Transmission Fluid flush???
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Joined
·
2,717 Posts
I'm going to say never.
Someone I know that is an engineer at GM powertrain group told me that is worst thing in the world to do. You get whatever trash the last guy had in his trans flushed into yours. The machine they use is not fool proof. It can run backwards and normally poorly maintained.
He suggested merely draining and refilling.
Sometimes there may be a filter to change.
So we brought up a total fluid change and devised a system much like a flush but with our own clean machine.
We take a 5 gallon bucket and a pal, take one line off the radiator (Trans line) And put a nipple with a hose into the radiator where it was taken from, Put both ends into a plastic bag and start engine for a second, The hose that pukes the fluid is the exit. With that determined you take that hose and put it into a suitable container, (I used a suitable sized box lined with two 55 gallon garbage bags) Now, ya take the other hose, that draws and you put it into the (Cleaned squeaky clean) 5 Gallon bucket. Have the remainder of the capacity of fluid standing by to toss into that bucket, this going to happen fast! Start the engine, dirty used fluid pours into the trash bag! Clean virgin fluid gets sucked up out of the Bucket! Keep that hose drawing clean fluid up to and a little over the capacity. When you ran say 13 quarts into a trans that takes 12, You have just completely changed the Trans Fluid totally, Lines, Pumps, pan, converter and all. Just like a flush machine without the metal particles from they last guy who was there because he had problems anyways.
Now you replace the lines to the radiator, start it up and check level, and for leaks.
Then take it for a ride and re check.
Now, Heat is your major cause of problem on a Trans and what trashes the fluid. We have a very up to date special trans fluid. I know it is more durable than 30K I'm not even going to jack with mine until at least 75K.
Whatever you want to do, use the Nissan Fluid as it is something so special no one even has it aftermarket yet. It has to be synthetic and that would make it very durable and resistant to heat damage.
Check on the filter, it may be easy to service when changing the fluid.
1st Time I changed mine on a Caddy was like 150K and everything was fine, fluid and filters. So personally, I think it's too soon to worry about it. maybe just check the level. MC
Someone I know that is an engineer at GM powertrain group told me that is worst thing in the world to do. You get whatever trash the last guy had in his trans flushed into yours. The machine they use is not fool proof. It can run backwards and normally poorly maintained.
He suggested merely draining and refilling.
Sometimes there may be a filter to change.
So we brought up a total fluid change and devised a system much like a flush but with our own clean machine.
We take a 5 gallon bucket and a pal, take one line off the radiator (Trans line) And put a nipple with a hose into the radiator where it was taken from, Put both ends into a plastic bag and start engine for a second, The hose that pukes the fluid is the exit. With that determined you take that hose and put it into a suitable container, (I used a suitable sized box lined with two 55 gallon garbage bags) Now, ya take the other hose, that draws and you put it into the (Cleaned squeaky clean) 5 Gallon bucket. Have the remainder of the capacity of fluid standing by to toss into that bucket, this going to happen fast! Start the engine, dirty used fluid pours into the trash bag! Clean virgin fluid gets sucked up out of the Bucket! Keep that hose drawing clean fluid up to and a little over the capacity. When you ran say 13 quarts into a trans that takes 12, You have just completely changed the Trans Fluid totally, Lines, Pumps, pan, converter and all. Just like a flush machine without the metal particles from they last guy who was there because he had problems anyways.
Now you replace the lines to the radiator, start it up and check level, and for leaks.
Then take it for a ride and re check.
Now, Heat is your major cause of problem on a Trans and what trashes the fluid. We have a very up to date special trans fluid. I know it is more durable than 30K I'm not even going to jack with mine until at least 75K.
Whatever you want to do, use the Nissan Fluid as it is something so special no one even has it aftermarket yet. It has to be synthetic and that would make it very durable and resistant to heat damage.
Check on the filter, it may be easy to service when changing the fluid.
1st Time I changed mine on a Caddy was like 150K and everything was fine, fluid and filters. So personally, I think it's too soon to worry about it. maybe just check the level. MC
Another thing I've noticed is that you're supposed to use "only" the Nissan tranny fluid. I typically run Amsoil in everyting I own. I asked them about this and they said they can't offer me anything to run in my Nissan. Hmmm..... What is so special about this Nissan tranny fluid?
EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see your last paragraph. Reading to fast!
EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see your last paragraph. Reading to fast!
I checked the "Periodic Maintenance" section of the service manual. You check your tranny fluid every 15K miles. No change of fluid through 60K miles. I think I read somewhere that the tranny fluid on the automatics is good up to 100K.
I wouldn't flush it.
If you have to add fluid, ONLY use the Nissan ATF fluid.
I wouldn't flush it.
If you have to add fluid, ONLY use the Nissan ATF fluid.
I keep reading how Nissan has special tranny fluid that "must be used" and how anyhting else will damage the trans, yet in the Factory Service Manual, it say Nissan fluid or DexronIII with Mercon. hmmm.
I can see how if you are just doing a drain and refill you would want to stick with what is already in there (the Nissan fluid) but if you are doing a full flush, you should be able to use the DexonIII with Mercon.
I can see how if you are just doing a drain and refill you would want to stick with what is already in there (the Nissan fluid) but if you are doing a full flush, you should be able to use the DexonIII with Mercon.
I am looking at the service manual. In the "Recommended Fluids and Lubricants" section MA-11, next to the row for "Automatic Transmission Fluid" there is a reference to a *2 footnote.
The *2 footnote reads:
*8: DEXRONTM III, MERCONTM or equivalent may also be used. Outside the continental United States and Alaska contact a NISSAN dealership for more information regarding suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of DEXRONTM III or MERCONTM Automatic Transmission Fluid. is for the transfer case fluid.
Also, the service manual covers both "drain and fill" and flushing.
The *2 footnote reads:
The footnote *3: For Canada, NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), DEXRONTM III or MERCONTM or equivalent ATF may also be used. is for power steering fluid.
*8: DEXRONTM III, MERCONTM or equivalent may also be used. Outside the continental United States and Alaska contact a NISSAN dealership for more information regarding suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of DEXRONTM III or MERCONTM Automatic Transmission Fluid. is for the transfer case fluid.
Also, the service manual covers both "drain and fill" and flushing.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
