NEED ADVICE ON TRANNY!

[bonnie02rkt]

I need some advice on what i should do with my tranny. I got my 02 bonneville se used w/ 90,000 miles... currently i have 147,000 and i have never had the tranny serviced... i dont know if i should flush; or just do a filter and fluid change; or at that even mess with it at all. I get hard shifts every once in a while and i feel a small slip every so often... but i dont think its that bad. the color isnt blk; its a darker red. any info i would really appreciate. thanks guys!

[00Beast]

I'd drop the pan and change the filter, and add new fluid to replace what came out. Should be 7-8 quarts. As long as the fluid isn't burned smelling, you should be ok. When I bought my SSEi with 139k, the fluid was gray and burned smelling. It lasted another 5k miles, and gave up the ghost.

[bonnie02rkt]

so what do u think; if i do that it should be good to go or is there any thing else i should do. oh and what fluid would be the BEST to run!

[JBMark33]

I have 165K on my SE, and It's transmission has not been serviced since 80K. I have the same problem with it randomly shifting hard, although I have not had the tranny slip at all, yet. Tomorrow I am dropping the pan and replacing the filter and fluid.

Maybe that will be your first step? It will be mine.

[bonnie02rkt]

yup its on my to do list for sure! what is the best fluid to go with(what are you using)?

[JBMark33]

I have the filter with the gasket, but I am going to drive up to wal-mart and get the fluid tomorrow.

I was probably just going to get the cheap super tech fluid, but I don't know if I will.

If the prestone is only a little more, I might get that.

[Archon]

I'd throw a some of Sea Foam's Trans Tune in it a bit before the change, then drop the pan and change the filter. I prefer something like Valvoline, or other "name brand" fluid, even if it's a bit more expensive than the off-brand fluids. I can't say for sure that it makes a difference, but to me it is cheap insurance. Techinfo article is here.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 45&t=10193

[JBMark33]

I put almost a whole bottle of SeaFoam's TransTune about a month ago.

Alrighty, I'll look for a more reputable brand name. I will probably go to the local auto parts store rather than go to Wal-Mart.

[swampthing]

adding a qt of lucas transfix is always a good idea I just serviced mine and thats what i did

[sparky]

I added the Seafoam Trans Tune and drove it about 2000 miles hoping to cure the hard shift problem in my 2000 SSEi (135,000 miles). I didn't notice anything different with the whining noise and hard shift that would start after the transimision warmed up during the warmer weather. I took a chance and installed the Thrasher shift kit with the medium shift setting and of course changed the filter (comes with the kit) and tranny fluid. My pan had the metal reusable gasket so i didn't need a new gasket.
I put the shift kit in a couple of weeks ago and the car shifts like a dream, I have not had any reoccuring problems whats so ever. The heavier springs and spacers in the accumulator have evidently by-passed the PCS pressure control solenoid (sticking) problem.
Sparky

[bonnie02rkt]

so let me get this straight; i should run sea foam a while before i drop and change filter and fluid; then i should put (what type trans fluid would ultimatly be the best?); and then put lucas trans fix after all of that! int there a type 6 fluid or somthing that gm came out with that is supposed to be really good or somthing of that nature?

[swampthing]

i just used regular dexron III when i did mine because I'm intending to do it again in a few months (you are only changing roughly half the fluid) I Didn't do the seafoam but I did do the lucas.

[1fatcat]

Every mechanic I have ever known says, "A transmission that is well maintained will generally last longer". To me, that means either regular service or un-regular service.

REGULAR SERVICE
Change pan fluid every 50,000 miles, change filter every 100,000 miles.

UN-REGULAR SERVICE
Flush, fluid and filter change

[bonnie02rkt]

i heard the flush would screw the seals up if never messed with before with that many miles! I havnt messed with it cuz it alredy had so many miles and i didnt know all the options at the time. i just want to take the safest route cuz i dont have money to replace the tranny!

[01bonneSC]

If you just drop the pan and do the filter and refill, thats prob your best option. you are changing almost all the fluid with a pan drop. The only fluid left is in the TQ converter which is like 2.5 qts. Run seafoam first through a heat cycle, drop pan, clean clean clean the pan and magnet, make sure you put the magnet back in pan(DONT FORGET!) change gasket, tighten up, fill up, then use that lucas stuff if ya want, i dont.