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Trans fluid change-risk of total failure

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9.6K views 40 replies 16 participants last post by  dirtpoor  
#1 ·
Hey guys, so I'm gonna change my trans fluid and filter and I was watching some videos of how to DIY and some people were mentioning that on older transmissions with higher miles it can do 1 of 2 things.
1.) fix shift hesitation,slips

Or

2.) cause total failure

So it is a 50/50 chance of failure.

Keep in mind my trans is a TH-250-c with 84,xxx or 184,xxx.

It's 29 years old and why I don't know the mileage is because the carfax report says the last report of miles was 79,xxx just before I bought it (I put 5,xxx on) and in 1995 mileage was miscommunicated.

So what do you guys think? Yes or no?
 
#4 ·
Yeah, me too. Mike took me in when my trans went out, sight un-seen. He built me a transmission that could take any abuse i could give it, and even let me make payments on it. We hung out for the weekend during the Sacramento meet up, did some drag racing, and some (re-whole lot of) drinking. He's a great guy. I miss having him on here.
 
#5 ·
He sounds like a great guy! That's nice of him, I wonder if some members in his area can't come together to help him assemble his elco for all the good he has done with transmisio help:dontknow:
 
#6 ·
-*


I your worried here's a great way to change the trans fluid but not the filter 100% new fluid


Disconnect the bottom trans. line going into the radiator hook a piece of rubber hose get a 5 gal. bucket for the fluid to drain into. Have at least two extra quarts of trans fluid. Start the truck and the trans fluid will start filling the bucket keep adding fluid with the engine running till the trans fluid looks new and pink. hook back up the trans line top off and your done.


ADD SOME LUCAS TRANS FIX!!!!!!!
 
#12 ·
Your going to get 1/2 the fluid out if you only change the filter and the trans fluid in the pan!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#16 ·
I was told when fluid is nasty to change the filter & fluid, Then change the fluid again.
When you change the motor oil, change the tranny filter & fluid, When you do the next oil change, Change the tranny fluid !
Gives it a better chance of staying together with some of the old fluid in there.
That way you get the filter change & Get new Fluid ! (If the oil is nasty what do you think the filter looks like) :dontknow:
 
#14 ·
I have had that happen. It got funky looking and I changed it and in less than 2 days it was out. I think it had more to do with stuff breaking loose and clogging up some valve bodies. I also started a thread on here about it and it was also a 50/50 poll about changing it. When I can find a link I'll post it!!
Donny
 
#15 ·
I'm starting to not want to do this!

What if I sucked the fluid out from the dipstick (like the shops do) and then add new fluid, then hand it off to a shop to do it?

Because the fluid is brownish red and they probably won't work on it but that's not my fault, as far as I k ow I have origional trans fluid/filter:dontknow:

Or what if I just drained the fluid? It sounds like when you get to the filter, that is where the problems begin.
 
#19 ·
My .02 is change it,, most of these issues are caused by owners never servicing the drive line,,, I have done the fluid change and it helped on some and others not so much. My Astro van (normal trans rebuild w/o any service at all) most vans had to have the trans rebuilt from 120,000 to 150+K,, I serviced mine every other oil change, I weld in a 1/2 20 nut in every trans pan I have and buy a drain plug,, I replaced almost 4 qts per every other oil change,, and that astro van had 205,000 on the trans and it drove for two + years after I sold it,, the very last trans service I did the oil was red & clear as the day I bought it new in 93`.. And yes the oil was .99 per quart just a short time ago,,, and with the dreain plug it was a bunch less mess than without one,,, I have tried those drain plug kits and the stink IMO,,, i like my weld in plugs,,,, so service it and roll the dice,,, and do the 3rd diff ,, power steering,, and flush the brake fluid,,, Matty man
 
G
#22 ·
#23 ·
Neither steelbeast, I was worried about metal but it doesn't have any flakes in the dipstick.

Oh Steelbeast, I'm not having trans slips, I just have trans hesitations, looks like I gotta find my vacume leak! I think its the intake manifold vacume to the trans.
 
#25 ·
Yes I was too! I had my dad check it out.

I didn't know slipping and hesitations were 2 different things.

I thought hesitation was slipping but my dad said its not slipping.

Modulator hose and modulator are both NEW.
 
#40 ·
add some lucas and leave it alone.

I'm to poor to take risk atm which is why i gave that answer.



X2


or put it in after you flush it.



Related Kit/Combos
Show All




Brand:Lucas Oil

Manufacturer's Part Number:10009-1

Part Type:Transmission Fluid Additives

Product Line:Lucas Transmission Fix

Summit Racing Part Number:LUC-10009-1



Volume:24 oz.

Quantity:Sold individually.

In-Store Pickup:Choose In-store pick-up (OH, GA, NV) on our web site.

Lucas Transmission Fix will eliminate the slippage, hesitation, and rough shifting that are common in worn transmissions. You can also use it in light-duty manual transmissions for easier shifting and longer transmission life.

Warranty


 
#29 ·
Dirt & Varnish in an old mechanical device are not all together bad things....They tend to deposit in areas that have worn, and take up the slack....Using Sea-Foam in an old engine, or cleaning an old trans removes this build-up and has the effect of Instant failure...
As my daily drivers get older(after 150,000 miles), I actually extend the mileage between changes...My Acura has 325,000 never touched anything but normal maint. My Jeep Grand and Lincoln Aviator both went well over 250,000 with no issues.....Must admit they are almost all freeway miles though....Been doing it this way for 40 years, and has worked out very well for me.
Of course on my performance cars, nothing lasts very long for other reasons....Like a lead foot!
 
#31 · (Edited)
Most of the time the changing and then things going bad is when you use that flushing machine on a old tranny and clean out all of the old shiX if you just gravity drain and change the filter you are very unlikely to have a bad problem. My 2002 SUV was having trouble going into gear when cold did the simple change over a year ago and it has never missed again at 150K miles, also have had a TH 400 that would not shift at all when I purchased it in a 69 Camino and I put a new filter in and passed through three fluid changes in 50 miles and it fixed it fine and last I heard after I sold it it was going three years later.


Change it and run till Ya have to do something.