I just want to know if the aamco tranny power purge or similar is safe for our cruiser. Ny truck has 145k miles. I know the fluid and filter have been changed about 7 times in its life. Currently, the tranny is perfectly fine, the fluid is still red and doesnt smell burnt. This power purge sounds like a good deal since they will do it for free for the life of the car after you pay a 1 time fee of only $100. Any reccomendation? Advantages or disadvantaged. I do know that they wont do this job if you have transmission problems
Aamco Transmission Power purge safe or reccomended?
- Thread starter 92FJ
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MoJ
Moderator
Search for this topic and I think you'll find most folks just do a series of drain/refills to change out the tranny fluid. I've been scared of flushes as I've seen two vehicles with no problems develop problems after flushing the transmission.
NorCalDoug
problems solved daily...
If your tranny fluid is fine, why mess with it?
I think it would be easier in the long run to do a drain/fill of what's in the pan whenever you do an oil change. You don't swap it all out by doing this, but you do end up with relatively fresh tranny fluid in your rig at all times (after a few iterations of this).
I think it would be easier in the long run to do a drain/fill of what's in the pan whenever you do an oil change. You don't swap it all out by doing this, but you do end up with relatively fresh tranny fluid in your rig at all times (after a few iterations of this).
NO!
The one common killer for A442's and A343's is a "power flush".
Unless the power flush has been done regularly since new, it is a high risk situation.
Just drain, refill & drive and repeat as many times as you like.
The one common killer for A442's and A343's is a "power flush".
Unless the power flush has been done regularly since new, it is a high risk situation.
Just drain, refill & drive and repeat as many times as you like.
semlin
curmudgeon
you can also go with a neutral pressure complete flush using the tranny cooler hoses. there is a write up here somewhere.
92FJ said:
If you've decided a power flush is in your Cruisers near future, have a reputable Toyota dealer do it - they run specials $99??? - can't remember what I paid 2 years ago. I experienced not a single problem - shifts effortlessly. I would hate for something go wrong :whoops: and have to go back to Aamco to get it right - scary scenario - tranny's are too expensive and vital to mess with. Radiator flush I might outsource - just maybe.
BOUNDER said:
If you've decided a power flush is in your future, think again. I ruined my 1st ('93) FZJ80's tranny that way when I power flushed it at around 80k mi. with unknown previous maintenance history. Tranny worked just fine before the flush, but needed a rebuild very shortly after. Don't buy the hype- either drain and refill a few times until the fluid is clean, or do it the neutral pressure way as someone (I think e9999999) described in a write-up.
DO NOT POWER FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, PERIOD.
Use only equipment that utilizes the transmission's oil pump and DO NOT introduce any "flushing" chemicals.
Use only equipment that utilizes the transmission's oil pump and DO NOT introduce any "flushing" chemicals.
Had a trans guy once give me the reasons not to do this.
Modern transmissions have passages designed to let particulate matter settle out. Power flushing cleans all those areas out and sends all that particulate matter through the rest of the trans, negating the reason why they were engineered there in the first place.
A downside of cars being way better than they have ever been is the money lost to the service industry. good for us, bad for them. They have found some pretty shady ways to make up the difference. Engine and Trans flushes are among the worst.
Modern transmissions have passages designed to let particulate matter settle out. Power flushing cleans all those areas out and sends all that particulate matter through the rest of the trans, negating the reason why they were engineered there in the first place.
A downside of cars being way better than they have ever been is the money lost to the service industry. good for us, bad for them. They have found some pretty shady ways to make up the difference. Engine and Trans flushes are among the worst.
Just had my tranny flashed and refilled by the dealer today. They used this Dexxron detergent chemical to clean inside via the tranny dipstick nozzle. I or the mechanic did not notice any difference or leaks. The mechanic told me if there's any leak, it will occur after 500 miles or it will not occur at all if there's no leak in 500 miles. So I will let you all know what happens next week.
As for power flush, I did AAMCO power flush on my Xterra early this year. I did not have any problem. However, I could not tell you for our 80s. My $0.02.
As for power flush, I did AAMCO power flush on my Xterra early this year. I did not have any problem. However, I could not tell you for our 80s. My $0.02.
Riad said:
Just wondering- did you read this thread before going out and getting a tranny flush with detergents? The concern is more than just leaks- it is premature transmission failure. Good luck!
- Thread starter
- #15
Hi there. Thanks guys. I didnt do the flush. I just wanted to know how you guys felt on this. I too now dont trust the whole tranny flushing procedure. I will just stick to the old fashion drain refil and cleaning of the pan.
Riad said:
Well, as BOUNDER mentioned, I went ahead and did it because the dealer had a special. I told them flushing with detergent will cause premature failure. They told me it never happend so far, for all the 80s and 60s they have flushed in past couple years. And they keep coming back for services. But if it dies early, I guess I can say :whoops:. But until then I am just gonna keep on wheeling.
.
I operate 1/2 a dozen lube centers in central Texas. When a vehicle comes in with that kind of mileage requesting a transmission service, we make the customer sign a waiver removing us from any liability. The reason for this (as you've read in previous post) is a full tranny flush can send the transmission into a "state of shock". This is the repeated term I've heard expressed by people in the business for many years. Our general rule is, if your transmission works fine, don't do anything more than drain and replace the fluid, and some guys won't even do that! Now if the tranny has been serviced repeatedly at regular intervals throughout the life of the vehicle, then I wouldn't worry about it; go ahead and perform the tranny flush. Otherwise, I would avoid this service unless the transmission is giving you problems already. Then you have nothing to lose.
I had to sign sort of waiver for my Xterra with AAMCO. Didn't hurt anyway. I guess every one has different scenario. Also I guess there's a difference between pressurized flush and fluid change flush. Toyota dealer uses a fluid change type of flush. They hook up one hose via tranny fill and and the other one comes out via the drain plug or the cooler line, not sure which one. The mechanic keep watching the water color hose until clean fluid is coming out. It is not pressurized it is simple fluid replacement what the majority seems to be doing over time with number of fluid changes. They usesd 16 qts of tranny fluid to clean the tranny and another 16 to fill it. Which brings me to my question that I have been meaning to ask. If you cannot get all the fluid out by just simple drain and fill on your drive way, aren't you mixing old fluid with new? Is that healthy? I guess doing multiple times frequently can give you clean fluid eventually but I still don't see it. Maybe I am missing something. Anyway, AAMCO did it differently though, as far as I remember they had it pressurized. They let the machine run for certain time, no one's watching or any thing. Bottom line, I think there's a huge difference between "flush" from the dealer and the "power flush" from AAMCO.
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