How To: Auto Tranny Flush

[Mad Hatter]

This is a very simple way to flush your automatic transmission, and save yourself a ton of money!! You will need a friend to help out.

Items needed-
Large pan for draining
5-7 1/2 gallon milk jugs
8-10 inch piece of 1/2"(?)I.D. hose
Transmission funnel
ATF Dexron III fluid 8-12qts.
Extra set of hands:)
Wrench(17mm I think)

First, jack up the front end and install jack stands(don't forget to pull the E-brake). Make sure the oil is warm, and remove the plug from the rear of the transmission pan, careful not to spill(comes out very quick), you'll want to measure the amount that comes out. Drain in to a large pan of some sort. When the flow has stopped, reinstall the plug(22-30ft-lbs). Now measure the amount of oil drained(I recommend using some half gallon milk jugs), install your transmission funnel, and add that much back in to the transmission through the dipstick tube.

Now remove the line as shown in the pic, and let that drain in to a container(there shouldn't really be enough to measure). Now install the piece of short hose over the nipple coming out of the cooler, and run the open end in to a 1/2 gallon jug. Have a friend start the car, this will push the fluid through the cooler and out the hose in to the jug. When the jug is half full(or just before), turn the car off. You still get a little running out, but for the mostpart, flow should stop once the engine has. Now you can add 1 qt through the dipstick tube. Then again, start the engine, and measure out another qt, turn the engine off, and add 1 qt. Repeat this cycle, until you have good clean fluid showing up in the jugs.

Our transmission holds 7.8qts. I had good clean fluid by the time I had added 8qts. You should be able to tell fairly easily.

Once you feel that you have good clean fluid(you can flush an extra couple of qts if you want, just to be sure), reinstall the cooler line, let the car back down and run the engine for a while. Now follow the recommended procedure for checking the fluid level for your operating range, and add or remove as necessary(I had to remove about a pint, and just drained it through the cooler again).

That's all there is to it. The dealers don't even remove the pan, and change the filter. There isn't even a gasket for the pan, just some silicone. And the money you saved by doing it yourself can be put towards the purchase of the new synthetic(if you choose)oil. I went with AMSOIL $5.99qt(yes $5.99, case price (thumb) )

[Rism]

hooray! Nice post
I hope my 8qts of redline is enough i really dont want ot buy more

[Mad Hatter]

hooray! Nice post
I hope my 8qts of redline is enough i really dont want ot buy more

How much for the redline? I couldn't find it cheaper than $100 shipped.

[Mr. Win]

I did a fully tranny flush with vaccum and pressure we took out almost 8 and we put 7.5 back in and it had way to much in it we drained it back almost to 6 before that damn sound stopped. I used B&M trickshift which was a cool blue color and i found it work great and it cured some tranny problems i was having.

We had the machine so it was alot easier... hehe

[Mad Hatter]

We had the machine so it was alot easier... hehe

Cheater:)

[Mr. Win]

hah yea i was just putting a beware out to you guys if you hear a werid sounds like a wirrrhing it means theres to much fluid. Also when you check the fluid it needs to be warm if i remeber correctly.

[Mad Hatter]

Also when you check the fluid it needs to be warm if i remeber correctly.

Yes it does. Min. of 70 degrees. (operating range in my post)

[Lil Freek]

What's the cheapest place to get Red Line, so far, I've only found it for $7.50.

I'm gonna go ask around and see how much 40qt is at a few local places.. If I'm gonna buy it.. may as well buy enough to last all summer :)

edit: i'm looking at D4, exclusively

[Rism]

How much for the redline? I couldn't find it cheaper than $100 shipped.

I got it for 7$/qt on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6763&item=7923224842&rd=1

cost 69$ shipped for 8 qts

[twilightprotege]

moved to how to :D

[GHOSTWHISPER]

Now what about the filter though, are you saying they dont even replace the filter?

[Mr. Win]

nah and you really don't need to replace the filter for a while...

[GHOSTWHISPER]

I'm at 35000 do you think i should replace it?

[tonkabui]

aren't you supposed to use mercon V fluid?

[Mr. Win]

ghost you should pay me ten bucks hehe

anyways change your fluid? yes. fliter can wait.

[Nutari]

Shit.. I just changed my fluid.. just took off the drain bolt.. let it drain.. dropped the pan.. changd filter.. put it all back together ..

I was wondering why only 3 qts fit when the manuals said 6.5

[Mad Hatter]

Shit.. I just changed my fluid.. just took off the drain bolt.. let it drain.. dropped the pan.. changd filter.. put it all back together ..

I was wondering why only 3 qts fit when the manuals said 6.5

You didn't empty the torqe converter, which holds the remaining fluid. And 6.5??

[Mad Hatter]

Now what about the filter though, are you saying they dont even replace the filter?

The dealer doesn't even relpace it, that is correct.

[ZiO]

aren't you supposed to use mercon V fluid?

<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 111pt; mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt" cellPadding=0 width=148 border=0><TBODY><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 1.5pt; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 1.5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1.5pt; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; WIDTH: 1.5in; PADDING-TOP: 1.5pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" noWrap width=144>Synthetic D4 ATF<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 1.5pt; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 1.5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1.5pt; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-TOP: 1.5pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"><TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 105pt; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=140 border=0><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 0.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: red; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 0.75pt"><o:p> </o:p>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><o:p></o:p>

</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 2; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 1.5pt; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 1.5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1.5pt; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-TOP: 1.5pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">
Our most popular and versatile ATF, D4 is suitable for use where Dexron III, Dexron II, or Mercon fluids are recommended.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

usually it will say on the bottle, but most dexron II and III are suitable for mercon..

[nalspeed]

I KNOW THIS IS A STUPID QUESTION BUT WHAT EXACTLY does your car do after you flush the fluid? or why do you even flush the fluid?



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</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 1.5pt; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 1.5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1.5pt; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-TOP: 1.5pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"><TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 105pt; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=140 border=0><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 0.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: red; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 0.75pt"><O:p> </O:p>



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><O:p></O:p>



</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 2; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 1.5pt; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 1.5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1.5pt; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-TOP: 1.5pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent">

Our most popular and versatile ATF, D4 is suitable for use where Dexron III, Dexron II, or Mercon fluids are recommended.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

usually it will say on the bottle, but most dexron II and III are suitable for mercon..

[Nutari]

I KNOW THIS IS A STUPID QUESTION BUT WHAT EXACTLY does your car do after you flush the fluid? or why do you even flush the fluid?


same reason you change your oil. It gets dirty and burnt. At which point, it stops working and it starts damaging your transmission.

[Douggie]

Thanks for the How-to! Was wicked easy since I have a remote starter! Just start/stop the engine with the remote while holding the tube and watching the nasty stuff come out :D

Got a little messy when the tube is removed from the cooler though... :)

[Mad Hatter]

Thanks for the How-to! Was wicked easy since I have a remote starter! Just start/stop the engine with the remote while holding the tube and watching the nasty stuff come out :D

Got a little messy when the tube is removed from the cooler though... :)

Congrats! Now you can feel a little better about your tranny. Very easy job, and look at how much you saved by doing it yourself. Now take that money and buy something nice for your car(or gas:D).

[fLyPiNoY7]

my manual mode stopped working on the drive home after changing the fluid...any solutions?

[TheTransporter]

Thanks for the info on the tranny flush. I am debating doing it myself. Did you change the filter or did you leave the old one in?

Thanks,
TheTransporter

[Onatrum]

I've probably read this how-to 5 times before deciding that I'm just too lazy and I'm going to get mine flushed at a shop.

But in regards to the filter, I decided to call the dealership and ask. They explained that it's more like a screen, not an actual filter. Any truth to that? Every shop I called after that confirmed that if they use the machine to flush the fluid, it will clean the filter/screen during the flush.

[dfphoto]

Hi in the picture I can't tell from viewing it where that is on the car sorry to ask a stupid question like that but is that towards the radiator? Thanks in advance, also is the starting the car part something I could do by myself meaning could i simply start it run it for a few minutes and turn it off?

I hate to ask friends for stupid favors like that.

[Tom03es]

Yes, that is coming off the radiator. It's pretty easy to get to from under the car- there's a little flap in the shield.

And you don't want to run the car for a couple minutes- 10 seconds or so will fill a 1 qt bottle.

[joneb4evr]

i have about 93k miles. i doubt there has been a transmission service done because my brother had it around 50k miles and drove it up to 90k. i guess i should probably do the filter change as well right? oh and what kind of oil would be best to use? the red line? amsoil? what weight should i get?

[Demoniam]

Bump for this same question... just hit 90k

[Tom03es]

Crack open that owner's manual (probably located in your glove box) and look up with weight of fluid you should use.

[joneb4evr]

has anyone changed out their filter? how about any pics? I'm going to be doing this. I guess I could take pics of the procedure... :)

[CTpro5]

http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/J5010174527ACO.JPGJust shopping on the web, and came across this filter kit.
http://www.autobarn.net/worldpac.html

has anyone changed out their filter? how about any pics? I'm going to be doing this. I guess I could take pics of the procedure... :)

[joneb4evr]

Just shopping on the web, and came across this filter kit.
http://www.autobarn.net/worldpac.html

oh yea, i forgot about this thread. I ended up posting on the P5 thread. Here are a few shots that I took while doing the transmission oil and filter change. I had some more but I deleted them.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010319.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010320.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010318.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010317.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010315.jpg

[CTpro5]

Just finished doing the Flush. First of all BIG THANK to Mad hatter for this How to's. Everything went smooth,other than the removal of the hose in the cooler outlet. my oil ATF was long overdue. (40,000 miles and 6 Years).
The old ATF was BLACK, and THICK. By the time i added 7 Qts, the oil coming out was showing a little clear and red. so i used total of 8 Qts to flush the system.
Also while surfing online last night i came across a How to's by AMSOIL. exactly like this one,except the removal of the drain pan, and filter.
After the flush shift was a alot smoother. I plan to do this again when i hit 50,000 miles, since it's so easy.
Mazda dealer here in NYC want $275 for the flush using their "HI-TECH" machine. now i can use that money i saved, and paid the 2 stupid traffic tickets i got last week at $105 EACH.
Damn i HATE NYC!!!! Thank again Mad!!!!!!

BTW: The Drain plug was 18mm.

[intimidator2000]

From the pictures joneb4evr posted I guess what the dealer told me about the filter begin a strainer is wrong.

[VooDooMan]

Hey guys, I want to tackle the tranny flush on my mazda 3 2007 2.3L

I dont know if you guys are doing forward or reverse flushing of the tranny....I would like to know so I disconnect the appropriate hoses from my pump ( no cooler on my engine model it seems )

Please let me know guys!
Thanks

[fishdonotbounce]

For anyone changing the filter, advance auto parts has the kit pictured above for 20 bucks and they usually have it in stock right there. Autozone or any other of those stores should have it too.

[slavrenz]

Just finished doing the Flush. First of all BIG THANK to Mad hatter for this How to's. Everything went smooth,other than the removal of the hose in the cooler outlet. my oil ATF was long overdue. (40,000 miles and 6 Years).
The old ATF was BLACK, and THICK. By the time i added 7 Qts, the oil coming out was showing a little clear and red. so i used total of 8 Qts to flush the system.
Also while surfing online last night i came across a How to's by AMSOIL. exactly like this one,except the removal of the drain pan, and filter.
After the flush shift was a alot smoother. I plan to do this again when i hit 50,000 miles, since it's so easy.
Mazda dealer here in NYC want $275 for the flush using their "HI-TECH" machine. now i can use that money i saved, and paid the 2 stupid traffic tickets i got last week at $105 EACH.
Damn i HATE NYC!!!! Thank again Mad!!!!!!

BTW: The Drain plug was 18mm.

Dude, black and thick? I can't think of any reason it would be like this unless your tranny it totally shot.

R U sure you didn't flush the engine oil? :)

[slavrenz]

oh yea, i forgot about this thread. I ended up posting on the P5 thread. Here are a few shots that I took while doing the transmission oil and filter change. I had some more but I deleted them.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010319.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010320.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010318.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010317.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f366/JOnEB4EvR/P1010315.jpg

That's the same ATF I use. Valvoline MaxLife FTW!!! (dance)

[djcharlee]

I am doing this this weekend.