How To: Auto Tranny Flush

[djcharlee]

I am doing this this weekend.

 

[vandenbusschebr]

TIP for removing pan: Use a heat gun or hairdryer to loosen the pan sealant after removing the bolts. Because our cars do not come stock with a gasket, the pan may stick to the case (as happened to me) and some heat will help you to loosen the bond.

BIG THANK YOU! to mad hatter and everyone who has written on this post! It was my first time doing a flush and filter replacement and with the help of a friend we did it in 2 hr, 15 min. My mechanic (who has always been straight with me and actually once told me i did not need a trans flush on a truck a couple years ago when he could have just did it anyway) wanted $150 to do the flush and replace the filter. I left the AutoMart with 8qt. of dex/merc and a filter and gasket for $41.00! talk about a savigs.

 

[damaster]

I hate to revive an old thread, but my wife's 1.6L Protege's tranny is acting up (kicking out of overdrive, etc.). We had the tranny fluid flushed and changed at a Mr Lube 6 years ago (40k miles ago), but this time I plan to do it on my own.

I picked up 8.5L of Valvoline MaxLife and the filter kit from Autozone. How should I proceed with this?
1) Drain
2) Change filter
3) Flush

Is that the right order?

 

[M4Carbine]

I hate to revive an old thread, but my wife's 1.6L Protege's tranny is acting up (kicking out of overdrive, etc.). We had the tranny fluid flushed and changed at a Mr Lube 6 years ago (40k miles ago), but this time I plan to do it on my own.

I picked up 8.5L of Valvoline MaxLife and the filter kit from Autozone. How should I proceed with this?
1) Drain
2) Change filter
3) Flush

Is that the right order?

Yep. Just make sure you fill it back up with the same amount of fluid that came out from the pan. Then flush. I was wondering, why couldn't you do this like the machine does it. Put the in hose in the clean fluid and the out hose in an empty bucket. That way you suck up just as Mich fluid as it puts out. At least it sounds good in theory. I plan on doing this in a couple weeks myself.

 

[damaster]

Yep. Just make sure you fill it back up with the same amount of fluid that came out from the pan. Then flush. I was wondering, why couldn't you do this like the machine does it. Put the in hose in the clean fluid and the out hose in an empty bucket. That way you suck up just as Mich fluid as it puts out. At least it sounds good in theory. I plan on doing this in a couple weeks myself.

I actually did it way back in February in the order I posted above. Ended up putting less than 8.5L of fluid back in and then checked the level after driving the car for a short period. Had to top it up by almost a liter.

Worth noting that the transmission has been silky smooth since changing the fluid and filter. No more sticking issues whatsoever.

 

[M4Carbine]

I just did mine this morning, everything went smooth. I opted to not do the filter change as I had it flushed at the dealer about 50,000 miles ago and the fluid was still pretty clean. Its odd tho, according to the manual the auto takes just under 8 qts of fluid but mine took more like 10-10.5 qts. I started out with 12, used one to flush the power steering and I have about 3/4qt left so it took about 10qts to flush mine. I guess the manual doesn't account for the fluid in the lines and in the trans cooler. I sure am glad I ordered 12 qts tho, I hyad a feeling I would need extra just in case. I used Eneos synthetic BTW.

 

[M4Carbine]

doubletap

 

[lanwanx]

Suggested ATF from the Protege5 Service Manual

 

[Jordysoso]

so someone please clear up for me, do i need to change the filter or not? if i can drain it and fill it and get the same reults id rather do that. if i have to get a new filter id rather have valvoline just do it so if they f it up its on them.

 

[fishdonotbounce]

How many miles are on the car?

 

[Jordysoso]

95k auto

 

[fishdonotbounce]

You may as well change the filter. You'll also have a chance to pull the magnets that are at the bottom of your pan and clean them off. You'll be surprised how much fine metal you will pull off of them.

It is very easy to swap the filter. Just drop the pan, pull filter off, put new one in, put pan back on.

 

[Jordysoso]

i think ill wait til the next cookout... lol i dont trust myself to do this alone, a few extra hands will be great.

 

[slystatus]

First post on here.
Getting ready to work on the wife's '02 MP5. I believe it needs a tranny flush badly as well as an EGR cleaning badly. I'll keep ya'll updated if I learn anything new or useful, pursuant to this thread. Wish me luck!

 

[mishkakrisa]

First post and HELP!

Okay, So I'm a total noob with maintenance on my 02 protege 5. I'm in the process of doing the tranny flush but am having problems.

If anybody can answer a few question for me, that would be awesome.

Can someone tell me the difference and location of the oil pan versus where do drain the ATF?

I added some ATF via the dipstick, but i think it may be in the oil pan? is this possible? Anyway, in this process I'm pretty sure i drained my oil..

I know Im gonna get a ton of crap for this, but take it easy on me...I'm trying to learn.

Thanks in advance.
Mish

 

[statlerjames]

Could you connect a hose to the other line, drop it into a tank of fresh fluid and draw fresh fluid into the transmission at the same time? The theory being the tyranny would be drawing in fresh fluid and pumping out old fluid, simultaneously.