Dealer tranny service

DryBones · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:55 am

which way to go? complete flush without filter change $270. Service with just pan drop and filter change and topping off fluids $180 or both for about $350???

Thinking of going AMSOIL and let the dealer do the work with the complete flush and filter using my oil. Comments?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:58 am

I just drop my pan and change the filter every 30k.

Its ok to flush the tranny on newer trannies but I cant do that at home and I do not trust anyone else to do work on it.

Rutdggr · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:10 pm

Doesn't the dealer hook your transmission up to a recycle machine to flush it? How will they get all of your old fluid out without contaminating your oil? I would think they would have to pull the torque converter too.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:25 pm

do you think you could do it yourself? and I would go ahead and change the oil and filters, but I would also recommend taking it somewhere else like some auto shop in town bc you can get it for a lot less

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:17 pm

Rutdggr wrote:

Doesn't the dealer hook your transmission up to a recycle machine to flush it? How will they get all of your old fluid out without contaminating your oil? I would think they would have to pull the torque converter too.

The tranny flush machine pushes fluid in while the tranny pump pushes the old fluid out(KJ is running) through one tranny cooler line.The 45RFE holds a total of 14qts,42RLE is about 12 qts and they will cycle about 18-22qts through to get all the old fluid out,even the TC(that's why is so much more $$$$,plus ATF+4 is more $$$).

Quote:

jsc7002

do you think you could do it yourself? and I would go ahead and change the oil and filters, but I would also recommend taking it somewhere else like some auto shop in town bc you can get it for a lot less

And take the chance of them not using the correct fluid?I'm not a big fan of dealers either but the one thing is you will get the right fluid and the right filters and then get a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty for parts and labor for the work done.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:36 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Rutdggr wrote:

Doesn't the dealer hook your transmission up to a recycle machine to flush it? How will they get all of your old fluid out without contaminating your oil? I would think they would have to pull the torque converter too.

The tranny flush machine pushes fluid in while the tranny pump pushes the old fluid out(KJ is running) through one tranny cooler line.The 45RFE holds a total of 14qts,42RLE is about 12 qts and they will cycle about 18-22qts through to get all the old fluid out,even the TC(that's why is so much more $$$$,plus ATF+4 is more $$$).

Quote:

jsc7002

do you think you could do it yourself? and I would go ahead and change the oil and filters, but I would also recommend taking it somewhere else like some auto shop in town bc you can get it for a lot less

And take the chance of them not using the correct fluid?I'm not a big fan of dealers either but the one thing is you will get the right fluid and the right filters and then get a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty for parts and labor for the work done.

ya thats true but usually if I have to take my KJ in to get worked on I will sit there and watch them so I know everything is done right, plus if/ when I have to take it in I usually pre-buy everything it needs like the fluid and filters saves me some money and I can use Syenthics and better filters

Rutdggr · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:11 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Rutdggr wrote:

Doesn't the dealer hook your transmission up to a recycle machine to flush it? How will they get all of your old fluid out without contaminating your oil? I would think they would have to pull the torque converter too.

The tranny flush machine pushes fluid in while the tranny pump pushes the old fluid out(KJ is running) through one tranny cooler line.The 45RFE holds a total of 14qts,42RLE is about 12 qts and they will cycle about 18-22qts through to get all the old fluid out,even the TC(that's why is so much more $$$$,plus ATF+4 is more $$$).
[quote]jsc7002

Reviewing my post, I should have worded it differently...

I understand they flush more fluid through the system to purge the old fluid, but they will still be flushing it with regular fluid. How are they going to flush his torque converter and system of regular tranny fluid and replace it with AMSOIL?

When I drop the pan of my automatics, I'm lucky to get 6 or 7 quarts of fluid out. Considering there is at least the same amount of fluid still in the system, it would seem to me that you would still have a mixture of 50% AMSOIL and 50% regular fluid after filling the system back up

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:24 pm

Some shops will allow you to fill the flush machine up w/ whatever fluid You want to use. Some won't. Find a shop that will let you supply the fluid and you are good to go.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:26 pm

Quote:

ya thats true but usually if I have to take my KJ in to get worked on I will sit there and watch them so I know everything is done right, plus if/ when I have to take it in I usually pre-buy everything it needs like the fluid and filters saves me some money and I can use Syenthics and better filters

ATF+4 is full synthectic.

Quote:

I understand they flush more fluid through the system to purge the old fluid, but they will still be flushing it with regular fluid. How are they going to flush his torque converter and system of regular tranny fluid and replace it with AMSOIL?

When I drop the pan of my automatics, I'm lucky to get 6 or 7 quarts of fluid out. Considering there is at least the same amount of fluid still in the system, it would seem to me that you would still have a mixture of 50% AMSOIL and 50% regular fluid after filling the system back up

Again ATF+4 is a full synthectic tranny fluid,that's why it cost so dang much.

DryBones · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:27 pm

OK,
So a complete filter change and flush using dealer provided oils and parts might be the right way to go? I have never had the tranny serviced and I bought the KJ used so I have no idea about its service history, that is why I am wanting to get the tranny up to date. maybe just a service with filter change is all I really need?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:31 pm

DryBones wrote:

OK,
So a complete filter change and flush using dealer provided oils and parts might be the right way to go? I have never had the tranny serviced and I bought the KJ used so I have no idea about its service history, that is why I am wanting to get the tranny up to date. maybe just a service with filter change is all I really need?

I do all my work on my KJ,but the tranny flush/filter change is the one thing I do go to a dealer for(hey a $4000 machine is out of the budget).It cost me $150-$240 every 15,000miles for my tranny service(flush--flush with filters).I know the right fluid is in,the right filters is in,and get a warrenty to boot also which in my mind is well worth the extra $$$.It's your choice though,just stating my 2 cents.

Rutdggr · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:51 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Again ATF+4 is a full synthectic tranny fluid,that's why it cost so dang much.

Thanks tjkj2002! I did not know that fluid was fully synthectic. I appreciate the tip and I'm impressed how much I have learned here over the last 3 days...

DryBones · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:16 pm

my local dealer is quoting me over $300 for a flush with filter. May go this route this time to get piece of mind knowing whats in there but just do the service with filter next time around.

Pote · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:53 pm

DryBones wrote:

my local dealer is quoting me over $300 for a flush with filter. May go this route this time to get piece of mind knowing whats in there but just do the service with filter next time around.

I just went through your same scenerio...how many miles on your kj?? I opted to have the pan dropped and changed the 2 filters and refilled with new synth. It runs great and I have peace of mind. these guys told me how flushing a high mileage transmission can be all bad...so thanks for the advice fellas. I too bought mine from a used lease (3 year deal) and it had 48K on it when I bought. I just did the transmission with 75K on it. next I'm doing the diffs with my next oil change and tire rotation. T-case probably too.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:52 pm

OR you could just do it all yourself and save a bundle:

http://www.partshp.com/FluidChange.htm

Good luck :wink:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:57 pm

hooperswish wrote:

OR you could just do it all yourself and save a bundle:

http://www.partshp.com/FluidChange.htm

Good luck :wink:

That is a the most,well the most unsafe and damaging way to flush your tranny,plus you should exchange the fliud before you change the filters(why push dirty fluid through a clean filter).I would highly NOT recommend that process.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:01 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

hooperswish wrote:

OR you could just do it all yourself and save a bundle:

http://www.partshp.com/FluidChange.htm

Good luck :wink:

That is a the most,well the most unsafe and damaging way to flush your tranny,plus you should exchange the fliud before you change the filters(why push dirty fluid through a clean filter).I would highly NOT recommend that process.

If you look on the amsoil sight, they tell you to do it this exact way as well......but hey, I drive a stick...

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:10 am

As I stated earlier, don't be afraid of doing it yourself.

TSB: DT– 2005-09-28 (Amsoil technical service bulletin - go to the amsoil sight, do a search, and download the file)

Amsoil IS NOT going to give you "damaging" advise. They are all about your vehicle lasting as long as possible.
It is basically the same as paying for a machine, but you are just doing it yourself. PLUS you save 2-300 bones. As far as doing the filter first, you could do it last, but then you need an EXTRA 6-7 quarts. Do the filter first as recommended, no big deal.
Keep in mind, I am not trying to act like a know it all, I just trust amsoil and SEVERAL other references. PERFECTLY SAFE and not that big of a deal. So if you are up to it, save yourself some money. Some people believe that those machines will actually push old other peoples contaminated fluid through your system. I guess it depends on how much you trust your mechanic. Personally, I don't think I would trust the dealer mechanics with this job, warranty or not.
Just my .02 cents...

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:49 am

I have done it a couple times w/ the cooler lines and it was fine. It is a little cumbersome of a process on some vehicles but not dangerous and certainly didn't cause any problems. I still feel that a fluid/filter change done at reasonable intervals w/ good products is fine and will result in a long lasting trans w/ No problems. No way in hell am I going to trust my local dealer to touch my Jeep. They had their chance to win me over and screwed it up big time.

All that said, I also believe in the fluid exchange machines if you find a good mechanic to operate it.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:57 pm

I have also heard that installing a magnefine filter will go a long ways in prolonging auto tranny life.

http://www.emergingent.com/magnefine/in ... n_page.htm

Whatever one decides on, do it yourself, dealer job, independent shop, etc., I think one thing we can all agree on, is to change the tranny fluid and change it often if you want long tranny life. Not all of us were lucky enough to get the driveline lifetime warranty. :cry:

Good luck!! :wink:

Dealer tranny service

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