How to: Flush your ATX fluid and change your internal filter

[da507hotboy]

Awesome write up iim goin to use this in a couple days !!

[JoshAnker]

Yay for people posting to say thanks

Makes me feel better about taking the time to rush through and post it, since you can tell it's a little disjointed up top

Even if only 1 or 2 people uses it, it was worth it!

[Mitsugirl3kgt]

Would you feel better if you wrote it so well that even a girl with little mechanical aptitude would do this?

Originally Posted by JoshAnker

Yay for people posting to say thanks

Makes me feel better about taking the time to rush through and post it, since you can tell it's a little disjointed up top

Even if only 1 or 2 people uses it, it was worth it!

[JoshAnker]

Originally Posted by xSabrielx

Would you feel better if you wrote it so well that even a girl with little mechanical aptitude would do this?

If it's one as attractive as you: YES

Really, I have very little mechanical ability myself, which is why I put in that bit about it being about as easy/hard as an oil change... The whole "internal filter" thing can be very intimidating, and "Dropping your tranny pan" sounds like a big job... And hey, let's face it, the transmission is important, and shouldn't be messed with lightly... all that aside, though, it's not a very hard job

[Mitsugirl3kgt]

aww thanks!! and again congrats on the great write-up.

Originally Posted by JoshAnker

If it's one as attractive as you: YES

Really, I have very little mechanical ability myself, which is why I put in that bit about it being about as easy/hard as an oil change... The whole "internal filter" thing can be very intimidating, and "Dropping your tranny pan" sounds like a big job... And hey, let's face it, the transmission is important, and shouldn't be messed with lightly... all that aside, though, it's not a very hard job

[little_red_drag]

thanks for the write up so when i go to change mine i know now what to do,good one!

[sanyamo]

I checked the tranny fluid a couple of days ago and it was low (low) and it looked...lets say it didn't look red/pink. Someone said that adding new fluid would be bad. Also I read somewhere that you can only change about half of the total capacity. So what should I do??? Sounds like droping the pan and changing the filter is a must but what about that other half of the fluid?

[JoshAnker]

Add some until you can do a flush.

The "you can only change half the capacity" is because the torque converter stays full. There are shops that will actually change that, too, but they cost money. Your best bet is to add fluid to bring up to the full mark(Provided you're using the correct method for checking the level) and then just doing a fluid change when you have time. Even though you'll only be changing half(A bit more than half) you'll be able to clean the pan, those three magnets, and most of the crud that causes problems sinks to the bottom of the pan, or sticks to the magnets anyway.

[houdini]

Just so no-one gets confused Josh performed a fluid change, not a "flush".

A flush consists of hooking it up to a machine that circulates for about 15-25 minutes. A flush cleans all system including the torque converter. I think the local qwickie oil change place charged me like 180 bucks to do this, changed the fluid, and they changed my internal filter, regular motor oil change, oil filter included. I'd really recommend doing a full system flush, if you have ever seen the inside of a auto trans (channels/ports/and alot of them) you'd understand the good that can come of a machine flush. Tho any maintenance is better than none on a ATX.

Good job josh, why where did you get all this wisdom on autotrans fluid changes?

For those of you that read this post I can't stress the importance of changing your fluid, if it still has the stock fluid from the factory your just asking for eventual failure, mostly if you high mile and its 14 years old. If your planning to do a shift kit/valve body upgrade besure to change the filter since your already in the area.

[litljenarey]

Is yours DOHC??

Mine was sooo much easier. I didn't have to take off the wheel (but I had already, so it helped. But then I had to do it again....don't ask...but the second time, I didn't)
I also didn't have to take off any guards.

I wanted to add a few things:
Even though you need to warm it up to check the level, let it sit for a long time before trying to take off the pan.
The drain plug is a 17, a wrench works easier than a socket.
All the pan bolts are 10mm, but my filter bolts were a 12mm and the replacement bolts were a 10mm. So, keep some extra sockets handy.
it REALLY helps to have a long funnel and it's nearly impossible to fill it up without any funnel.
Mine took exactly 5 and 1/2 quarts of fluid.

Anyone who's thinking about this. It requires the same skill level as an oil change. *I* thought it was easier than changing my oil, because I can never get the damn oil filter off by myself.