Hi Guys,

My 2000 GLE has around 195K km on it (around 120k miles). Was looking into getting the transmission flush but was told that this is not recommended for high mileage cars because of the amount of metal debris in the transmission, and that could hurt the vehicle.

Can anyone confirm or contradict this with certainty?

Much thanks.

 

you can just use a fluid exchanger machine (flush machine) and add it in series and not add any chemicals and "flush" it. Not bad at all.

 

That is only partially true. If the trans was not maintained (flushed) and this will be your first it's not recomended. The bits of debris act as a secondary gasket for a lot of the parts and filler for the clutches/bands. When you flush it out you sometimes will end up with leaks or extra tolerance in the bands and clutches which cause slippage, heat and eventual failure of the trans.

 

Oh and if it has been done on a regular basis then you should be fine.

 

Thanks for the input guys - I'm not certain about the frequency of the transmission flush work done.

I've owned the car since it had around 65k miles (100k km) on it. This was three years ago, and it now has 120k mi (190k km). I've done exactly one transmission flush at a Nissan dealership at approx 85k mi.

If someone can advise me on what direction to go that would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

 

I'd just do a couple drain and refills about a week apart.

 

NisTech, correct me if i'm wrong, but when nissan gives you a transmission "flush" they're actually just doing a drain/fill, which is that fluid exchange that you mentioned?

 

what he said

 

It depends on the dealership and how cheap the owners are. Some shops do drain and fill only, some spend more money for a machine. Not regulated by Nissan N.A. Dealers are independent so it is important to choose a good one and even a good technician. And for the shops that do have machines some techs use the machine to do coolant flushes and some just drain the rad. So just a heads up!
The one we have you have to manually add chemicals to flush it and hook up the machine in between the cooler at the rad and transmission line that goes into the tranny. This machine does not suck or push with force fluid so it will not cause damage. Fluid circulates through the cooler to cool it off and this machine goes in series so if 12 litres go into the machine it goes into dirty fluid container and slowly it will put out 1 litre. (amount that comes out goes back in), so no top ups or anything and no worry for damages to your bands/clutches like others posted.
If you wanna do the same thing buy 8 litres of ATF from Nissan and take out the trans pan drain plug and drain it then put back 4 litres and recheck the dipstick. Our pan takes 4 litres, Then start it let it run a bit and drain again and add another 4. This is what i would do if it were my car.

 

just do it.... if it is going to blow up...well it is going to happen no matter what

 

I service mine every summer and my 98 just hit 200K. It shifts like a champ, Mobil1 all the way. Just drain, replace the filter, clean the magnets, replace the pan gasket and then refill. But back before I learned how to do all this kind of stuff on my own, I contacted a couple of different shops, and they were like, "you have too many miles to even mess with that. We won't touch it." That was back when I had 90K. So I think those guys who say that are full of crap. Drain and fill it yourself, don't even bother paying some dealer/shop to do it. It's not much harder than changing your oil. I hate dealerships and would never even let them touch any of my cars for any reason.

 

i just changed my fluid last night. Took the pan down and cleaaned it and the magnets. My father has a flush machine but didnt do it as no time to. The filter was gorgeous and had no signs of debris or anything. cleaned the valve body and filter with carb clean and let it dry. put the pan and new gasket on and i can tell a difference. its not huge but it doesnt lag between shifts like it did before the change. you really dont need to do a flush you can drain and fill, drive for 5000 miles and drain and refill and you should be good. my fluid wasnt dirty per say but not clean either. for 15 bucks for a gasket not a bad investment. oh also i agree... a flush could dislodge some junk that may be in the tranny and a symptom may arise that hadnt before. They make these cars more for comfort and slightly performance so the tranny wont shift out of the factory like say a th350 in a chevy that has a shift kit. my camaro has a shift kit and lays rubber into 2nd and chirps third. the shifts hit hard and im not looking for comfort. when a factory tranny shifts theres that slight delay. that creates heat, slippage and worn clutch pacts and wears parts quicker which is why there are more particles and junk in the pan