[ponchonutty]

Looking to do a tranny service on my Outlook. I was wondering if I could just pop a hose off the tranny cooling line, start it, and let it pump the old tranny fluid out into a jug? This is the way I flushed the tranny on my '01 Silverado. From what I've read draining it only lets out about 5 of the 9.5 qt. the system holds. Anyone else do it like this? Suppose I could get a dealer to use their vacuum system but rather do it myself if possible.

 

[medicrxdoc]

Not on my Acadia, but did on other vehicles.

If you drain the tranny first (we have a drain plug from what I read), refill with fresh, and then do what you propose you will get some mixing, but mostly be fresh.

 

[medicrxdoc]

Since we don't have a servicable internal tranny filter, did you consider installing an inline Magnefine filter?

 

[ponchonutty]

I'm not worried about the filter. I'm asking about getting as much of the old fluid out as possible. Like I stated before on my truck I popped off a line and started the truck and let it pump itself dry then refilled. I was at the dealer yesterday and got on their computer to read the technique to service the tranny. It says just to drain it then fill it with 4.2-6.7qt. of fluid. Doing that will only get 50-60% of the old fluid out.

 

[jsimms]

IIRC; a dealer has one of those machines that they hook up and they pump out the fluid; then they have another fluid they shoot through to clean the filter and then reservice with fresh fluid. My question is; how much of the old fluid do they remove?

 

[ponchonutty]

Well this morning I went around to my dealers with dozens of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. This made it worth while to poke around with the techs at the local GM dealer. They let me play with their computer to see what it said. It did state they infact do run this transfer machine via the cooler lines. It didn't say anything about a "flushing" agent but that they have to run the system in reverse for a while. Then they have to run it in forward for a while before they are done. It also said they don't always have to run it in reverse too. Looks to me that popping the top hose off the radiator cooling/tranny line will get my desired results. They too felt what I was planning to do should be OK. Also stated that there isn't a need to replace the filter unless there is something severely wrong with the tranny. Under normal conditions the filter should last the life of the tranny.

 

[Wingmn]

Catch more flies with honey (er, doughnuts) than vinegar huh? Thanks for posting what you found out for the rest of us! :cheers: Much appreciated.

 

[BigTallV]

Just goes to show you that if you're 'friendly', you'll likely get what you're looking for. Donuts help grease the skids for sure.

Sounds like you've got yourself a decent dealership to work with.

 

[texas_19delta]

word of caution draining the trans is fine on vehicles and if you search manufactures guide lines not dealership you will notice that there is no mention of recommended flushing. i am in the industry and flushing was invented by the company that made the machine and the dealer to make money. when you flush the system you remove what is call clutch dust. normaly this dust which is magnetic material acts as a protector and helps reduce components wear. when its removed it makes the transmission work harder. and clean fresh atf will clean the system out more and causes the internal clutches to to slip like running on ice there is no traction. another side note is when you drain your trans not all of the fluid is removed. the torque converter has fluid also and will mix around with the new fluid. with the advances in fluids syntheyic fluid has a longer life and gm change for normal service is about 100,000 or longer. personaly i drain my wifes every year or 16,000 miles and add the 4-7 quarts. but if you want to flush it be carefull some warantties might be voided.