DIY transmission flush

[ViruzOne]

Wondering if anyone has done a transmission flush themselves. Ive seen this on another forum.

http://www.angelfire.com/dc/bananags/completetrans/

Im thinking of doing this soon but if i can do the work myself i would be willing to do it, rather than taking it into a shop.

[qship96]

That method is not recommended for 90-01Q,only 2002+ models.

Either do multiple drain/fills{5-6} at home to get 85% new fluid in,or pay to have it professionally machine exchanged.Use synthetic like mobil 1 or redline d4 ATF

[maxnix]

Im thinking of doing this soon but if i can do the work myself i would be willing to do it, rather than taking it into a shop.

Sure fire! Why not risk your $5K transmission instead of renting the machine and its operator's expertise for an hour?

Might try sawdust while you are at it!

[Q451990]

Sure fire! Why not risk your $5K transmission instead of renting the machine and its operator's expertise for an hour?

Might try sawdust while you are at it!

Was all of that necessary? This is the kind of crap that time and time again starts flame wars. Maybe it's sarcasm, but it just doesn't come through that way in writing - so then someone fires an equally smarta$$ comment back and we're off to the races again.

He asked a question... Qship answered it - although I'm not sure on the recommendation that '02+ is OK. I can't blame him for wanting to save $$ and do something himself.

Heath

[maxnix]

I can't blame him for wanting to save $$ and do something himself.

Heath

Like rebuilding a transmission in his spare time? Mechanical fluid exchange is hardly a DIY, as the cost of the machines attest. But then perhaps neither is critical thinking nor analysis?

Doesn't mean some of them shouldn't be, though.

[qship96]

[QUOTE=Q451990

He asked a question... Qship answered it - although I'm not sure on the recommendation that '02+ is OK. I can't blame him for wanting to save $$ and do something himself.

Heath[/QUOTE]

My rec. on the 02+ q cooler line transmission procedure comes directly from Infiniti`s Factory Service Manual,as can be seen right here on nico.I personally believe doing multiple{5=6} drain/fills at home every 25k is an effective alternative to using a machine process,having done it both ways multiple times in the last 12 or so years.Going on 207,000 on original perfectly performing transmission..As they say.your results may differ

[bullittandy]

Was all of that necessary? This is the kind of crap that time and time again starts flame wars. Maybe it's sarcasm, but it just doesn't come through that way in writing - so then someone fires an equally smarta$$ comment back and we're off to the races again.

He asked a question... Qship answered it - although I'm not sure on the recommendation that '02+ is OK. I can't blame him for wanting to save $$ and do something himself.

Heath

X2

Anybody want to know what the problem with decorum is with this forum? Read Maxnix's answer.

To answer the question, The best DIY procedure is to drain and refill the pan several times. The only tricky part of this style is to measure the amount of fluid coming out of the pan. On my 97 and 99 its about 3 1/2 -4 quarts with each pan drain.

[Q451990]

Mechanical fluid exchange is hardly a DIY, as the cost of the machines attest

I don't disagree with that part of your statement, but I thought the question was well thought out. Given that ViruzOne posted a link to the procedure - obviously he did some research.

It's not like he came on here and said "Hey you morons... you are all idiots for paying for transmission flushes. Here's how the Lexus guys do it and I'm going to do it too" He just asked if it would work. That's the line I would use in deciding if I would take the time to type a condescending smarta$$ response, or just move on - especially in a case like this where the question has already been answered.

As a side note - Not knowing (and not getting an answer on the old yahoo forum) I once tried building a DYI flush machine out of a very clean 5 gallon bucket with a hose attached to the bottom of it with a barbed fitting. The thought was to gravity feed the ATF into the line leaving the cooler and feeding the transmission, while letting the other line drain into another bucket. From that I learned that the pump doesn't "suck" fluid in from the line... it only pushes it one way.

Heath

[GseaQ]

Two things. First, with a pan drop I've seen more fluid forced out than the normal 4 litres or so by adding some compressed air to the dipstick tube. Laugh if you like, but it works.

Second, I believe the pan bolts were meant to be one use only due to stretch when torqued. Replacing the bolts would make a pan drop less economical than a machine flush/exchange IMHO.

When we got our first Q, we had a pan drop done (+ compressed air and new bolts!) to see if there was anything in the pan besides fluid. Since then it's been machine flushes with synthetic. I figure if we keep the fluid fresh and cool with the external cooler there should be no need to drop the pan. Well, maybe I'll get the pan drop next month just to look, seeing it's been years since the last one, but follow up with a full flush.

Glenn

[RAP]

Was all of that necessary? This is the kind of crap that time and time again starts flame wars. Maybe it's sarcasm, but it just doesn't come through that way in writing - so then someone fires an equally smarta$$ comment back and we're off to the races again.

He asked a question... Qship answered it - although I'm not sure on the recommendation that '02+ is OK. I can't blame him for wanting to save $$ and do something himself.

Heath

Well.... Sawdust is a bit extreme but the point to be taken from this is

A $ 60000.00 CAR

An owner should not quibble at spending $ 125.00 or so to have the transmission flushed if needed?

Personally I'm into DIY but power flushing the transmission seems to be the way to go. All the old fluid is forced out, some cleaning fluid is forced through the transmission and that is flushed out also. Then the new fluid is installed.

I was leery about about having this done to my Legend but decided to do so by a shop that is owned and operated by a Honda franchisee although the actual shop doing the work was at a GMC, Caddy, and ? dealership.

There was some pros and cons about doing the power flush on Honda cars but apparently the cons prevailed and the Honda dealer started doing them.That was good enough for me.

Cost me $ 125.00 and in fact did improve the shifting of the Legend transmission. That was over three years back and no problems after some 40000 miles. Prices may have gone up since. WE ARE AT $ 100.00 PER BARREL FOR PETRO RIGHT NOW so...

I am contemplating having my 2000 Q 45 done after I contact the former owner to find out if he had had the trans fluid changed. I also plan to contact the Local Nissan dealer to find out if they do flushes and their prices.

Maxnix IS DA MAN tells it like it is.

Sawdust would really quiet things down if the trans is noisy.

Jack

[elwesso]

Uggh you'd think we were a bunch of old ladies at the country club playing bridge!!

I dont really think theres a right or wrong way to do the DIY trans flush, fact of the matter is, you CAN do it yourself and it IS effective, dare say as effective as a machine flush.. The machine flush is doing basically the same thing.. I dont see this being more/less effective than a machine flush, because oil is still mixed in the pan.

For beginners, the drain/refill is probably safer.. It could be easy to overfill or underfill the trans.. What I would do (and this is kind of a good idea, i may try this) is get a container with lines for pre measured quarts, and as soon as you get to a line, add a quart and just keep going... I cant remember the flow rate, but its about a quart a minute if memory serves so you'd have to be quick. I'd have a helper sit in the front seat, or have a plug in the engine bay handy so that if you needed to cut the motor you could do so really quick...

Ive done the home brew before and it worked good... only thing I'd do different is have a drain pan that I could measure the amount I took out instead of guessing...

[Q45tech]

Too many confuse chemical solvent/detergent flushing with simple ATF exchanges [whether total or partial]. New ATF of the same brand as old ATF won't do much cleaning especially varnishes from overheats...........you need serious stuff to clean and a serious defined proceedure.........running a few minutes in each gear position to make sure the solvents get to every tiny cranny/valve/hole in the transmission.

The solvent/detergents clean the tiny passages in valve body of varnish and embedded dirt [from clutch material], releash the about to fall off clutch materials and generally mop up loose materials that are non magnetic [job of pan magnet]....................then you flush out this crud with new ATF.......................via the first 4 of 14 quarts leaving the 10 quarts clean and spotless. [Hopefully].

Unless the transmission was so bad that the new ATF turns dirty and another ATF exchange is immediately required.

An external fine paper filter in the ATF line does wonders and catches all the clutch abrasives before they return to wear the control valves and bearings, pump vanes etc.

The solvent is picked so that it mostly evaporates [out the top vent] after 15-30 minutes at operating temperature.................[just like quick clean for engines]

Toluene 231FThe alcohols and acetones evaporate lower but swell the seals so they are too destructive to use in transmissions

[NightRiderQ45]

X2

Anybody want to know what the problem with decorum is with this forum? Read Maxnix's answer.

I have noticed at times. I plan on getting my fluid flushed with synthetic also with a BG system. The shifting from 2nd to 3rd is shifting hard. Oddly, two places in my area stated that you don't have to drop the pan and change filter with the BG system. Is this true? I don't think it is because I went ahead and ask for a price with them changing the filter. BTW, where can I purchase the Mobil 1 atf fluid? I know that I need 14qts.

[Q45tech]

BG Quick Clean for transmissions will clean the pan if product is used correctly circulating for 15 minutes in HOT ATF, however to clean the pan magnet you must drop the pan. To replace the metal large chunk screen/filter you must drop the pan.

If fluid exchanges are done every 30k or 2 years then you can do a pan drop and filter change every other cycle say 60k and 4 years.

It all depends on how long you want to prolong the transmission replacement.

[Q451990]

An owner should not quibble at spending $ 125.00 or so to have the transmission flushed if needed?

You too are missing my point. What harm was there in asking - especially with some documentation that it's being done successfully on a different brand of car? Do you only get your oil changed at an Infiniti dealership because you don't want to quibble over an oil change? How about wiper inserts? Air filter? How about changing a tail light bulb? Car wash? Air freshner? Somehow, I doubt everything on your cars are done at the dealership given your "plus other junkers around the yard" profile. I don't know many people with junkers that don't like to tinker with them! Hell, if had a big enough yard in a neighborhood that would allow it I would have a few spare parts Q's to play with.

My point is that different people have different thresholds on what is "DIY-able" and that may have more to do with one liking the satisfaction of making sure something is done correctly, or the challenge of it vs. just trying to save some $$$.

I just hate to see legitimate questions getting sasrcastic condescending answers. I would like to see a culture of people being helpful here vs. creating an environment where newer members shy away from asking questions and just try stuff that we veterans know won't work, and do damage to their cars! In this case, we have a very specific reason not to try it... toasting the planetaries that will run dry very quickly.

Heath

[NightRiderQ45]

BG Quick Clean for transmissions will clean the pan if product is used correctly circulating for 15 minutes in HOT ATF, however to clean the pan magnet you must drop the pan. To replace the metal large chunk screen/filter you must drop the pan.

If fluid exchanges are done every 30k or 2 years then you can do a pan drop and filter change every other cycle say 60k and 4 years.

It all depends on how long you want to prolong the transmission replacement.

Thanks for that great answer Tech!! I changed my fluid (regular atf) and filter July 2006. I plan on doing the flush next weekend with synthetic, I think that I'm going to change the filter again for a peace of mind knowing that I will be using synthetic.

Q451990. I'm a firm DIY'er when it comes to certain things. I can take my car to the Infiniti dealership and pay for them to do it, but I know for sure it is done correctly when I do it. Synthetic oil and filter courtesy of.....SuperTech!

[qship96]

I am not a big fan of using BG or any other solvent/detergent when exchanging the ATF-I believe if you exchange the ATF every 25k or so,from when transmission is new,with a high quality full synthetic fluid and never overheat fluid,thats the best you can do to protevt transmission from A FLUID RELATED breakdown/early death.Also,change the external paper filter regularly.

Wonder how much garbage clogs the external paper filter when using BG or other solvent/detergent? I would certainly never use a solvent/detergent flush without immediatly replacing this filter....

[Q45tech]

My 2nd transmission survived 7 BG Quick Clean operations [over 7 years] and when sold with 183k was functioning near new and as far as I know is still in the new home 5 years later but I don't have subsequent records since that owner moved out of state at about 210k.

I acquired a new Nissan rebuild and swapped for the heck of it during the 225k massive rebuild [parts replacement] when the diff and subframe were replaced.

There really isn't much dissolvable material in clutches most things are caused by decomposition of the ATF. Unlikely that Quick Clean can attack metals even aluminum.

[maxnix]

I just hate to see legitimate questions getting sasrcastic condescending answers. I would like to see a culture of people being helpful here vs. creating an environment where newer members shy away from asking questions and just try stuff that we veterans know won't work, and do damage to their cars! In this case, we have a very specific reason not to try it... toasting the planetaries that will run dry very quickly.

Heath

See, what is really "condescending" here is to perpetuate the myth that someone with only hand tools can effect a "DIY transmission flush" - i.e., a true pressurized mechanical exchange of old fluid with new. If that were possible, the manufacturer's of those machines would quickly cease production because no one would use them. A minimum amount of reflection and anyone can arrive at that deduction. It is not "helpful" to encourage patent absurdities.

Now, on to the automatic transmission rebuild using only chopsticks!

[qship96]

ugh,doing multiple drain/fills at home with a simple wrench as your only tool produces the same results as using a trans flush machine-PERIOD.

Brian,it is a simple dilution factor that is scientifically PROVEN,and extremely easy to calculate.The only advantage of using a machine is that it is more efficient therefor requires less new fluid to accomplish the same percent new fluid in/old fluid out,and speed of service{profits}

The major advantage of using a machine is if you want to circulate a solvent/detergent,you can then purge it out quicker while it is still hot..Personally I dont think any cleaner/chemical is necessary if you maintain transmission{change fluid}regularly from new.

The machine was designed TO MAKE MONEY for service centers,adding a HUGE PROFIT CENTER to many shops for a quick procedure...read the manufacturers literature on their websites,its all about QUICK PROFITS.The real flush...is to the customers wallet.

[Q451990]

See, what is really "condescending" here is to perpetuate the myth that someone with only hand tools can effect a "DIY transmission flush" - i.e., a true pressurized mechanical exchange of old fluid with new.

We're pretty much on the same page here as far as best to worst.

Pressurized flush > multiple drain and refill > one pan drop > do nothing

I would much rather see members do some sort of routine drain-and-refill maintenence vs. nothing. Done well, the mechanical fluid exchange should be marginally better, but I doubt it's much better. Like qship said, the advantage of getting solvents out is the big difference.

My point was only that your comment about Transgender Saw Dust, or some combination of that doesn't foster the kind of atmosphere that most of us want here - especially completely unprovoked. I'm sure you're a hell of a nice guy, and probably have a dry sense of humor that just doesn't translate well to the written word. At least I hope you meant some of that in jest...

Heath

[qship96]

Here are the mathematical results of multiple ATF drain/fills.

The following results are based on total transmission volume of 11 1/8 quarts{94-96Q}, and each drain of 3 quarts volume with time between drains {driving or idleing} to completely mix fluids.The results will be better if you follow the "2 minute drill "method, as you are removing a higher percentage of old atf/less fresh atf with each drain.

1st drain/fill.....................27% new ATF2nd drain/fill....................47% new ATF3rd drain/fill....................61% new ATF4th drain/fill....................72% new ATF5th drain/fill....................79% new ATF6th drain/fill....................85% new ATF7th drain/fill....................89% new ATF8th drain/fill....................92% new ATF9th drain/fill....................94% new ATF

Modified by qship96 at 12:12 AM 1/4/2008
Modified by qship96 at 12:16 AM 1/4/2008

[Q451990]

Interesting to see the diminishing returns on the later flushes...

Can you elaborate on the "2 minute drill" method? I assume you mean run the car for 2 minutes between drains? I would think there's some variance between transmissions on how quickly the fluid will exchange due to seal wear, etc. I remember Q45Tech talking about how he times different transmissions during flushes to gauge their health.

It looks like this DIY exchange would be somewhat economical with cheap conventional ATF vs. M1, since you're using an extra 12 qts. to get to 94% exchange.

I have considered going to a system of just draining and refilling the A/T at each oil change, with longer intervals for a full flush. Here again, I think anything is better than nothing.

Heath