Bone Collector

I just wanted to share with you guys what I flushed out of my 99 Auto with 218K miles. I have had the car since it was at 132K miles for 6 years. I have never drained or added a drop of ATF to this car. I flushed out 10 Quarts total and every single one of them was JET BLACK. I refilled it with Royal Purple Max ATF. I got pics of the first 6 Quarts that came out. After that I forgot I was taking pics. I can't believe I have neglected this transmission for so long for a project that takes 45 min.

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

You flushed it, or did a drain and fill?

Bone Collector

I don't know about you guys, but it will not let me view the photos when I click on them. Here are the links...

http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/Bo...tml?sort=3&o=0

http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/Bo...tml?sort=3&o=1

JoshG

Flushed, drain and fill are 2 different things...!

Bone Collector

I flushed it, no drain and refill.

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

That's, like the worst thing you could've done.
I hope your transmission lasts you now.

Bone Collector

We'll see, thats what I've heard. I'm not convinced from the arguments I've heard. Sounds to me like the cases I hear about result from letting a shop use a machine to do it.

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

Flushing it is using a machine to force it through.

Did you just disconnect the hoses and let the car do the work?
That's not really a "flush" in the way we talk about.

ateick

iTrader: (1)

This discussion of flushes vs. drain and fills has been going on for a long time now and everyone has their option and I don't expect to change many minds I just don't understand where people get their facts to form those options.

I believe in flushes if, and this is the important part, they are done properly with the right equipment. Nothing wrong with drain and fills but just expect to do it a number of times to get to the quality of fluid obtained with a flush and this just isn't a convenient option for most car owners.

In my experience usually what happens is that someone who begins to notice a problem with their transmission goes in, after neglecting this preventative maintenance area for 10's of 1000's of km, and finally does a flush. Then they begin to notice over time the the problem gets worse and worse. Of course it becomes the flushes fault but the trans was already showing signs of failure.

Again I don't expect to change options but I've flushed mine (when I was autotragic) and I've done hundreds and hundreds of other vehicles without returns for failure. Thems my facts.

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
You're a mechanic?

Bone Collector

Lord no I didnt let a shop do it it. I did it the only way I trust. Let it flush itself through the return hose. Bash it if you will, but the goal I set was achieved. I got 10 Quarts of black fluid out, and now its a beutiful red.

yellow_cake

That's my preferred method as well. Although I do drop the pan first to inspect and clean the filter.

It has probably been about 25,000 km since I did it last on the '95... runs as good as ever.

Bone Collector

I did remove the pan, clean the magnets & screen, new gasket then flush.

jholley

iTrader: (13)

You did a non pressurized flush. As yellow cake says that's the safest and cleanest route to go for a high mileaged AT you don't have the full record of maintenance for. I do that flush every 30,000 miles and drop the pan for cleaning every 60,000 miles.

Being the original owner of my 98 SE I've had no defects with the AT and have always kept it clean, but I'd rather play it safe than sorry.

A friend just paid $3,500 to have his AT replaced on his 2006 Continental. It failed on him right after a machine pressurized flush. To each his own.

Bone Collector

Thanks for the support guys.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Which line is the return? Thinking about doing this myself before the cooler install.

yellow_cake

Can't remember which, but there is an easy test you can do to find out...

Disconnect both hoses @ the transmission cooler.
Have someone start the car for 1 seconds.
The hose which squirts out oil is the supply line and the other is the return line.

BronxSleeperMax187

Get on A plastic ramp or street curb whatever you got lol, facing the car the hose is to ur left on bottom of radiator, get under there and remove the plastic cover on that side to get to it, remove metal clamp holding it there, its A thin hose not like the upper ones, remove hose and place in bucket have friend turn on car while you hold hose in bucket for 15 seconds, measure how much came out and pour back same amount. Ten minute job if you've done it before. First time take ur time and if alone make sure that hose is in A sturdy bucket cause the pressure will spray it everywhere..... plastic ramps help with the bucket clearance.

jholley

iTrader: (13)

On the AT side it's the upper hose. The upper return hose has a pinch clamp while the lower feeding hose has a screw clamp.

Here's a picture



Disconnecting the return hose on the AT side will allow less ATF spilling.

uttadms31

My tranny fluid was probably jet black from when I bought my car at 80k all the way until I changed it at 202k. Tranny still working smooth and fluid still cherry red at 236k. Goes to show how well these cars were built.

Bone Collector

Theres no denying the durability of these cars if you stay on top of the routine maintenance.