dealer wants $170 for a transmission flush for my F550, is that a reasonable charge?
Dealers here want $130-150 for a transmission flush on a car or 1/2 Ton truck. $170 sounds about right for an F-550 in Florida. Call around to other dealers/shops and compare prices.
As for the flushing itself. Look at the transmission dipstick. Your ATF is probably DARK red or brown. It might even smell burnt. After flushing, the fluid should be bright red and smell like oil. Hopefully, you can watch the tech perform the flush, it's kind of neat how it's done. A cooler line is disconnected and hooked in series with a machine that pumps fresh ATF into the transmission.
Yes, it is a money maker for the dealers, but in the cases where the vehicle is used as a TV, it's worth it....if done right.
Good luck with your decision.
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PopBeavers wrote: I'm not sure exactly what you mean by flushed. I have never added a "flush" product to my trans oil.
At 58k miles, when I bought it used, I did the normal trans and filter, that did not include the fluid in the converter.
At 98k miles I changed it again, but this time they used some machine to suck the fluid out of the converter. So, more of the fluid was removed and replaced. Maybe this is what you think of as a flush.
Ford has a machine that the hook to the transmission and they push out the old fluid, they get the tork converter fluids, everything is replaced. dont ask me how either, it just works.
Ford no longer uses the high pressure systems but matches the pressure of the "flush" to the pressure of your tranmission. My dealer recommended to only change the fluid when it was called for under the severe service schedule. They did not see any reason to change it sooner, took their advise as it's their warranty and I'm not having any issues. The new Fords all use synth trans fluids.
I am not sure as to the meaning of a "Trans Flush" but if he is talking about cleaning or replacing the filter and pan gasket while changing the fluid I would definately do what the owner's manual recommends. Also be careful as to how they plan to change the fluid some dealers simply place a tube in the dip stick and drain the fluid, not good. Drop the pan, clean or replace the filter and refill.
Filter stays in, they hook a machine to your transmission lines and it flushes ALL the old fluid out and new in.... You drop the pan and change filter and gasket you only get some of the fluid.
DennisCW wrote: I am not sure as to the meaning of a "Trans Flush" but if he is talking about cleaning or replacing the filter and pan gasket while changing the fluid I would definately do what the owner's manual recommends. Also be careful as to how they plan to change the fluid some dealers simply place a tube in the dip stick and drain the fluid, not good. Drop the pan, clean or replace the filter and refill.
I used to be a GM tech and have done this process a few times. We used a machine from a company called BG.By purchasing thier products, they would supply the machine.There was a cleaner to add prior to flushing which would clean the inside of trans. We would hook up to the cooling lines and usually use 16 qts ATF, in with the new and out with the old. Verify trans fluid level, add a conditioner and out the door. Less than 1/2 hour to do. Personally, I like the old school method. I like to drop the pan and see if there is alot of metal in the pan or on the magnet. That will tell me if there is a problem,which you would not know with a flush. My local dealer only does the flush now, so I did it myself... JMO
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