Has anyone with an auto tranny changed the filter and fluid? I think you have to drop the pan in the trans to get to the filter, but I'm not sure. I spent 20 mins looking in the stickies and there is nothing in there about an automatic, just the manual trans. Is it difficult if you did it?

 

Haynes manual is a good thing to have around..

 

There's no other way to get to the filter...

A couple of bolts for the pan, pop out the filter (really just a mesh screen, but whatever), clean it out, and put it all back together.

 

You can do it yourself but your never going to get all the fliud out. When you go to an autoshop that has the machine that pumps fliud through to clean entire system. Your transaxle, transmission all get flushed and cleaned with over 12qts. until it is nice and red. It is worth the $70 bucks to go to a place that has the machine, don't go to a cheaper place that only drains and refills. Just ask them how they service transmissions, most places have this technology. It is worth it to get it flushed entirely then you have all new trans fliud, and all the bad stuff gets flushed out.

 

DO NOT remove the screen(filter).

You will do more harm than good.

 

dont even think about that stupid filter... its a screen not worth changing... trust me.... i have dont it...

 

If you service your trans properly, drain and fill every 30k. There should not be any reason to flush the system. My trans has 93k and still going strong. I serviced the trans when I got it at 40k and then at 60k and 90k my fluid has never looked dark. It has always had that nice red dextron look and smell. Also be aware that if your trans fluid is black and burnt, you may be better off to drain and fill VS flush. The flush will clean all the varnish and gum out, however that is all that's holding some of the older abused trans together.

 

I just recently did the service. Drain the fluid with the plug. Remove about 16-18 10mm bolts on the pan. More fluid will come out so be ready. It will continue to drip out as long as you have the pan off. Clean the pan thoroughly, especially the two magnets stuck to the bottom. Clean off all of the old gasket. Inspect and clean the screen. Replace the pan with a new gasket. Torque the bolts back in EVENLY and only to 12 lbs. IIRC. Put the drain plug back in. Refill the tranny until you reach the cold level. Drive it to get it warm and then check and refill as necessary. Do this a couple times. Check for leaks.

I think it is important to remove the pan and clean it because that crap at the bottom is stuff that won't drain out.

 

Thank you