I've got a '92 GM 3800 with 175k miles on it. I don't think the transmission fluid has ever been changed. I'm about to take a trip with it, and was wondering if I should swap in some fresh fluid?
There is so much debate, with some saying this will ruin the transmission, and others saying it won't. I'm not talking about a full flush, I would just use a siphon and pull out some of the old fluid, and replace with new.
I worry about the old fluid being able to handle the heat and stress of the 8 hour trip.
Thanks.
Safe to change transmission fluid on high miles vehicle?
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J Wikoff
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Re: Safe to change transmission fluid on high miles vehicle?
What I would do is drop the pan, let whatever will drain, drain, and put in a new filter. Clean the pan and magnet while it's off.
There might be proof out there why a flush can kill a tranny. But it's mostly a disturbing trend where high mile trannys die soon after a flush. Knocking stuff loose, removing gunk that was holding things in place, etc...
There might be proof out there why a flush can kill a tranny. But it's mostly a disturbing trend where high mile trannys die soon after a flush. Knocking stuff loose, removing gunk that was holding things in place, etc...
WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
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zuper8
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Re: Safe to change transmission fluid on high miles vehicle?
Wikoff is right, and if you are still a little worried, buy a bottle of lucas trans fix. it's really thick and many here have had great results with it in high mileage transmissions, including those that were poorly maintained.
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bill buttermore
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Re: Safe to change transmission fluid on high miles vehicle?
The procedure for dropping the pan, changing the filter and replacing about half the fluid is described here in a Techinfo article.
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RJolly87
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Re: Safe to change transmission fluid on high miles vehicle?
I have come to the conclusion that if the flush kills it, it was bound to happen soon anyway, and was only being held together by the crap you just flushed out. With that being said, I just had a pan drop and filter change on mine, and it still seems to be happy.
~Randall~
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1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place
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J Wikoff
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Re: Safe to change transmission fluid on high miles vehicle?
Well, there's no reason to spend the extra money just to speed up the failure.
WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
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LeSabre in Buffalo
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Re: Safe to change transmission fluid on high miles vehicle?
Pan drop, filter change, and new high-mileage ATF fluid. Castrol High Mileage is extremely thick fluid, and is on sale at Pep Boys right now...
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1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car
Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.
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imidazol97
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Re: Safe to change transmission fluid on high miles vehicle?
What color is the fluid now? Pink? Clear. Brown but clear? Brown and cloudy?zirconx wrote:I've got a '92 GM 3800 with 175k miles on it. I worry about the old fluid being able to handle the heat and stress of the 8 hour trip.
Since that had Dexron II or Dexron II E or Dexron III as the original fluid, I 'd be careful to buy replacement fluid that was the most like the original. I would not put in the Dexron VI, even if it's listed as acceptable.
If it's clear or brown, my own opinion would be drop pan, replace filter, and put in the 6-7 quarts of Dexron III. The fresh detergent in the new fluid will start to pick up any deposits. I would not add any additives. Let the detergents do their job, slowly, hoping not to cause any particles to come loose, if there are any.