Transmission fluid flush/change at 160,000 miles

[Bcox]

Looking at a 2009 Tahoe LTZ. Has 162,000 miles. Maintenance has been kept up with as far as oil changes and things. In great shape! Transmission fluid has not been changed. I’ve read where some say at this high mileage don’t do it but some say you still should. Should i walk away on this one? Are there concerns with the transmission at this mileage? Guy is asking $14,500.

 

[gooffeyguy]

6.2l?

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon XL Denali
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[swathdiver]

Is the going rate in your area? Seems a little high for Florida right now.

As for the transmission, hmm... If I really liked that particular one and could budget for a rebuild, I would change the fluid, especially if it runs and shifts fine. There is an internal transmission oil life monitor that can be viewed with an advanced scan tool. Mine was in the 30% range at 117K miles. Changed it and all was still good.

 

[Bcox]

6.2l?

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon XL Denali
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

It’s a 5.3

 

[intheburbs]

162k, and the trans fluid has never been replaced? Only way I'd buy that is if the seller knocks $3k off the price for the inevitable rebuild/replace of the transmission.

And I never understood the whole, "Don't change the fluid" mentality. The trans fluid is shot - has no lubricity, probably has water in it, additives are all gone, why would you leave it in? Is that going to cause LESS damage than putting in good, fresh trans fluid?

That's the one reason I take my trucks to the dealership. For a full trans flush.

 

[Miami-Dade]

That's the one reason I take my trucks to the dealership. For a full trans flush.

I am amazed how many people let quick lube places change out their trans fluid. I also only let the dealer change out the trans fluid no matter how old or how many miles on the vehicle.

 

[Big Mama]

Are you sure it’s never been changed? If so the fluid would be dark brown and probably smell burnt hard to believe a truck in great shape didn’t have this done. To answer questions yes change it but have a dealer or trans shop check it before you buy it.

 

[intheburbs]

One more thing...I just rolled 100k on my Denali. Trans was last serviced at 60k. Truck is at the dealership right now for a flush. They pulled a sample off the dipstick, and it was already brown. Didn't smell too burnt, but it was definitely not a pretty pinkish-red any more. And that's only with 40k miles on it, no towing. And since they already have it, I'm having both axles and the t-case done as well.

 

[thompsoj22]

162k, and the trans fluid has never been replaced? Only way I'd buy that is if the seller knocks $3k off the price for the inevitable rebuild/replace of the transmission.

And I never understood the whole, "Don't change the fluid" mentality. The trans fluid is shot - has no lubricity, probably has water in it, additives are all gone, why would you leave it in? Is that going to cause LESS damage than putting in good, fresh trans fluid?

That's the one reason I take my trucks to the dealership. For a full trans flush.

The apprehension in changing trans fluid that is "shot" "no lubricity" "no additives remaining" "has water in it" is based upon actual flushes that go bad. The degraded fluid produces more pressure/friction as it is thicker and full of trans component wear sediment. it is all working in harmony and headed for certain failure at an unknown time. by changing the fluid you pull the trigger and kill it on your terms.

last thought to the OP. You are in the market for vehicle. IMO keep looking for one with the 6.2 6 spd. you wont regret the power/torque of the bigger engine.

 

[07YUKONXL534x4]

Dirty fluid should make you nervous. A full transmission flush would likely result in an extremely shortened lifespan whereas if you just left the fluid alone and ran with it, you may get another 50-100k miles out of it. But definitely budget for the trans rebuild down the road either way.

Another solution I have heard mechanics mention is if the fluid is noticeably dirty, just drop the pan, drain whatever fluid comes out, swap the filter, replace pan and top it off. You can repeat this some time down the road to get even more new fluid into the system, but I definitely would not flush it, ever.

 

[steve45]

I NEVER change transmission fluid and would not be afraid of this vehicle. I've had a few transmission failures in my nearly 2 million miles of driving, and NOT A SINGLE ONE WAS DUE TO NOT CHANGING THE FLUID. Every failure was due to some sort of part breaking inside.

Replacing fluid that old with new is just asking for leaks and slippage. Don't do it and don't worry about it.

BTW, I generally buy my vehicles with 80-100K miles and sell them at 200-300K. Oh, I don't change spark plugs anymore, either!

 

[rv8pilot]

In 2015 I bought a 2001 Yukon XL with 231,000 miles, original engine and transmission. The trans shifted fine with no slippage noticeable. Along with all the other fluids except engine oil neither the trans fluid or the filter had ever been changed. The fluid was still fairly clean and had a tinge of red. I dropped the pan and found little crud in it and not much on the magnet. I changed the filter and flushed the fluid with approximately 3 gallons of inexpensive fluid. I drove on this for a few hundred miles and repeated the process with the correct synthetic fluid. I now have close to 250,000 miles on it including a cross-country trip and it continues to operate properly as does the engine.

 

[rico387]

I had a trans flush done on my high mile K1500 against advice. A month later, I was shopping for a new transmission. On a high mile trans, a “spill and fill” is best.

 

[NathanS]

I also do not recommend flushing a trans that’s never had a flush before. Just drain replace filter and refill is all that’s needed. I would not let this keep me from buying as long as it shifts fine now.

 

[Meccanoble]

I NEVER change transmission fluid and would not be afraid of this vehicle. I've had a few transmission failures in my nearly 2 million miles of driving, and NOT A SINGLE ONE WAS DUE TO NOT CHANGING THE FLUID. Every failure was due to some sort of part breaking inside.

Replacing fluid that old with new is just asking for leaks and slippage. Don't do it and don't worry about it.

BTW, I generally buy my vehicles with 80-100K miles and sell them at 200-300K. Oh, I don't change spark plugs anymore, either!

Your transmission failures are most likely related to not changing fluids. I'm sure you werent doing anything crazy when "the part breaks inside". The transmission just gave up after all the abuse. I find it hard to believe you can survive 200k miles without changing plugs or tranny fluid but definitely doable with 100k miles.

I do agree you risk revealing your issues by changing the fluids at high mileage.

 

[dnt1010]

I have been looking at my recently acquired 200k mile 2009 Tahoe 2ML70 4 spd trans for a couple of weeks. It currently seems to be shifting fine but I cannot determine from the service records that came with it if the trans fluid has ever been changed. I see a drain plug in the trans pan and I am thinking about just draining the pan and refilling with same amount of new fluid so I can get a good look at the fluid. I wonder how much will drain out when I pull the plug? If the fluid looks nasty I may pull the pan look for sludge and replace the filter.

 

[thompsoj22]

I have been looking at my recently acquired 200k mile 2009 Tahoe 2ML70 4 spd trans for a couple of weeks. It currently seems to be shifting fine but I cannot determine from the service records that came with it if the trans fluid has ever been changed. I see a drain plug in the trans pan and I am thinking about just draining the pan and refilling with same amount of new fluid so I can get a good look at the fluid. I wonder how much will drain out when I pull the plug? If the fluid looks nasty I may pull the pan look for sludge and replace the filter.

approx 3 to 4 qts will drain. just pull the dipstick and place it on a clean white paper towel to determine fluid color. the fact that it has a drain plug increases the odd's of at least drain and fill's have been performed. Careful poking the bear that is perfectly content and not making a fuss.

 

[dnt1010]

Good thinking. I will pull the dipstick and try the paper towel test. I have some Dexron VI that I used in the tranaxle to compare it to. Hopefully it will be comparable. Will get that done tomorrow after the kids open presents. I bought a Christmas present for the ** )on sale at my local TSC). Jeff Foxworthy would probably say "You Might Be a RedNeck if you run a Hook and Shackle Rear Hitch on Your **" Hahahahahaha

 

[thompsoj22]

Good thinking. I will pull the dipstick and try the paper towel test. I have some Dexron VI that I used in the tranaxle to compare it to. Hopefully it will be comparable. Will get that done tomorrow after the kids open presents. I bought a Christmas present for the ** )on sale at my local TSC). Jeff Foxworthy would probably say "You Might Be a RedNeck if you run a Hook and Shackle Rear Hitch on Your **" Hahahahahaha
View attachment 212836

you have to determine if the stigma,ghost stories,fear tactic's and reality of doing a trans flush is worth the risk. as posted above, he flushed and had a great result which could also be your experience. IMO since the vehicle is new to you, just drive it and get to know it for say 10k miles and see if any issues come up. If the trans performs perfectly during that time than drop the pan and do a filter and partial fluid replacement, if that go's well for 10k miles than do a complete flush without removing the pan as you have a drain plug and the filter only having 10k miles will be good.

 

[Lancem]

Just did a flush on my new to me 2000 Suburban with 250K. Fluid was very dark but not burnt, no idea of the history. Since the flush several thousand miles of heavy towing and not a problem, I'm glad I did the flush and at the same time added an additional cooler.