How to change fluid torque converter 4t65e ????

[2004lesabre]

I’ve searched the forum, google, YouTube. Is there a good tutorial, video or diy on swapping fluid in ours torque converters?

 

[HotZ28]

The best solution is to drop the pan and change the filter. Do not have a complete flush done! The pan drop will require about 7-qts of new fluid. You can install a pan drain while the pan is removed if you want, (after about 2-k miles) so the next drain would not require pan removal. Be sure to use only DEX-V1 rated fluid!

 

[2004lesabre]

Sounds good! I will google the drain bolt install!

 

[imidazol97]

X2 on the multiple drains to refresh the fluid since about half drains at any one time. I was afraid of trying the drain bolt installation in the pan.

I used a small clear vinyl tube down the dipstick tube to siphon the _warm_ trans fluid out rather than dropping the pan again.

After a second drain and fill, you have about 1/4 of the original fluid left. After a third drain and fill only about 1/8 of the original is left.

I put in Dex III replacement when I did the trans and the shift character changed. So I did repeated drains and fills to get mostly Dex VI in.

Cold trans fluid is viscous enough it drains very slowly (even the Dex VI), so I suggest the trans be hot and then cooled about 1/2 hour when I siphoned the next time.

I picked up clear plastic tubing sold by the foot at Lowes, or at most hardware stores. I think it was about 1/4 external diameter?

 

[Blueallie]

The best solution is to drop the pan and change the filter. Do not have a complete flush done! The pan drop will require about 7-qts of new fluid. You can install a pan drain while the pan is removed if you want, (after about 2-k miles) so the next drain would not require pan removal. Be sure to use only DEX-V1 rated fluid!

Perticular reason for dex vi? Thought that was bad for the dex 3 transmissions? I was told it acts as a cleaner and and shift problems start?

 

[HotZ28]

Perticular reason for dex vi? Thought that was bad for the dex 3 transmissions? I was told it acts as a cleaner and and shift problems start?

You were evidently totally misinformed!!

 

[Blueallie]

You were evidently totally misinformed!!

Do you have any data to back up what you’re saying? I’m asking because I’ve found a lot of con

You were evidently totally misinformed!!

Please explain.
There is a lot of information to the contrary of what you’re saying about dex 6 in a 4t65-e.
That’s why I’m trying to see what your reasoning is for the dex 6. I’m getting conflicting information and trying to form an answer.

 

[RobR]

I dont think any Dex III out there on the shelves is required to meet GMs specifications. I read that somewhere. Given that GM used this transmission for 14 years you would think they pretty much know by now what fluid to use in it,and they reccomend Dex VI

 

[LARRY70GS]

All Dexron is backwards compatible. Dex6 is vastly superior, it is fully synthetic. I have been using it for the last 6 or 7 years. I currently have almost 200,000 miles on the original transmission in my 98 Riviera. Shifts are mint. Fluid changes every 20,000 miles since I bought the car in 2004 with 86,000 on it.

 

[2004lesabre]

I thought dex vi is an upgrade and replaces any dex specs.

 

[RobR]

Correct.

 

[buickmechanico]

Not sure why a member said not to flush the transmission fluid. If there is dirt/ grime from long intermittent periods without changing the transmission fluid then it is absolutely good practice to perform a transmission fluid flush which consequently changes the fluid surrounding the torque converter as well. Here is an in-depth article on how to perform it on the 4T65E for reference: DIY 4T65-E Transmission Fluid Flush - TIME BUSINESS NEWS

 

[imidazol97]

From the linked article: " It is important to note that pressurized transmission flush is not recommended for high mileage vehicles that have not routinely been flushed. The recommended service for these vehicles is a filter or fluid change."

That means high mileage transmissions, should not be flushed. That would be especially true of those with 'long intermittent [sic] periods without changing the transmission fluid.'

The preferred method is to replace the half the fluid that drains with the pan off. Fill with new, then drive the 50/50 mixture for several hundred miles. This gives time for the new detergents and additives in the fresh fluid to pick up some of the things that are left from the old fluid's time when it had lost its additive power to keep things dissolved.

Repeat process and then the 75/25 mixture can be driven several hundred miles to effect more cleaning. I changed mine 2 times by siphoning the fluid out via the dipstick and refilling. Easy. Peasy. First time I changed filter and dropped the pan, then repeated 2 more.