Draining Trans of all fluid? How?

[longyard]

Does the torque converter in my 2001 4L60 have a drain plug? If not, what is the best way to completely drain my transmission? I want to upgrade the fluid to Mobil 1? Thoughts?

[RECox286]

Easiest way I know to do a complete drain and refill is to go where they have a machine that will do the job. Not messy for you and usually ( with the fluid) only runs around $100.
How many miles are on the tranny ? There are two thoughts: 1) do the job at recommended intervals and 2) if you haven't changed out the fluid in a long time, do not change it at all.
Since ATF is highly detergent, the thought is that if you introduce new fluid to an old system, the dirt that will be dislodged will kill the tranny. Take your choice/chance.

Bob

[longyard]

Easiest way I know to do a complete drain and refill is to go where they have a machine that will do the job. Not messy for you and usually ( with the fluid) only runs around $100.
How many miles are on the tranny ? There are two thoughts: 1) do the job at recommended intervals and 2) if you haven't changed out the fluid in a long time, do not change it at all.
Since ATF is highly detergent, the thought is that if you introduce new fluid to an old system, the dirt that will be dislodged will kill the tranny. Take your choice/chance.

Bob

Tranny has 130k on it. I believe it was well maintained because it was part of a government fleet. So what do you think? Rebuild... keep using same fluid... or...?

[a2l1]

Bob is right. If your tranny hasnt had regular service/changes then your best bet is to leave well enough alone. Changing fluid with the filter under normal changing cycles keeps the tranny clean and free of deposits -- but if hasnt been changed and you go and do a complete fluid change not just the filter and pan you are really rolling the dice. The new fluid will "clean' all the deposits and you will have extra clearances where there werent any and that leads to rapid trans failure.
On the other hand if it has been serviced regularly no problem but in order to do a complete change you would have to have a shop power change the fluid. I dont have a manual to cover your year so I cant say if there is a drain on the torque converter or not, by letting a shop power out the fluids the converter plug becomes a non issue. They will force all the old fluids out under pressure and then install the new but going to synthetic may have an added charge not only for the cost of the new fluid but because there is and intermediate flush to prepare for the synthetic. This is what I am told anyway. I just do the filter and pan myself.
Not really much help huh, especially if you were planning on doing it yourself. Hopefully someone with the proper manual or knowledge will reply and set things straight.

[RECox286]

Where as the old Torqueflight trannys did have a drain plug in the stock converter, GM has made no such provision. This is why I suggested to seek out a power flush and fill. 130,000 mi is not all that many, but, I think I would stick to filter and top off at this point, if it were mine. I believe that Chevy recommends 50,000 mi intervals.

Bob

[paintdrying]

I installed a drain plug in mine. once I got the fluid looking clean I drained and refill. About four quarts comes out when you drop the pan and change the filter. I changed my fluid and filter around four times, waiting a few days in between before I put the drain plug in. I was reading a post on here where Phantom said to upgrade to a V or something. maybe he will chime in?
If I had the money to replace this van then I would consider a flush, I just think it can be a chance i can not afford to take at this time.

[longyard]

I've gotten in the habit of installing a remote spin-on oil filter on my AT vehicles. It makes oil/filter changing a breeze and the extra capacity also serves as a cooler. I mount the spin on filter just behind the grill. I intend to do the same this with my 2001 Safari. For those of you who are considering this, I used a simple Empi remote filter mount (about $20) and then a SATURN SL2 transmission oil filter (about $10). You can't use a normal engine oil filter because they cannot stand up to the high pressure generated by the auto trans.

[a2l1]

The remote filter is an excellent idea more volume and a mini cooler fantastic. --- I was thinking and I wonder if its possible to pump the tranny empty in the driveway. I dont know if it would do any damage though. If one was to disconnedt the connector at the radiatir cooling tank and stick a hose on it drop it in a big bucket, start the van pop it in gear -- wouldnt the tranny pump just pump the fluid into the bucket? But would it do any damage to the pump when it pumps itself very low or dry thats the question. Maybe one can remove say 90 percent of the fluid this way without any damage? Would have to check with a qualified transmission guy to be sure but it seems like a fast and easy way to empty the tranny. Just a thought.


A J

[RECox286]

The torque converter will be producing flow even if the tranny is not in gear, so you would only need to be runnning the engine to do what you suggest. I'm not sure about what chances you would be taking, as far as damage to the internals. I don't really think this is a good idea, and I would not recommend it.

Bob

[paintdrying]

The trans guy I talk to say never disconnect a line and start the car. Or the idea to drop the pan then start the car is another one I would not recommend

[a2l1]

Was just a thought. I occasionally have these brain farts.



A J

[longyard]

The remote filter is an excellent idea more volume and a mini cooler fantastic. --- I was thinking and I wonder if its possible to pump the tranny empty in the driveway. I dont know if it would do any damage though. If one was to disconnedt the connector at the radiatir cooling tank and stick a hose on it drop it in a big bucket, start the van pop it in gear -- wouldnt the tranny pump just pump the fluid into the bucket? But would it do any damage to the pump when it pumps itself very low or dry thats the question. Maybe one can remove say 90 percent of the fluid this way without any damage? Would have to check with a qualified transmission guy to be sure but it seems like a fast and easy way to empty the tranny. Just a thought.


A J

I've disconnected the lines to the remote filter and put the outflow line into a jug, and then hooked up a funnel to the "inflow" side, and cranked the engine. As the engine runs, I pour new fluid into the funnel. It takes a few minutes before all the fluid turn from brown to clear red, but it works.

[a2l1]

Well I'll be some farts are better than others. I could see how it should work but wasnt sure about the cause any damage part. Glad someone has done it and there is no apparent damage.

[Bread Van]

I know this is an old thread but I just did this same thing on my Volvo with great results.

Disconnect the outflow hose from the radiator and insert a hose that goes into a discard jug. Insert another hose into the filler (dipstick tube on the Volvo) and start the engine to pump old fluid out while adding new fluid. In this instance I was working alone and it worked best to pump out about 2 qts., shut off the engine, then add 2 qts. new fluid. Sure beats dropping a pan.

If you already have an external cooler or remote filter installed this procedure would be REALLY easy.

I'm planning on doing the same on the van soon. The one down side is not replacing the filter in the pan. The way I understand it, the pan filter is more of a screen than anything So, maybe I'll add an external filter for added protection.