Yes or No

[Mainer1]

Alright, I've asked this question to fellow car owners, as well as my mechanic,
and for the most part I get the same answer, although other say differently.

Transmission specialist, please speak up on this one.

I had my transmission rebuilt on my 99 Expy at ~ 100,000 miles or so,
It was a mess, but it was repaired, and all has been well.

My question is such, it's been 4-5 years since I had it repaired. Periodically I'll check the fluid level, it was pink in color, as time went on, and as the years & miles have been tacked on, the fluid is burned, and no longer pink, which is normal.

I see this, and think, OK, time to do a change, maybe even a partial. So I go about asking this question, should I change it out? For the most part I get a big NO, don't touch it, leave it alone, I'll cause more harm than good in doing so.

I don't understand this, why shouldn't it be change, common sense says, yes, change it, it's old, others say don't, new fluid will damage the seals, etc.. etc.. etc..

What do you guys say? keep it as is (burned up)? won't this in itself cause the transmission to fail? I'm a bit confused, I want to do the right thing, in prolonging the transmission life, I certainly do not want to shorten it by doing the wrong thing.

Thanks

 

[panda24619]

drain it. and get it filtered and put back in. or drain it out 100% dont do a flush. just drain and t/c drained. then put back a mixure of 75/25 old/new.

 

[rburch]

Gregg Evens who was a Ford Transmission Engineer and "The 4R100 Guru" recommends that you change your filter and fluid every 25-30,000 miles, and around 15-20,000 if you drive hard or are towing allot.

If you think about it you change your engine oil every 3000 miles. Why? Because it breaks down! Tranny fluid isnt any different! Tranny fluid contains friction modifiers and lubricants that break down over time. Change it!

 

[Canadian Expy]

Change it ...

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I am no expert, and this was explained to me by a friend that is a FORD guy. So take it for what you will. The reason that people say the transmission crapped out after a fluid change is because the act of flushing it causes pieces of the varnished fluid to break off and clog things up. Or because the friction surfaces are only working because they are varnished over. Also, if you change your fluid and it suddenly kills the transmission, it's not like you would have gotten another 100k miles otherwise. The damage has already been done.

That said, I drained the pan only and replaced with new. No ill effects, and I've got over 200k miles on mine.

 

[walnuts4x4]

I only drain and change filter.... wont do flushes.... nothing good happens... dad had his 07 grand cherokee flushed and had problems afterwards... not worth the gamble

 

[Mainer1]

The pan change makes a whole lot of sense....thanks for everyone's input

 

[BakerEdition]

if you have a new vehicle and change the fluid and filter every 25k you will never have a problem...

 

[CARO'S98EB]

I would change it. A "flush" is fine just make sure they do not use a cleaner first- just exchange the old for new mercon v. A pan drain and filter replacement is fine also just remember to drain the convertor also.