[AT] Fluid flushing auto - OT

[charliehill]

I can't understand for the life of me why the automakers don't but drain 
plugs and external filter on automatic transmissions.  They pipe the fluid 
through a cooler, either inside of ahead of the radiator.  There is no 
reason they couldn't put a filter housing in the line.

Charlie Hill
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve W." <falcon at telenet.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 6:32 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Fluid flushing auto - OT


> carl gogol wrote:
>> Just looking for opinions on fluid flushing.  Had my Impala serviced
>> yesterday and the writer noted that it was approaching 30K miles and said
>> that the recommended procedure for the tranny was to flush between 30 - 
>> 60 K
>> miles.  This seemed normal to me and I told him I would do it sometime in
>> the future - I'm thinking about 50 K miles.  When I picked up the car he
>> also pushed me to have the brake fluid and powersteering fluids serviced 
>> at
>> the same time.  Is this normal - worth doing - or just another way to
>> generate cash for the dealer?  I have not seen this dealer push 
>> unnecessary
>> services before - just a newrt  car thing or a good idea to do anyway?
>> Carl Gogol - Manlius, NY
>> Tasty grazing in the Oran valley of Central NY
>> AC D14, 914H
>> JD 5320 MFWD
>> Kubota F-2400, B7300HST
>>
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>>
>
> Personally I don't like JUST flushing because you don't get out the crud
> that sticks in the filter AND you can't look at the magnet to see if you
> have any metal. I would rather drop the pan, clean it well, then install
> a new filter and then flush. This way you get to look for any metal, get
> a new filter and anything that is already out in the system went through
> the old filter first anyway.
>
> On brake fluid I like to change out mine every 3 years/30K miles. Brake
> fluid should be CLEAR or VERY light amber. Dark fluid or fluid with
> dusty looking powder in the bottom is contaminated with water/dirt/rust.
> Brake fluid is designed to absorb water and prevent it from pooling and
> causing trouble. BUT that moisture also creates rust in the system.
> Flushing also should include a GOOD brake inspection, looking for pad
> wear, sticking calipers, worn hoses, rusty lines, related damage.
> Being in lovely NY, just down the road from a MAJOR salt mine and
> knowing how NY is on the roads I consider the brake work more important
> than the trans flush!!!
>
> Power steering fluid on the other hand can wait till 50K without a 
> problem.
>
> HOWEVER I would probably go to a couple places and get prices then go
> back to the dealer and see if they will match or beat the lowest price...
>
> Also pull the recommended service intervals for that vehicle (post
> year,and engine and I can look those up if you like) Or just look at the
> OM...
>
> -- 
> Steve W.
>
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