What's the difference between a chemical flush and a mechanical ATF flush.

[pabs324]

I've been researching this topic for a while now and I'm finding different answers on this topic.

I wanna know what's included in both of these procedures and is a fluid exchange the same as any both of these methods.

What would the BG service be considered.

I wanna have mine done but want it done the right way. My ATF is due...

[qship96]

There are 3 different procedures you can choose from to replace the ATF.

1. Simple drain/fill, which must be repeated about 6 times to effectivly replace 85% of old atf

2 mechanical atf fluid exchange using a machine to remove/replace fluid-should result in 90%+ replacment of old atf with new.

3 same as #2 above, except a cleaning chemical{AKA flush agent} is added and circulated thru transmission for a short time before the machine removes/replaces atf

Take your pick of the 3 above....all 3 if repeated every 25-30 thousand miles should eliminate fluid as any cause of transmission problems if you do not overheat transmission.

Changing internal screen strainer and external paper filter must also be considered with any comprehensive transmission maintenance plan

[maxnix]

I've been researching this topic for a while now and I'm finding different answers on this topic.

My ATF is due...

Read Q45tech's post form oldest to most recent.

If you can see a difference with the white paper towel test, your ATF is overdue for replacement. Whatever you do, do not use the cheapie pneumatic ones. If you read enough, you will understand.

[pabs324]

I wanna drop the pan, replace the filter and gasket.Which one would that go under or is that a step in the process?

is the exchange the same thing as a flush?

[qship96]

pan drop/screen replacement can be done with any method{it is a separate process}

Flush generally means the chemical cleaner is added before the fluid is exchanged.

Fluid exchange is just that ...exchange old atf for new {no chemical cleaner flush agent added before exchanging the atf}

External paper element atf filter should also be replaced, more important than servicing internal filter screen in my book, as it will clog and go into bypass way before the coarse strainer screen clogs

[pabs324]

I can do both of them then. The BG process is the flush correct

In what order should it done?1 pan drop/screen replacement 2 flush 3 exchange or in a different order?

[maxnix]

I can do both of them then. The BG process is the flush correct

In what order should it done?1 pan drop/screen replacement 2 flush 3 exchange or in a different order?

Largely depends on condition of ATF. If realtively good (no discernible or very slight change in color, then pan drop, clena and inspection, filter and O ring replacement, new gaskets and one time use bolt, then mechanical exchange.

If ATF is bad (brownish or worse), then chemical flush, mechanical exchange (with same brand but not necessarily synthetic), pan drop, filter and O ring replacement, new gasket and one time bolts, and final fill ATF exchange.

Here's one abused ATF story.

zerothread?id=578

[maxnix]

Here is another thread for you to peruse that will answer your questions.

zerothread?id=578

[pabs324]

is the BG transmission procedure the chemical flush?

[maxnix]

No, please note the chemical flush is the addition of the BG Quick Clean for automatics. Try reading the posts more carefully.
Modified by maxnix at 12:45 PM 5/5/2008

[Q45man1]

I had a BG chemical flush + pan drop done in my G50 two weeks ago. I bought my trans kit from Joe. This is my 2nd flush in 30K miles.

[pabs324]

so the mechanical exchange is the use of machine to pump out the old fluid such as the bg machine.

the chemical flush is the addition of an additive such as bg quick clean and then the fluid is removed.

Am I correct
Modified by pabs324 at 1:22 AM 5/8/2008

[Q45denver]

You are correct sir.

[pabs324]

ok thanks

[pabs324]

How can I tell if my transmission has ever been replaced?

[pabs324]

The color is pinkish with a hint of red

[maxnix]

Don't think you can tell if job done correctly. Never have heard of a late model RE4 being changed out as the twin heat exschanger tanks and external filter had cured most of the earlier ills. The time to exchange the fluid is before it degrades. Why it's done every 2 years/24K, or whatever your standards are. Dont' forget auxiliary ATF cooler installation. It's not climate, but also hills, high speed, hard acceleration, etc.

Good luck!

[pabs324]

While waiting to get my car diagnosed for the smoke problem I'm having I asked if they use the BG machine and drop the pan and gasket. The tech told me they use the BG machine but do not drop the pan and replace the filter nor gasket. He said the machine gets everything out so there is no need.

I asked what if I wanted it to be done and he told me yea but for more money because it's more work.

[maxnix]

He said the machine gets everything out so there is no need.

I asked what if I wanted it to be done and he told me yea but for more money because it's more work.

Yeah, that's what Jerry thought too.

Pay the money, supply the parts yourself.

[pabs324]

Yea, that's exactly what I'm going to do.

so go chemical flush, pan drop filter and o ring replacement then mechanical exchange.

My fluid is pink with hints of red

[ScottJackson]

Yup, a pan drop with new filter is good to do a least a few times during a car's life. If you change the fluid really often, you can skip the filter change as it does take quite a bit of clutch material to plug a filter. Basically, if it's never been done before or you don't know how many miles were on the filter change and you've got more than 60K or so miles on the trans, do the filter too.