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terrancew3 wrote: just drain it and then replace the filter and add new fluid. Then drain it again after a few thousand miles and put new fluid and filter in. What would you guys recommend?

I recommend the drain and replace the filter. You indicated you can do that yourself under the car, so that's good. The new regular fluid will have lots of additives working to pick up deposits and carry them to be trapped by the filters or stay in solution again.

My suggestion is to use Dex III equivalent fluid (Dexron/Mercon) from a name brand company to replace the 6 quarts out of 12 that will be drained. That means half the fluid is freshly working with good additives again. Drive her 5-10000 miles. Then use a Harbor Freight suction pump to suck warm but not hot fluid out the dipstick. I got out 6 quarts with that pump, and then poured in 6 more quarts of Dexron/Mercon equivelent to Dex III. Drove more and repeated again, all without a second replacement of the filter.

I had put in 6 quarts of Dexron VI on an earlier filter change. It was after that I noticed more problem with long shifts 1-2 and eventually an occasional failsafe to a hard shift until the computer was restarted. So I wanted to get out the Dex VI. It slowly seemed to replace the Dex VI in the clutches and improve the shift characteristics again with the Dex III (Dexron/Mercon). I recommend using the original fluid on the earlier transmissions.

After the 2nd replacement, you'll have roughly 25% of original fluid; after a 3rd replacement about 12% remaining.

I've been running DEX VI for past two years in my SSEI with no issues.

I do what imadozol does to get 75% fluid change. Use this $10 hand pump, available at almost any place that sells auto parts (pump comes under various brand names, but they are all the same):



Drawing the fluid out through the dipstick tube gets rid of almost all the mess when dropping the pan, and eliminates the need to drop it a second time to reach 75%. Use the skinny black hose attachment to get down deep into the trans.

Ken_W

I had my tranny rebuilt about 2 years ago with a reputable shop in town and they put Dex 3 in. I wanted Dex 6, but they didn't carry it. They said Dex 6 was really good, but not necessary. This month I had the 2nd fluid change with my dealership and they put Dex 6 in. It is just easier and I have peace of mind that it is done quickly, effieciently and I will gets lots of miles out of this tranny. I'm keeping this car till the wheels fall off.

terrancew3 wrote: what brand gasket should I pick up?

You keep the same gasket that's currently on the pan. It is meant to be reused unless it gets torn.

As for filter, I use Purolate because they were stamped Made in the USA and they're available at Pepboys and Advance Auto Parts. IIRC, cheapest at Pepboys.

I get my trany fluid and filter changed at a local trany shop. I have had 2 tranies rebuilt by this shop (not bonny tranies). This shop has been around for many years and they have extensive experience. The owner of this shop only recommends draining fluid, not flushing. Flushing is faster which is most likely why it has become common, saves costs for shops. I just bought a 2002 SLE and trany fluid and filter change is first on my list. Cost me $100, but it is cheap insurance.

The gasket is reusable but can leak. I got a Felpro pan gasket from the parts store cheap and replaced mine, leaked a little on original but all good now. I also got a Purolator filter (great quality filters)

S

One advantage to the flush is that you get the fluid that would normally be left sitting in the torque converter. It's almost time for me to do a filter and fluid change.

xdhd350 wrote:One advantage to the flush is that you get the fluid that would normally be left sitting in the torque converter. It's almost time for me to do a filter and fluid change.

This is why I would drop the pan and add new stuff. Then after a few hundred miles repeat the process.