transmission maintenance...

[qx4_mannn]

I have 45K on my original transmission fluid... no towing or off roading, just normal city/highway traffic.... so, I think I'm due for a change.

I bought 14 qts of Mobil 1 synthetic ATf, and purchased a AT filter kit (filter, gasket, o-ring) and was hoping to do it myself, but then I read here in the forums that a flush might be needed.

I'm now having trouble finding a local shop who will do a flush using synthetic. I've run into a wide range of responses too... some saying a flush isn't necessary and to just drain normally, some say mixing the dino that remains after a normal drain with the new synthetic is ok, others say to drain and run the trans through the gears until it's almost dry! (That I don't think is a safe way to do it!)

Others places I've called said to be careful of flushing as some shops don't do it right and sometimes blow-out internal seals because they use too much pressure.

My local Infiniti dealer won't do anything because I'm not using Infiniti supplied fluid... argh!

What should I do? If I drain and change it myself is there anyway to get most of the old dino fluid out? What's the best way to get the torque coverter drained? Do I really have to worry about the old oil and the new synthetic mixing? Should I really look and find a shop who can flush it?

Any advice is much appreciated... thanks.

:help

[qx4_mannn]

I found this on the 'net and was wondering if it sounds like a reasonable method:

1. Drain the transmission fluid, clean pan, change filter / gasket, put pan back on.

2. Refill with synthetic, then pull the return line from the transmission cooler on the bottom of your radiator (to figure out which is which, unplug all your coil packs and crank the engine and see which way the liquid flows).

3. Once you have that established have a friend crank and run the engine. Every ~2qts of fluid that comes out, stop the car and replace with synthetic (I use 2 1 gallon milk jugs for measuring purposes).

4. Stop replacing when the fluid coming out is the new stuff (lighter, more reddish in color).

This method doesn't "force" anything through the transmission, it just utilizes the flowing fluid that the transmission circulates. Unless your old transmission fluid is extremely black and flows very thin, you should be OK.

[PalmerWMD]

QX4Mann:We have some great transmission flush procedure posted.Look in our Infiniti General forum and in Infiniti Online Mechanic sub forums here on NICO.Detailed descriptions if memory serves.I would search and link you, but this gov't terminal wont allow pasting.

Fred..

[ARKQX33V6]

Don't waste money on synthetics for a transmission drain every 2 years with normal oils. ATF is a good cleaner in itself, do not use Ford quality fluids. If your transmission has a drain cap on it use that then flush with an extra qt of ATF, seal up and change every 24 months, no filter, no screen cleaning, no new gasket. My QX4 is 14 years old, never a filter, screen or gasket change, but oil changed every 24 months miles mean nothing at that time interval. Now if it was the engine, I use Mobl1 synthetics every 3 months, Pumpkins every 2 years, transfer case 24 moths, Coolant 24 months, brake fluid 24 months.

[fueler]

^ good advice

[GRNMACHINE]

Have to agree with ARK and fueler.

[ARKQX33V6]

If during the 2 year interval between transmission oil changes you get any OBDII codes related to the transmission, you may have solenoid slow up or long time solenoid seal-in caused by minute particles. If this happens do a quick oil change again and you may flush this crap out, reset the MIL light and drive.
May save $$, and oil is cheap and keeps transmission with refreshed oils, can't hurt

[Empty V]

If you look in the "How To:" sticky thread at the top of the forum you'll find this: How To: Change Transmission Oil/Filter/Pan Gasket 2001 R50