Transmission Fluid Flush?

[mrwright2323@gmail.com]

I have a 02' Mazda Millenia 2.5, with 148K miles, what is the best place to get a transmission fluid flush? Tire Kingdom is quoting $140, and what are you guys opinions on transmission fluid flushes?

[ME2000]

Some members do flushes some do drains. Ironically the manual says just to inspect the fluid. lol Mine is still nice an red. But it does need to be changed. I'll probably do a drain myself and add whats needed. MOST shops usually make you sign a waiver when doing a flush. I guess it was because ppl's tranny would die on them after a flush. But there could be MANY things done wrong PRIOR to the flush, like negligence. I had a flush done in one of the other cars, and its still shifting an running strong and has 200K miles on the original tranny.

Steve, Ken Inn, Yel-low, Grip, Milly00, T2T, and other's can give you more details on what I said. They know their stuff.

[SteveSter]

What condition is your transmission fluid now?

If its already getting dark and has a slight burnt smell I would recommend dropping the pan to get a better idea of the condition of the transmission. Then cleaning the magnet, cleaning or replacing the filter and get it toped off with new fluid.

If your fluid is a reddish color and the transission has been taken care of you should be fine to do a flush but I would still recommend doing several drain and fills to replace most of the fluid.

You should also try to use DexVI

[T2T]

Pep Boys does a combination. For about $150, they'll flush your tranny, replace the gasket and filter along with adding in new fluid. Check their Web site for coupons that might save you about $20 off of the process.

Other places that flush the tranny, use the BG Products method of flushing. Your existing filter and gasket are left in place, but the tranny is flushed. That process runs about $190 - $210, depending on where you have it done.

[ME2000]

See I told you they can tell you more. Steve works on trannies iirc.

[wilfredom]

Originally Posted by ME2000

MOST shops usually make you sign a waiver when doing a flush. I guess it was because ppl's tranny would die on them after a flush. But there could be MANY things done wrong PRIOR to the flush, like negligence. I had a flush done in one of the other cars, and its still shifting an running strong and has 200K miles on the original tranny.

Steve, Ken Inn, Yel-low, Grip, Milly00, T2T, and other's can give you more details on what I said. They know their stuff.

my cousin had a Mitsubishi-jeep dealer with parts & service dept next door to my shop (he was also a captive client too) I used to hang around service where u can hear (& see) the most creepy stories bout new cars..like a jeep engine lacking a piston or a front axle !!.. mitsu was another thing.. they were like any other jap car but had tranny problems after a fluid change or flush..jap engineers analyzed & concluded that if u keep the scheduled maintenance, there should be no problems = no warranty.
Local mechanics found out that if u use the same oil, filtered with a cloth colander can be reused & topped with new oil or additive. and thats true, no jokes here..any comments? have u heard something similar ..

[ME2000]

Ive heard that deal to with syn oil. Just change the filter when you get halfway through the interval and top up again. Never tried it. I guess its for people who want to keep their oil clean as possible, but you will eventually HAVE to change it.

[wilfredom]

Originally Posted by ME2000

Ive heard that deal to with syn oil. Just change the filter when you get halfway through the interval and top up again. Never tried it. I guess its for people who want to keep their oil clean as possible, but you will eventually HAVE to change it.

The story dates to 1989-1990, maybe till '97..mitsu slowed the sales drastically in the island.. now u can't hardly see one of those early models on the road today..

[T2T]

Originally Posted by wilfredom

The story dates to 1989-1990, maybe till '97..mitsu slowed the sales drastically in the island.. now u can't hardly see one of those early models on the road today..

I know in our mid to late 90s Dodge Stratus, Mitsubishi made the 4 cylinder engine for it. I guess Dodge wasn't capable. However, it was a pretty crappy engine. It ate 2 heat gaskets while we had it - both under warranty. The tranny wasn't any better. I had the dealer maintain that, too. I guess they couldn't or didn't stock a proper tranny gasket for it, so they used 3 or 4 tubes of blue silicone to make their own gasket. Once the bolts were tightened down, it all oozed out - talk about a messy looking gasket job.

Then, in 2002 when we were looking for a replacement to the Dodge, Mitsubishi was throwing out all kinds of incentives. 0% financing for 60 months with no payments for the first year. Tempting, but ah, no way. We then happened on the 2002 Millenia which was being cleared out for $21K and change.

[mrwright2323@gmail.com]

So what do you recommend? A transmission fluid flush? or a fluid change? What places do Fluid changes?