questions about "how to: automatic tranny fluid change"

[simon barsinister]

Hi,

I'm somewhat new to this board and had a few questions for someone who's done a tranny flush as per the "how to:
automatic transmission fluid change" posting.

1. Is the UPPER hose attached to the fitting jutting out from the oil cooler at 45 degrees?

2. I noticed someone posted a message about disconnecting the LOWER hose instead of the UPPER one for draining. Would it damage the tranny by using the LOWER hose? Someone please explain or point me to a link explaining the cooling process here as I do not want to damage my transmission by starving it of fluid.

3. How long does it take for fluid to start coming out through the drain hose?

4. How long until two quarts are emptied into the bucket?

Thanks. -Simon

[akauth]

Originally Posted by simon barsinister

Hi,

I'm somewhat new to this board and had a few questions for someone who's done a tranny flush as per the "how to:
automatic transmission fluid change" posting.

1. Is the UPPER hose attached to the fitting jutting out from the oil cooler at 45 degrees?

2. I noticed someone posted a message about disconnecting the LOWER hose instead of the UPPER one for draining. Would it damage the tranny by using the LOWER hose? Someone please explain or point me to a link explaining the cooling process here as I do not want to damage my transmission by starving it of fluid.

3. How long does it take for fluid to start coming out through the drain hose?

4. How long until two quarts are emptied into the bucket?

Thanks. -Simon

Use the lower hose, it's easier. I think that's the return. The only diffence is you will be taking the fluid from the cooler instead of the trans and you get a male connector to stick your hose on. Get a 3 foot length of hose and put it in a five gallon bucket. Get a stick and fill the bucket with two quarts of water, mark the stick. Then throw in two more quarts, mark the stick, etc. That way you can even change the fluid at night and you can see how much you have taken out.

Fluid will start coming out immediately. In about 15 second or under you'll have drained 2 quarts. Then put more in and keep going.

I put in close to 4 gallons and one gallon left over.

Alan

[simon barsinister]

Thanks for your help Alan.

I tried a dry run with 2 quarts of dextron III. It appears the fluid is driven from the lower oil cooler pipe into the lower hose of the tranny cooler. Luckily, I ran both connections into the bucket. I did notice a small amount of tiny air bubbles in the fluid at 1 3/4 quarts drained, but hopefully this is not a problem. Will try again with Mobil I when the weather gets warmer.

[akauth]

Originally Posted by simon barsinister

Thanks for your help Alan.

I tried a dry run with 2 quarts of dextron III. It appears the fluid is driven from the lower oil cooler pipe into the lower hose of the tranny cooler. Luckily, I ran both connections into the bucket. I did notice a small amount of tiny air bubbles in the fluid at 1 3/4 quarts drained, but hopefully this is not a problem. Will try again with Mobil I when the weather gets warmer.

Yeah, then I guess it's the upper you want. I can't remember from when I did it. I looked it up before I did it. I wouldn't worry about the bubbles, you still had more than enough fluid in the pan. Honestly, I think you could run it dry and it would still not harm anything. You just won't achieve any pressure - I'd just make sure that you don't do it for very long.

It's easier to do it while it's warm but if you do it on a pretty sunny weekend day it's not too bad and then it's done.

Doing the flush is more helpful during the summer months when the trans is going to get hot vs. winter when it's colder. Though any time you do something usually "sooner is better".

Alan