Transmission Fluid - Other colors than just red?

[tkd_q45]

I'm asking because when Daedalus looked at my transmission dipstick it looked pretty brown. I was supposed to have the transmission fluid replace about 3K ago.

[Chally]

When you drop the oil from the sump of the transmission, you only remove about 1/3 to 1/2 of the total amout, as the Torque Convertor keeps at least 1/2 of its total amount & then there's the Valve Body etc. & so when you change the oil this way, you will always have discolored oil after the service.ie: you are only changing about 1/2 the oil.

To do it properly, you need a transmission flushing machine that works as the engine is working, which turns the Torque convertor, so all the oil is moving & is flushed out.

Hope this helps.

[Q45tech]

The Q pan drains around 3 quarts out of 10 at best! A pan drain is just to refreshen the additives in ATF not really to clean.

The bright sparkling red starts to wash out in color as the temperature takes its toll.A new transmission will take a year or15k before the change just gets noticable, then it progresses to reddish brown, tan, brown, brownish black, black and destruction.

An owner usually has to go through the $3,000-$4,000 transmission replacement before he decides to learn how trannies work and what steps can keep them alive.

[aaacomp]

I take my Q's to Jiffy Lube here in the DFW area along with 14qts of Mobile 1. Gives you an idea of how many qts are still in the transmission if you only do a pan drop...........................:thumbup

[Q45tech]

The extra 4 quarts the machine holds is to make sure any internal leaks are addressed by making sure 140% is supplied and run through.

Also so the machine can be used on MB and new 6 speed BMW/JAG ZF transmissions which hold 14 quarts......they recommend the flush is done twice for 28 quarts to get very clean.

Most unmaintained Q will need a double flush the first time its done.

[DAEDALUS]

I don't agree getting 1/2 the total is always the case. When I dropped my pan I got about 7 qts out, but that was after letting it drip for hours and going through the gears repeatedly.

[Q45tech]

Well we charge $90 an hour for every hour a car sits on the lift dripping as it is depriving us of $150 an hour in revenue [each tech only has one lift]. And they better do 11.5 billable hours per day or their pay checks might bounce......they are on duty 10 hours including the free lunch we provide [to keep them from straying].

Obviously 'do it yourselfers' can decide what their time is worth.

See what a bargain $120 flush is ! and it still takes almost an hour to do it correctly.

People that buy new lux cars [+$50k] average around $150,000 per year family income, hopefully their spare time is worth more than $100 an hour that's why they don't become 'do it yourselfers'.

Some how I don't see many Q owners sliding under the car to get a 2 gallon pan positioned and the drain plug off [many Q don't have a transmission drain plug as remains may have used the early pans without one]. Tools, funnels, measurements, mess, disposal

[DAEDALUS]

The economics of a dripping transmission are unarguably different between a shop and a DIY garage. But I don't think many people value their spare time at 300% their salary. Granted, people will have vastly differing opinions on getting greasy and dirty. I enjoy many aspects of turning wrenches; my friend and coworker, you'll recall, hasn't the slightest idea about how much oil his car takes nor what goes on under the hood beyond theory. I suspect he couldn't be a tech even if you offered him $200k/year. Not only that, but he'd probably be willing to pay $240 to have his transmission flushed, if that's the best deal he could find. The median household has 2 incomes--roughly 4000 man-hours/year. For a 2-income familiy making $150,000/year, that works out to $37.50/hour. Ah, but after taxes (hopefully the now-republican senate will ease some pain) they're looking at maybe $25/hour take-home. So one of the family members can spend 1/2 hour raising one corner of the car, getting under there to remove the drain plug, and shifting gears several times. He can spend another 1/2 hour shifting gears, closing up, and refilling the transmission. And in between the two events he can wait 6 hours, during which he's free to do whatever he normally does in his spare time, since his garage is paid for no matter what (hopefully).He can spend $70 on 14 qts of Mobil1 ATF, do the drain and fill 2x on different weekends (7 qts each time, 2 hours labor total), save $50 (after tax) over the 2 hours. The family is back to making $150k/year pre-tax AND they now have 95% new ATF. I don't see many Q owners doing the work either, but my point, albeit long-winded, is that economics may not play much of a role in the decision.

[Chally]

I just let the oil drain from the plug & it takes exactly 4 litres. I do this every time I change the Engine oil & the transmission oil stays looking very nice.

I also let it drain for an hour or so, as I do it at home & all it costs me is the price of the oil. (albeit at trade prices )

[tkd_q45]

Thanks for the feedback! I think I might try the EZ Lube in my neck of the woods (La Brea/LA location) for a transmission flush.

So should I get a "double" flush?

Will I notice any improvement with the Mobil 1 ATF?

[DAEDALUS]

The Mobil1 is recommended more for transmission longevity than anything else. For $40 extra or so per flush, I think it's worth the peace of mind. If your transmission's original, it's creeping up to the age that many of the 1st gens begin to fail (about 120k).

[tkd_q45]

Thanks for the feedback. I did a bit of online research and it seems that only Jiffy Lube has the transmission flush machine. I've read some not so great things about them. I'm sure service varies depending on shop/tech. I'll see how I feel about it tomorrow.

[Q45tech]

I asked BG and was informed that they had sold over 390 machines in metro Atlanta.......All the dealers have them as well as most independents and many transmission shops.........never been to a Quicky lube joint so I won't have a clue about these.

Guess there are areas in US where the word has not gotten out.....over 18,000,000 transmissions are replaced/rebuilt each year in US ......roughly 1 car in 10 every year or 1 in 7 when new cars [warranty] are taken out of the mix.

[aaacomp]

To quote Q45 if you haven't done a flush or your Q hasn't been maintained a double flush would be in order.. I eveyone has noticed a difference in the shifting after the flush using Mobile 1 ATF.. I get the Mobile 1 at Auto Zone for $4.99 qt here in Dallas area.................... :thumbup

[DAEDALUS]

EZ-Lube doesn't say in their website that they have the flush machines, but I know of at least 2 that do the service, including the one on Washington. Call the one nearest you to find out. The machine is not a BG machine, but I would think it's very similar. Maybe OTC.

[AZhitman]

HOLD IT!!! FRIGGIN' HOLD IT!!!!

Go to a Mobil gas station (most have at least 2 bays). There you'll get a MUCH better price on your ATF and they have the flush machines.

Their price on a Mobil1 oil change is $35. That's what the oil alone costs me...

[DougQ45]

The EZ lube franchise DOES have a transmission flush machine in their stores. Have had my Q's flushed 3 times (the last one with Mobil1), and even had the wifes mini van flushed this summer on one of their specials at $69!! Rcommend them highly as they will let you watch the whole procedure, and time the exchange to see how your pump is doing.

[tkd_q45]

Thanks for the tip. I'll give them a call. On their website they only state a drop pan service.

[maxnix]

Daedalus, where is that one in Washington?

Thanks.

[DAEDALUS]

Sorry, that was a meant for tkd_q45; we live in the same city and I was talking about a shop on Washington Ave that's local to both of us and which I had mentioned before.