Recommended way to change fluid?

[Whitetail Addict]

Mike or Big Dipper, what is the preffered method for changing the trans fluid?
I have what I believe is regular atf in the trans now and I have transynd to go in.
Should I drain the pan, change the spin-on and refill or should I pull the return line, and let the trans pump the old out while refilling with transynd. I guess like the "hoot" method, which I feel is risky but if it is the preffered method I will get more fluid and do it that way.
Sorry for all the questions, but I want to do it right and treat my truck well. Plus any technical question should add to the content of the site.

 

[BIG DIPPER]

If you drop the pan and filter, you will only be leaving 3-4 quarts of Dex in there. It will be fine, but if the fluid you are replacing has a few miles on it, it will be easy to do the Hoot method after you start refilling. Home Depot has clear hose and you will be able to see the color change.....or just pump out about 4 quarts.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Thanks Big Dipper.

Could you expand a little please? This will be my first attempt at the hoot method.

Do you have to drop the pan, I believe mine has a drain?
Also I have two gallons of transynd will that be enough?

I want to fully understand this method before I attempt it.

 

[BIG DIPPER]

If you drop the pan, replace the internal filter, I thought that was the filter you were refering to. After putting the pan back on, or not, put about 10 quarts of fluid in. Pull the from cooler line at the trans, start the truck and pump out 4 quarts. You will probably be topping off with 3 more quarts....roughly.

If you drop the pan and don't do the Hoot method, you will be replacing with roughly 8 quarts.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Got it.

So I need at least another gallon maybe two to be safe, and the internal filter.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[BIG DIPPER]

Depending on the miles on your truck. If it has like 70k on it....I would change it. It isn't necessary, but neither is the Transynd if you know what I mean.

I would say you will be close with 3 gallons. Just be sure to pump out less than 4 quarts and not more......that will be plenty. You will have atleast 90% Transynd.

 

[modified]

Allison says to change internal pan filter at rebuild. Others will say it sure doesn't hurt to replace internal filter if >50K miles on it. New filters about $25. Cheap insurance.
Some of the transmission experts will tell you you'll need 16 qts of ATF minimum to do a complete flush, so buy 5 gallons and you'll have a couple of qts left over for future use.
Here's the hoot flush info with pics:
http://mdt.volvospeed.com/repairs/allison_atf_filter.html

 

[BIG DIPPER]

You only need 16 quarts if you add the deep pan.

 

[minisub]

Allison says to change internal pan filter at rebuild. Others will say it sure doesn't hurt to replace internal filter if >50K miles on it. New filters about $25. Cheap insurance.
Some of the transmission experts will tell you you'll need 16 qts of ATF minimum to do a complete flush, so buy 5 gallons and you'll have a couple of qts left over for future use.
Here's the hoot flush info with pics:
http://mdt.volvospeed.com/repairs/allison_atf_filter.html

Exactly my thoughts.

BTW - Hi and welcome!

 

[BIG DIPPER]

Well I'm no "transmission expert", but I can tell you this:

A drain and refill is close to 8 quarts.
A pan drop/filter replace is slighlty over 8 quarts.
A pan drop and install a deep pan will be give or take 12 quarts.
A complete disassemble, install triple-lock and deep pan is give or take 21 quarts.

Just so I cover everything, there could be a half quart or so difference simply in how the truck is setting......

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Went and got two more gallons of Transynd this evening as well as the internal filter, figured I may as well instead of running out. I also got the clear hose that was recommended.

On a side note the Transynd went down $2 since Tuesday, maybe the parts girl took a liking to me

I plan on doing the trans flush this weekend. I will post my results when complete.

 

[trashygasman]

I used 16 when I did mine, only because it pumped it out way faster then I thought it would and I didn't get the truck shut back off in time So I lost a couple qts. of new fluid.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

I did the trans flush this evening. You would think I should be able to find something better to do than change my trans fluid on Sat night. But anyhow it is done.

Out of the 4 gallons I bought I have 1.5 quarts left. That is including filling the spin-on, what fluid ran out of the trans line, the quart or so that got spilled, and the new fluid in the trans. The trans right now is in the middle of the full cold mark on the dipstick, using the method in the owner's manual to check it. I will drive it tomorrow to get it hot and check it again.

I didn't notice a color change in the fluid so maybe it had transynd in it already. On an up note the fluid in the pan looked real good and clean and nothing of mention on the pan magnet either.

I did exactly as Big Dipper said, drained and dropped pan, replaced internal filter, dropped external filter, reinstalled the pan, filled and reinstalled external filter. Then I added 2.5 gal (10 quart) of Transynd, pulled from cooler line, pumped 1 gal (4 quart) out, reinstalled line and added until full, about 3.5 quart or so.

I did not add any down the dipstick while it was pumping out, I hope I didn't hurt anything in the process. It pumped out so quick it would be hard to do anyhow. But the way I read other directions, fill with 8 quart, pump two out, add 2 quart, pump 2 more out would be the same thing as I did.

I did run into a snag, as with anything automotive related I work on. I had to remove the clamp from my downpipe, to my frontpipe to get enough clearance to let the from cooler line out of the fitting. This is due to my 4" exhaust. Minor looking back, but time consuming none the less and a heads up for others attempting this.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[CHYKYNLIPS]

Is it necessary or beneficial to move the gear selector through D,N,and R when pumping out the old fluid while doing the hoot flush?

 

[PhilsLB7]

Subscribing - let us know how things go!

 

[TrentNell]

Is it necessary or beneficial to move the gear selector through D,N,and R when pumping out the old fluid while doing the hoot flush?

No you will be fine just letting it pump out , I doubt you would have time to do it anyway , 1 gallon will pump out pretty fast .

 

[CHYKYNLIPS]

Ok, thanks.

This afternoon, i reassembled the valvebody after i installed the transgo jr trim valves and i went on and installed it back on the truck since i had a few more minutes of day light left and got the pan and filters on too. I will probably do the flush in a couple days though. I noticed that the internal filter kind of hangs down on the opposite end of the spout even after i pushed it in until the filter bottomed out in the rim thats up in the mouth where it fits on at. I used the new grommet that came with the filter but it just seemed slightly loose. I was wondering if the stock shallow oil pan comes up close enough to support the filter? Just dont want it to fall out, if thats even possible.

(BTW, if that is your truck in your avatar, thats a sharp looking engine compartment, not to mention the twins.)

 

[Mike L.]

Is it necessary or beneficial to move the gear selector through D,N,and R when pumping out the old fluid while doing the hoot flush?

No

 

[CHYKYNLIPS]

No

good, thats less to worry with. What do you think about the comment i made above about the internal filter hanging low on one end?

I also found like the op that i have to disconnect the front pipe...thats unfortuneate because there is alot of tension at the clamp because when i put it on, i lifted the whole exhaust because i dont like it to be so exposed and the tip hang low. Oh well, hopefully it will match up when i reconnect it.

 

[CHYKYNLIPS]

Well, i just finished the Hoot flush on my truck and i thought i would comment on it. I got semi lost on the pumped fluid vs fresh fluid ratio for a couple reasons and i got the level too low and it quit pumping out and threw a few codes. I didnt get to concerned yet. Im the guy that always over does things whether necessary or not so i pumped out two gallons instead of the normal one gallon that is recommended.

Two things got my ratio off that led to the low fluid level and codes..one was the extra gallon i pumped (although i did refill one gallon of fresh fluid before i pumped the second) and the second was not taking into consideration the length of the hose i used. It was the clear 5/8" ID but to get it to the driver side where i could monitor it and control the ignition, i had it cut 10 feet and when full, it probably had a couple gallons in the hose itself. Anyway, i started the truck and moved the gear selector to ensure the tc was full and then i filled it to the cold level.

I drove until the trans temp was 150 then checked it and it was in the cold so i added two quarts which put it in the hot level. I plan to drive it again to get the temp to 160-200 and check it again. Although 2 quarts low when i went on the test drive, it shifted great which confirmed the transgo jr install was a success which satisfied me well. The cel light stayed on even after i tried to clear the codes which concerned me, but after i added the last two quarts to get it in the hot level, the light went off so i assumed there is a fluid level sensor somewhere. The cel is not on but my programmer still pulls the tranny codes. I guess it only clears out engine trouble codes and not codes from the tcm? I am just going to try to find somebody with a techII to clear them for me. Hope this helps anybody that will be doing the hoot method for the first time.