138k Transmission

4646 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Jay.D, Apr 16, 2019

ss4chad

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2019

Wanting or thinking about changing the trans filter and fluid. Car has never had it changed and it has 138K on the Odometer.

I have read and seen trans fail very soon after a fluid and filter service, what are your thoughts?

Why am I or why did I wait so long to think about changing it? The recommended service interval in the owners manual says not to change it, Says if I get a leak or have trans issues to contact the dealer.

That might be a weak excuse but it is what it is. I am now paranoid about a trans with fluid that is 6 years old and has over 138K miles on it.

So, fluid only? Fluid and filter? Prayers?

Chad

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plano-doug

· #2 · Apr 9, 2019

ss4chad said:
So, fluid only? Fluid and filter? Prayers?

I think the consensus will be drain and fill (and filter). No flush. I'm not a transmission mechanic - only repeating what I've read - but it seems reasonable. And that's what I've always done on all my vehicles.

It's not clear what model year you have so I'm not sure what transmission is in your car, but the later 6T70's don't have the bad rep that the earlier 4T65E's did. So there's a bit less concern if you have the 6-speed 6T70.

I believe the gasket is re-usable, so, unless it's damaged, you want to keep it rather than use the one that comes in the filter package.

HTH.

Doug

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ss4chad

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 9, 2019

Thanks Doug!

The car is a 2013 Impala LTZ. Planned on dropping the pan and replacing the filter and the fluid this weekend, along with a Left Side ABS harness.

Thanks for the reassurance!

Chad

12 lt

· #4 · Apr 9, 2019

Assuming in your saying the fluid is 6 years old, that you are saying the car is a 2013. The transmission with the 12 and newer lfx engines has no serviceable filter. I am not a mechanic, but if it were mine I would drain and change now, and again as soon as you can within the next 3-5000 miles or sooner. When you drain, if possible measure how much old comes out and put the same amount back in with new. Check the fluid after the second change for color and if it is nice and pink then get on to a regular schedule, if not go for another drain and change.

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12 lt

· #5 · Apr 9, 2019

ss4chad said:
The car is a 2013 Impala LTZ. Planned on dropping the pan and replacing the filter and the fluid this weekend, along with a Left Side ABS harness.

Thanks for the reassurance!

Chad

Cannot drop the pan, there is no pan on this transmission to drop. There is a drain bolt that can be reached from the driver side of the car without putting the car on ramps. You will likely get 5-5.5 qts to drain.

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ss4chad

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 9, 2019

12 lt said:
Cannot drop the pan, there is no pan on this transmission to drop. There is a drain bolt that can be reached from the driver side of the car without putting the car on ramps. You will likely get 5-5.5 qts to drain.

Really? Wow, I would have been under that damm thing for hours looking for a pan! Does it not have a filter? Guess not if I can't drop the pan, funny thing though, O'reilly's says they have a filter for that car, weird.

Ok, fluid only and I agree, change it now and again in about another 3000 miles.

Thanks again!

Chad

plano-doug

· #7 · Apr 9, 2019

12 lt said:
The transmission with the 12 and newer lfx engines has no serviceable filter.

I was wondering about that. I've not serviced my 2013's transmission yet (at ~40k miles). So I don't have any hands-on with it. But, before I posted, I checked on Autozone, and danged if they don't indicate there is one. :bang:

Doug

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SAAN

· #8 · Apr 9, 2019

This is for a Traverse, but the Impala will be very similar, its the same 3.6L/6spd FWD auto.

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Joes74challenger

· #9 · Apr 9, 2019

thanks for that pic. i've always wondered how the they looked on the 6 speeds.

12 lt

· #10 · Apr 9, 2019

plano-doug said:
I was wondering about that. I've not serviced my 2013's transmission yet (at ~40k miles). So I don't have any hands-on with it. But, before I posted, I checked on Autozone, and danged if they don't indicate there is one. :bang:

Doug

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Ummm yeah, some parts stores also list a tps for the throttle body on my 2012 but the part looks nothing at all like anything that would fit anywhere on my car. :dunno:

Pic @SAAN posted is accurate, there is no pan to drop.

Just drained and refilled the trans fluid in our 2012 again over the weekend and got out about 5.5 qts.

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Joes74challenger

· #11 · Apr 9, 2019

on my 16 1/2 ton silverado they don't show a listing for a trans fluid change....transfer case fluid would be at 97k miles....on the severe duty section they list trans and transfer case at 40k miles (i'm guessing typo on the standard duty chart?). i'm still kind of looking into whether or not to change it on the 8 speed. seems like even though it's a sealed unit that is a lot of shifting every day in city traffic to last 97k miles without a fluid change at least.

ss4chad

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 9, 2019

You guys are awesome!

Chad

hatzie

· #13 · Apr 9, 2019 (Edited)

ss4chad said:
Really? Wow, I would have been under that damm thing for hours looking for a pan! Does it not have a filter? Guess not if I can't drop the pan, funny thing though, O'reilly's says they have a filter for that car, weird.

Ok, fluid only and I agree, change it now and again in about another 3000 miles.

Thanks again!

Chad

You can change the pickup strainer if you want to pull the transmission and completely disassemble it.

As others have said. I'd drain what you can using the drain plug, re-fill it with Dexron VI, and do it again with the engine oil change in another 5,000 miles or so. If it doesn't drain nice and clear red do it again in another 5K.

Cut a section out of the rubber transmission oil cooler return line and install a metal 3/8" Magnefine transmission filter. Change this filter every oil change for three changes, then every 2nd oil change... be sure to top it back up with with the half pint or so of Dexron VI you lost with the filter.
Use Fuel Injection Clamps or spring band clamps on the hose not Jubilee Worm clamps.

You can cut the metal filter can open with a big pipe cutter.

Amazon.com: Magnefine 3/8" Magnetic Inline Transmission/Power Steering Filter: Automotive

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sheila

· #14 · Apr 9, 2019

^+1 Chad. No serviceable filter or pan. Easier than an oil change. I loosen/remove atf cap/dipstick to help vent, without jacking up the car, I slide a drain pan under in front of the lf tire, locate the 11mm drain plug, loosen/remove with a 3/8" dr. ratchet, short extension, 11mm socket, and drain. I install the plug finger tight and tighten with a 1/4" dr. ratchet, short ext. and 11mm socket. You can use deep wells instead of the exts. and short sockets. I then refill with 6 qts. (just like an oil change). Do this when cold (like a spark plug change) due to steel drain plug and aluminum tranny bottom case. Easy peasy, lol.

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billyo

· #15 · Apr 11, 2019

So, fluid only? Fluid and filter? Prayers?

Chad[/QUOTE]

I am on my 4th impala LTZ
I had a 01 with 260K no issues
05 LTZ 250K intake gasket,wheel hubs the general stuff everybody deals with .
Went two a 2013 LTZ ,Cat converter ,then valve job at 80K ,hubs,brake rotors all the time , at 160K it started Acting as though the tranny was junk only at certain slight load on throttle it shuttered . Drove it for 10K like that and lost confidence, Could figure out what it was ,thought maybe motor but finally best guess was torque converter . Didn't want to start fixing stuff that didn't need fixing. Figured it would go completely. I travel a lot long distance and said screw it and gave it to son and I bought a 2015 Impala loaded 6cyl . Kid still driving 2013 and he has put 15K more on it and its the same. it is the only one i serviced tranny in at 100K . Never again. If fluid is clean just keep driving it.

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Jay.D

· #16 · Apr 16, 2019

It’s my experience when people change transmission fluid and filter and then the transmission fails shortly after. That transmission already had wear problems and the dirty trans fluid was actually keeping the transmission from slipping. I always change trans fluid and filter in every used vehicle I buy and never had a problem. What I also do is only change as much fluid as exits when I drop the pan to change filter. Usually about 4-5 qts with a small block V-8.
I also always add Lucas transmission additive when adding fluid. I have a 93’ GMC k-1500 5.7tbi I’ve owned for 18 years and has 264,xxx miles. It has the original 4L60E that’s never been touched besides a few filters and adding Lucas, It’s still going strong.

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