Hey,
I think I got ripped off- not sure. Anyhow, I had a "transmission tune up" done for about 50 bucks at my oil place when i switched to synthetic about 3 weeks ago. The ATF on the dipstick when put onto a piece of white paper was brownish black, and the guy told me it needs to be redish pink. So, I said do the tune up. This tune up included a new filter/pan and he just drained the pan. Now I read about the flush where there is alot more ATF in the tranny and torque converter, so basically all it did was semi clean the tranny fluid cause now all the new fluid mixed with the old fluid creating some "okay" fluid. The car has 38k on it. Should I wait till 60 and get the flush? He had a machine, whcih i thought he was going to use, but he said that he did ntohave a hook up to do a maxima with it. What gives? I must say however, that my 1-2 shifts are waaaay smoother just with this "tune-up" But should I get a flush at 60k when I just did a drain and fill? at 38k(Thats what he told me was done drain and fill) I saw what came out of the pan- about 4 quarts or so and MAN did it smell! Thanks, and sorry if the post is a little all over the place.

 

I guess a flush is good to get all the gunk and any metallic shavings out, but I haven't one done to my car. I just empty the AT fluid, put in about 5 quarts of Mobil 1 ATF and repeat the process every six months. Been doing this for about three years and my ATF always smells and looks new. Also the shifting is effortless. I do this myself which saves me the extra expense of taking it somewhere. Just my two cents.

Pedro

 

Yes there is a lot more then just 4 qts up in the tranny. If he dropped the pan and cleaned up the magnets, new gasket and refill for $50 including parts & labor, you did ok.

One or two more drain and refills over the next 6 months will give you even cleaner fluid in the tranny. You can easily do them yourself.

 

Bro - you can do the fluch and fill yourself. I lost the thread, but did it myself by first draining the fluid, pulling the pan and replacing the filter, gasket and cleaning the pan and magnets. Reassemble and refill with fluid.
Now if I remember correctly, you need to disconnect the return line off of the top of the transmission and put it into a large bottle.
Have someone start the car and you watch the fluid pump out.

STOP the car after about a quart or so. Fill the transmission back up and repeat this process until the fluid comes out nice and clear/clean.

You may waste a couple of quarts of fluid, but is sure beats the beating you take at a service center.

Don't forget to reattach the return hose to the transmission. Drive the car a few miles and recheck the level again and look for leaks.

It took me about an hour and a half for the entire procedure.

About $15 for the filter and gasket and about $25 for fluid. I added an auxilary cooler at the same time. Another $35 bucks. Cheap insurance.

 

Thanks all

 

Here is one of the threads re: tranny flush...that will give you lots of good how-to info:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....mission+cooler