ChuckDaMaxRider

Just wondering if it's a good idea to have my automatic tranny flushed at 120K miles...shifts perfectly fine right now and about 80K are highway miles...

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

If you have had many flushes in the past go for it. If this will be your first one, then you are f*cked, because the new fluid will act as a detergent and strip apart the clutch packs. I learned this by doing a first time fluid change on a 89 Ford Tempo with about 90k on it. Of course leaving 120k dirty fluid in the tranny will cause problems too, but I think you will get more miles out of it. You are screwed either way.

ChuckDaMaxRider

Thanks for the insight..anymore thoughts?

vsamoylov

tranny is flushed on nissan usually 30-40k. so do the math. and i never heard of that problem before and how the clutch packs will strip apart.

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

It is simple. The 120K fluid COULD be the only thing holding it togather. Once the new fluid is put in the tranny, it will actally "strip" the interior componets of the tranny and damage them. This includes the clutch packs. The new fluid does this because ATF is a VERY VERY strong detergent. Most shops won't even do a tranny fulsh on a car that has been neglected like that!

vsamoylov

that is a first. go to a shop and let them do it and get a warranty and if they screw it up, you might get a new tranny. get a good shop to do it though.

joosdawg

iTrader: (9)

i agree with what i30 is saying because that exact thing happened to my 88 camry i did the first tranny fluid change at 109,000 and no later than 500 miles later the tranny took a s*it on me so i am leary of that now...

{-_-}

iTrader: (2)

what if you change out the atf slowly? is this an option or is getting a shop to do it the ONLY way?

i30ds

iTrader: (8)

How would you do it slowly?

Wills98MaxSE

same ? but for a '98 SE, AT w/ close to 109K, fluid appears to be decent shape, go ahead w/ the flush or pass on it?

Magikone69

iTrader: (2)

i think what he means by slowly is drain and fill sparingly, not just wham bam drain the whole thing and fill with new fluid. doing it lets say, 5 small drain and refills over a period of time will this be safer. i too am in this same boat, i have 120k on the stock fluid, pretty sure previous owner didnt change it out. so that means my fluid is 10 years old!!!!

my tranny feels great and i wanted to change my fluid just to ensure everything continues to work well. so my Q is do i continue to jus use this old fluid, i doubt that can be good for the car. or can i slowly enter new fluid over a period of time, lets say over an 8-12 month period

I30tMikeD

iTrader: (8)

I wouldn't flush it, but a drain and fill should be OK.