Poor Man's ATF change-relative merits

[bobnorth]

If I drained one quart per week of ATF fluid and replaced it with new fluid, and did this say 5 weeks in a row, what might be the relative merits/downside of this procedure? I've read the posts on cross-contamination, but for the time being isn't this still better than not changing the fluid at all. The "drop the pan and flush" procedure is more than I have time for. Comments?

[Chris Crash]

Originally Posted by bobnorth

If I drained one quart per week of ATF fluid and replaced it with new fluid, and did this say 5 weeks in a row, what might be the relative merits/downside of this procedure? I've read the posts on cross-contamination, but for the time being isn't this still better than not changing the fluid at all. The "drop the pan and flush" procedure is more than I have time for. Comments?

I don't think it would do much...

Dropping the pan doesn't take long at all. Well, I've never done it on this car, but on most you just unbolt it..drop it, new filter, clean the magnets, new gasket and put it back on!

Shouldn't take you but a half hour.

[carsrus]

Theres a drain plug on the pan.

Drain and refill takes about 2.5 quarts and changes around half the fluid.

It literally takes 5min.

[Camry LE 94]

I recently did a complete trans. flush by myself for the first time. It really wasn't hard at all. All you need is the hose and a clamp to connect the tranny cooler line to a hose that drains into a bucket. Just follow the procedure in the DIY section step-by-step. It's a big sigh of relief to see all of the old fluid being pumped out!

[fenixus]

you will need a hex bit to open the drain plug on tranny. once you have it, it should be a piece of cake to drain it out.

as posted above, flushing per DIY would be best per results. though if you have any trouble with tranny then lots of people would suggest dropping the pan, cleaning all that crap out (make sure magnets are in correct locations, there are 3 of them), clean/change strainer and replace the gasket, put it back together. i haven't done it yet myself on solara (did it once on ford probe), but planning to do it in summer.

also when doing simple drain and refill you can also consider doing same on differential (first loose the fill plug before you open the drain bolt !!!!), there is a DIY on that too.

[Judge2]

Another schedule is each time you do an oil change, also drain about 2.5 of ATF. Your are going to be working in the same place, and have the drain pan out anyway.

[Rattlin_Steele]

Originally Posted by bobnorth

If I drained one quart per week of ATF fluid and replaced it with new fluid, and did this say 5 weeks in a row, what might be the relative merits/downside of this procedure? I've read the posts on cross-contamination, but for the time being isn't this still better than not changing the fluid at all. The "drop the pan and flush" procedure is more than I have time for. Comments?

Based on my readings on this forum, there is clearly some merit in doing what you suggest. Obviously dropping/cleaning pan & full flush would be better, but I've read where some are fearful of doing a full flush, and the suggestion is then to do as you describe (although not necessarily every week, more like every future oil change).

[BamZipPow]

You can practice on yer power steering system first...since it uses ATF, too.

[JohnGD]

I personally think dropping the pan, replacing out the strainer with a new one that includes a new gasket, wiping clean the wear debris (black sludge) and reinstalling the pan with a new cork-rubber gasket would be better.

However, short of that, repeated drains/refills work too. However, this won't remove the sludge that's already on the bottom of the pan and it won't wipe clean the magnets for you. But Walmart dino D-III ATF is reasonably priced at about $9-10 per gallon.

In your daily drives, I'd first make sure the ATF is in the HOT area of the dipstick before draining. And then measure what you drain out and just add that amount back in. It's faster that way. Also, cleanliness and fluid level accuracy are important. Don't forget the differential fluid as well.

Originally Posted by bobnorth

If I drained one quart per week of ATF fluid and replaced it with new fluid, and did this say 5 weeks in a row, what might be the relative merits/downside of this procedure? I've read the posts on cross-contamination, but for the time being isn't this still better than not changing the fluid at all. The "drop the pan and flush" procedure is more than I have time for. Comments?