Ok, so today I went to my two local mechanics to ask about doing a tranny flush. One said that they dont do tranny flushes for maxima's but can replace the fluid for $75. The other mechanic said that there is no reason to do a tranny flush and my maxima has 68,898 miles. They can replace the tranny fluid for $70, no flush. Can someone enlighten me some more on comparing a flush to replacing the fluid ? I also asked the second mechanic how much to replace all fluids, and he said $120. does that seem right ?
Thanks
So far I have replaced on my own:
fuel filter
air filter
pcv valve
cleaned IACV and throttle body

Would you guys recommend I tackle this on my own ?

 

I recommend you get another opinion. At coming up to 70K I would be inclined to do a tranny flush, rather than a drain and fill. However, I own a 5-speed and don't profess to be too knowledgeable about automatics.

When was the last time the radiator was flushed and coolant replaced? That should have been done twice my now.

 

My dad bought the maxima from the dealer like 2 or 3 years ago. I know my dad did not do any maintanance. When we bought it, it had about 58,xxx miles. I was younger than now at the time my dad purchased the maxima used, and i did not show any interest in questions about maintanence, and my dad does not know either. He cant remember what the dealer said...

 

Take the car to a radiator shop and get them to do a pH test on the coolant. This involves putting a strip of paper in the rad and checking the color. I suspect the rad has been flushed once before but should likely be done again before winter.

As I said before, get another opinion on the transmission.

 

does a pH test cost anything ? (if you know) should it be free ?

 

Just make like you're going to get the work done at the shop eventually if they ask. There should be no charge for this and it only takes seconds: take off radiator cap, insert paper, compare color of paper to pH chart, put radiator cap back on. End of story.

 

You can do a pH test yourself, PepBoys or Autozone sell kits for doing this.

As for the tranny fluid flush, many mechanics say not to change the fluid if you're not experiencing any problems. I replaced mine at 84k w/ Redline MT-90 (I have 5spd) and now have slight leakage. It's nothing serious but if you intend to use synthetic fluid at such mileage expect that the tranny seals may not be able to handle the fluid and develop slight leaks.

 

You can also AutoRX treat the transmission, which may help stop any potential leakage problems.

Why buy a pH test kit if the rad shop will do it for free?

 

At 68k, you may or may not have leaks. I have about 65k, no engine leak and my trans isn't leaking either. I get smoothe shifts. I don't know about the trans SEALS rumor. If the fluid ages and wears itself out, it won't protect the TRANS. I don't see why you shouldn't touch a 'lubricant'. As with all lubricants, fluids, you do need to change flush to restore new 'lubricating' properties.

Regardless, you should do a FLUID drain/flush/refill on any car you buy IMHO. You never know what is or if any maintenance was done.

A flush, is like they use this vaccum type of thing to suck out all the crap. I think a regualr changing of ATF is easy enough for you. This is a job you can do yourself, much like an oil change. Terms of cars can sometimes be used interchangeably. I don't flush mines, but I drain/refill twice per session I am doing changing transfluid that is.

1) Park at flat land, measure level of fluid
2) Drain in pan
3) Refill ATF fluid SLOWLY, you don't want to put to much or too little
4) Drive for 1 week or so, main thing is to get it at operating temp *make sure u run thruogh all gears, d1, n, R, p, etc..
5) Repeat, DRAIN/REFILL.
6) dispose appropriately

7have a beer

You should be good to go and notcie smoother shifts. Check for leaks and watch the AT level just incase you may have too little or too much.



WITH RADIATOR

You might as well flush/drain/refill. Don't even worry bought going to shop or PH testing. Just change it, you'll be glad and happy you did.
Same method and idea.
1-drain
2-fill with distilled water
3-run operating temp
4-drain distilled water
5-add in coolant/water mixture. etc etc.

Though this is debateable by many about the exact amounts of coolant/water ratio, it works and I've been doing it ever since. No overheat no nothing..

 

how do I know if it is necessaryto do a flush or a drain and refill ? would a drain and refill be enough for my 68,898 mile baby with no shifting problems ?

 

Perhaps you should just do a drain and fill. But I would definitely do a flush at 100K. Automatic owners - chime in, when did you do your first tranny flush?

 

imho i think it will be okay because again, ur replacing fluids that are supposed to LUBRICATE with fresh fluids of that property..

people drop the pan, go through extensive procedures to clean and etc for the sake, similar to 'flushing'. the reason is, they want to rid particles, etc etc in the trans system.

the manual should tell u when u should do a REPLACING OF FLUIDS. i have never heard of anyone or anything about not needing to replace a lubricant, ur just asking for trouble.. but i dont' know...just a bit logic??

i changed the ATF on my honda and I COULD TELL THE DIFFERENCE, so its BS to say it won't matter. when u do drive shafts and etc. atf does leak out, so its inevitable u add back in, in those situations as well...

keep that in mind always, lubricants are there for a reason.. keep it fresh, clean and ur trans will shift smoothe. if u wait till ur trans slips, etc etc. then ur screwed too late.

just replace the FLUID... i have always did the method I suggested and my trans shifts smoothe, my honda 83k (15 year old car) my maxima 65k (gonna do the atf) soon.

good luck..

 

do you guys think I should mount a tranny cooler while im at it ? What do you guys think about a tranny cooler? (I know it would do more good than bad) hehe.. Is it worth that ~$50 ?

 

I now own a Max with a manual trannie. What I'm telling you is based on what I've learned about automatic trannies in the past. It is also one of the reasons I bought a manual this time -- automatics seem to have more problems.

- It is difficult to get all of the trans fluid out of an automatic. Most mechanics don't want to bother with the extra work.

- So they do a drain and refill which replaces between 1/3 and 1/2 of the fluid. The remainder of the fluid is still the old stuff that was there before.

- I have a mechanic friend who drains his own automatic and in the process gets most of the fluid out by removing the trannie pan and then disconnecting a hose and briefly running the engine to pump most of the remaining fluid out after first emptying the pan. I don't know more than that about this procedure. You don't want to run the engine very long without any fluid in the trannie.

- I've heard about systems that are supposed to flush the trannie. I believe this is done by pushing out the old fluid with new fluid. But again, I don't know for certain.

 

Thanks, this was very helpful to me.
Now, does anyone have anything to POST #13 ??
Thanks

 

Most automtic trannie coolers that I'm familiar with are used to keep the fluid cooler when pulling a trailer. Not certain you need one if you are not doing that. It certainly won't hurt (if it doesn't leak), but will require more trannie fluid to fill the complete system. I'd be inclined to save the $50 for something else for you Max.

 

Exactly.. I mean do the ATF before taking bigger steps. Yes manual trans seem to be easier to fix, but imho, if you take care of your auto trans it shouldn't slip or give you probs.

$50 is a good investement in good ATF. Which I will either get AMSOIL or MOBIL 1. I heard mobil 1 sucked after about 10k of driving, but I don't know. I'm not even sure what I have.

GOOD LUCK man..

 

goldtooth, I think changing the atf on a Nissan is a piece of cake, but then I've done it a few times. A drain and refill is perfectly fine. It's as easy as changing the oil. In fact, some people do it every other oil fill, or every 15,000 miles. Those are good habits. I'd suggest you do this at the very least.

Now if you want to do a more complete flush at one time and try to remove closer to 100% of the fluid, here are some DIY links that basically show how. A few even have photos that illustration location of return lines and the like. Given the other things you say you've done, this ought to be within your capabilities.

This link has a basic step by step explanation. http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...98&postcount=2

So does this one:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=410684

Here is a link with photos that locate ATF return lines:
http://www.greghome.com/Greg's%20Garage/1999%20Nissan%20Maxima%20SE/Xmission%20Cooler.htm

Here is a link where a dude showed how he did his Maxima tranny fluid change: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/335521/3

The Sticky has an excellent post about changing ATF fluid too. Study them and you'll be an expert. Try it. It's fun.

PS. I think a tranny cooler is a waste unless you tow.

 

Ok, so Ive read enough that I am confident to even drop the pan. But I have a few more questions. First, do I just unscrew the screw in the middle of the pan, and let everything flow out ? (How much should flow out??)Apply screw back on, then refill.

Now, whats with the disconnecting of the return line and starting the car, and pumping out 2 Qts. and refilling with 2 Qts. ??

Which is a more efficient or better way to clean out the old fluid and put in the new, fresh fluid ??
Thanks

 

I will try to answer your questions:

"First, do I just unscrew the screw in the middle of the pan, and let everything flow out ? (How much should flow out??)Apply screw back on, then refill."
This is a drain and refill and will replace between 1/2 and 1/3 or so of the fluid in the trans.

"Now, whats with the disconnecting of the return line and starting the car, and pumping out 2 Qts. and refilling with 2 Qts. ??"
For this procedure you need to do the above and then drop the trannie pan before disconnecting the return line and starting the car. This procedure will replace most of your trannie fluid. But be careful not to run the engine (to pump out the fluid) too long or you will burn up the trannie. You need someone watching to see when fluid stops flowing out of the line so the engine can immediately be turned off.

"Which is a more efficient or better way to clean out the old fluid and put in the new, fresh fluid ??"
The drain and refill is cheaper, but does not replace all of the old fluid. Dropping the pan takes more work. Many mechanics will drop the pan to collect any debris there and clean any filter that might be there -- very few will do the pump it out step. Whether you do it or a mechanic, the second (drop the pan) and third (pump out the fluid) will cost you more. At a minimum you need a new pan gasket and added fluid.

 

If you lived closer I would come stop by your house and give you a hug. lol

Now before I make my final arragements in this project, the transmission fluid dip stick that I pulled out and tapped on a white notecard, the color of it was a dark dark red or light brown. Should I worry about the tranny going? is there still time to replace fluid without major problems?
Which fluid am I looking to purchase ?
Thanks

 

I lived in the Chicago area for over 35 years before retiring from Amoco in 98. We came here for the weather and fewer people.

So I don't repeat myself on this topic, see all of the posts that I made on this thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....10#post4233510

On that thread I told the owner of a 97 that he might be better off with dino fluid. Read the reasons on that thread. You might consider that too. If you do decide to go that way, you probably should buy the Nissan fluid.

When I had an auto trannie, I always worried about it going bad -- and a few times they did. But I did not have a Nissan for any of them. Now I have the 6-speed and love the trannie -- a gear for every occasion.

There is no guarantee that you will not have problems with your auto trannie. The fluid you describe does not sound like it has been "burned" -- but without a lab test, there is no way to be certain about it -- color alone only covers burning (from heat). But you will be safer replacing the fluid, at least as frequently as recommended in the owners manual.

 

for the drain and refill, how much Qts. or whatever am I looking to buy ?(no dropping of pan)
How much is in there to begin with ? From what Ive read there is about 12 Qts. should be enough for the "flush"(with the dropping of the pan)

 

The answer should be in your 99 owners manual. I don't have an owners manual for a 99, so can't be certain how much you will need and how much the entire trannie holds. If you don't have one, I hope someone else with that info can answer you.

 

The Haynes manual doesn't even show a capacity figure for automatic transmissions. It states "the best way to determine the amount of fluid to add during a routine fluid change is to measure the amount drained."

 

ok, thanks a lot guys.