Amsoil Transmission Service on my 2002 Yukon XL 8.1

[MPDano]

Guys,

I was going to do the full flush service on my transmission but lack the experience on flushing.

I was quoted $500 to flush and filter and fill with Signature Series Amsoil Trans Fluid by a local transmission shop.

Considering all the labor involved, is this a decent price?

Thanks,
Leo

 

[BoxChevy216]

Sounds high to me, either way make sure they dint do that pressure flush.

 

[MPDano]

Sounds high to me, either way make sure they dint do that pressure flush.

What is a pressure flush?

 

[MPDano]

Amsoil fluid alone is almost $200 (14 quarts). I would say $30 for the filter, so thinking it's around $250 for all the service labor. Flush, remove pan and install new filter, then fill with fluid.

 

[BoxChevy216]

Where they force "cleaners" through the trans to "flush" it, one local shop here tried to sell me that BS.

 

[MPDano]

Where they force "cleaners" through the trans to "flush" it, one local shop here tried to sell me that BS.

Ah got it. Not real sure what they will do, but they are a transmission place and not a general auto service shop. They will warranty the work so I am trusting them to do the job correctly.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Ah got it. Not real sure what they will do, but they are a transmission place and not a general auto service shop. They will warranty the work so I am trusting them to do the job correctly.

Sure, their work, but they won't warranty the trans if it goes. They'll blame it on something else, not on the pressure flush. I wouldn't do it, personally.

 

[MPDano]

Sure, their work, but they won't warranty the trans if it goes. They'll blame it on something else, not on the pressure flush. I wouldn't do it, personally.

What would you do?

 

[Tonyrodz]

I wouldn't go for the pressure flush. I def would flush the fluid, but as someone above stated, don't do the pressure flush.

 

[MPDano]

I wouldn't go for the pressure flush. I def would flush the fluid, but as someone above stated, don't do the pressure flush.

Got it. I do remember him explaining the process. Something like flush out old in cycles using same type fluid, drop the pan and change filter and fill with Amsoil Signature fluid.

 

[whitey hoe]

If your transmission shifts fine then don't touch it.If you must then just drop the pan,change filter,clean magnet,put back together and fill to proper level.2 times in my life have I had a service done ( many years ago),and within probably 6 months both trans went out.

 

[MPDano]

If your transmission shifts fine then don't touch it.If you must then just drop the pan,change filter,clean magnet,put back together and fill to proper level.2 times in my life have I had a service done ( many years ago),and within probably 6 months both trans went out.

Well, it shifted fine. Just got too hot when towing my Toy Hauler. I went from 250 to 215 from the trans flush, plus I had 1000+ pounds added in weight. I think I made progress.

 

[whitey hoe]

Well, it shifted fine. Just got too hot when towing my Toy Hauler. I went from 250 to 215 from the trans flush, plus I had 1000+ pounds added in weight. I think I made progress.

Hopefully you have the town package w transmission cooler

 

[MPDano]

Hopefully you have the town package w transmission cooler

Yes sir. factory towing package with an itty bitty cooler. I am going to add on another cooler for my insurance. Love my beast of a truck but not sure why they put such a small cooler on them.

 

[whitey hoe]

I also noticed how small

 

[MPDano]

I think even my 1997 Ford Expedition 4x4 XLT had a bigger trans cooler and it was a 1/2 ton.

 

[dantheman]

dropping the pan and replacing the filter is only like 6-7 quarts that will come out. a few quarts are in the converter and the cooler lines. 500 for a flush is a lot.

+1 to the no pressure flush. too many times ive seen a flush blow clutch material off the clutches/bands and cause the trans to fail. its pretty common for a transmission shop to recommend it because you will usually be back for a 5000 dollar replacement shortly after they do the 500 dollar flush.

drain and refill is the only way to rock.

 

[MPDano]

dropping the pan and replacing the filter is only like 6-7 quarts that will come out. a few quarts are in the converter and the cooler lines. 500 for a flush is a lot.

+1 to the no pressure flush. too many times ive seen a flush blow clutch material off the clutches/bands and cause the trans to fail. its pretty common for a transmission shop to recommend it because you will usually be back for a 5000 dollar replacement shortly after they do the 500 dollar flush.

drain and refill is the only way to rock.

The system was flushed and not just a pan drop. It was 14 quarts to fill it back up with Amsoil. "All" fluid had to be removed before Amsoil put in. No mixing.

 

[dantheman]

it doesnt work that way. you cant flush the converter out without leaving residual fluid in unless they pushed through a few quarts of amsoil and drained it back out. the only way you are completely draining a converter is if you have it sitting upside down in a bucket for a few days and it will still have SOME fluid trapped in it because of the way the impeller stator and turbine are designed they can hold a bit in grooves and what not.

all the fluid enters and leaves through the shaft on the front of the impeller so with the engine off, you are only ever going to get around half of the converter empty. i know some imports have drain plugs on the converters but to my knowledge GM never put one on there. Hell they didnt even put one on the pans for most of the 4l6x transmissions.

 

[MPDano]

it doesnt work that way. you cant flush the converter out without leaving residual fluid in unless they pushed through a few quarts of amsoil and drained it back out. the only way you are completely draining a converter is if you have it sitting upside down in a bucket for a few days and it will still have SOME fluid trapped in it because of the way the impeller stator and turbine are designed they can hold a bit in grooves and what not.

all the fluid enters and leaves through the shaft on the front of the impeller so with the engine off, you are only ever going to get around half of the converter empty. i know some imports have drain plugs on the converters but to my knowledge GM never put one on there. Hell they didnt even put one on the pans for most of the 4l6x transmissions.

Good to know. Anyways, service was done and I am running 35 degrees cooler than before. That was the whole point of the flush. Even if there is residual, it's running a whole lot cooler now. I am happy, as is the transmission. Got my Derale cooler in the mail yesterday, just waiting on the GM adapters and time to install.