$1,4** repair quote, need help, trans flush

[RandomFact314]

Hey I took my car to Goodyear yesterday b/c it was making weird sounds, one of the things on the long list of broken things they gave me with the $1,400 repair quote was a trans flush... Should I do it myself? use sythetic? should I call around to find a shop to do sythetic? please give any info. I have a auto trans if you don't know...

[user removed]

Trans flush for $1400=highway robbery.

Typically around $100. Most of the work beyond hooking up the machine is done by the machine itself. Cost will vary somewhat depending on the amount of fluid your transmission requires.

You do want it completely flushed, not just drained and refilled, because in most cases the torque converter will retain the old fluid.

Is there a problem with the way your transmission is operating?

regards
Mech

[bgd73]

I used to do transmission flush all the time. get the kit to change filter and drop pan till one corner is a spout for the oil catcher. clean the pan dry rags, and the magnet.Advanced auto stores may have a recycle you can drop it there. cost 20 bucks+ fluids and oh no, getting dirty.

the benefit of seeing what going on in there is priceless. the magnet, pay attention to it, the black fluid happens first trip anyway, nothing to fret. the convertors hang onto years and years of stuff.

[DonR]

Most places that do the trans flush do not replace the filter. The influx of revitalized detergents will disolve and dislodge lots of gunk that can further clog up the filter if it isn't changed. If you do it yourself, remember by removing the trans pan you will not get all the fluid out. The torque convertor holds several quarts as well. If you are not going to change it regularly, I would change the fluid & the filter twice fairly close together.

I change mine every 2 years & never drain the torque convertor.

Don

[wagonman76]

Originally Posted by DonR

Most places that do the trans flush do not replace the filter. The influx of revitalized detergents will disolve and dislodge lots of gunk that can further clog up the filter if it isn't changed. If you do it yourself, remember by removing the trans pan you will not get all the fluid out. The torque convertor holds several quarts as well. If you are not going to change it regularly, I would change the fluid & the filter twice fairly close together.

I change mine every 2 years & never drain the torque convertor.

Don

Right on. This happened to my friend after a trans flush, the trans repair shop that ended up fixing it confirmed it. If you're going to do a flush, at least change the filter first, or make sure they do first. And clean off the magnet if needed, this also gives you a clue to the health of the transmission. I don't know of any flush places that change the filter.

I never would recommend a flush, but that's just me. I change the fluid and filter on mine about every 50k and haven't had any problems. Besides, the owner's manual (at least none I know of) say anything about a flush, they say change the fluid and filter every so many miles.

[user removed]

My 98 Benz SLK 230 had no way to drain the fluid and no dipstick to even check the level. No recommended servicing in 100k miles. I am sure it had a pan you could drop, but most tranny filters are screens, unless they have changed them recently.

That being said, I think everyone's advice on this thread is good. Dropping the pan to see if there are any indications of future problems is good preventive maintenance. Flushing as a maintenance procedure every 30 k is also a good PM.

My point is, automatic transmissions (as represented by the Benz example) are pretty dog gone reliable and require very little maintenance under normal conditions. Driving for high mileage reduces the stresses on your auto tranny.

I had an 87 BMW that would not go out of 1st gear. It turned out to be the speed sensor, which was external and did not require any transmission removal or trear down.
Bottom line is be very careful of who you let mess with your automatic transmission, there are a lot of symptoms that can easily be misdiagnosed.

regards
Mech

[RandomFact314]

It was not $1400 for a trans flush, it was a $1400 bill, which included a trans flush, the trans flush alone was $130.....They said that it needed to be replaced b/c they tested it with a kit and it said my trans fluid was bad... Any advice on the better info?

[McTimson]

What else was on the bill?

You can easily do it yourself, you just have to decide if it's worth your time, especially since the car is apparently already going to be at the shop. If you don't want them to do it, just tell them not to.

[ALS]

$1,400? First of all are they trying to get you and the other guy to pay for their machine. These machines can be bought for under $3,000.

You never flush a transmission.
You do a fluid exchange, as others have told you.

Drop the pan and clean.
Clean or replace the filter.
Install pan and hook up up the machine to transmission lines and make sure you have at least three to four extra quarts of fluid on hand and exchange the old fluid for fresh.

The machine is really a holding tank for the new fluid and a reservoir to hold the used fluid. The fluid is transferred via the transmission internal pump.

If you do a google search on "Transmission Fluid Exchange" you will get instructions on how to do it your self.

[99LeCouch]

Goodyear shops are known for upselling lots of un-necessary items. They told my brother who lives in NY his minivan needed $1200 of repairs to pass inspection. Another shop agreed with only 2 items on their list for $300. His van drives much better after the second shop fixed some torn lower control arm bushings.

Get a second opinion.