Based on what GM recommends (pan dropping), you will always have some level of "dirty" fluid in the trans. It will be in the torque converter and still coating various internal components. I know I have at least one car mixed with DexIII and DexVI (based on DexIII still being in the torque converter when I pan dropped).

I think the key is regular fluid changes, no later then 100,000 miles. Then, the amount of old fluid and any contaminants in the fluid is minimal. When I pan drop, I also wipe down the pan and the magnet in the pan until it's all clean.

All said and done, the important part is to maintain it and keep up with maintenance intervals. Any of us that have maintained cars for a long time have developed our own methods of "what works for us" and if it's working, it's hard to justify changing our practices.

 

Sooo being 87k miles..I should do a pan drop....lol.

 

I pan drop all my trans fluid changes (and I do mine at 100K or sooner, Monte was done at 70K). Has yet to fail me.

At less then 100K miles, I am sure you will be OK with what ever service you decide.

 

as a service manager, i always inform my customers that want a transmission flush, that it shouldn't be performed if the vehicle is 100k miles or more, UNLESS it has already been done as general maintenance...the problem with "pan dropping" is, you are only removing ABOUT 1/2 of the fluid that is in the trans...the rest is in the accum pistons, torque converter, and some that is in the valve body...a 4t65e, for instance holds almost 8 qts of trans fluid in the pan...

 

I get where you are coming from about getting all the old fluid out. I do that with my oil changes (heck, I'm the guy that puts a little oil in the filter before I screw it on).

One thing that concerns me with a fluid flush is most places don't change the filter. I feel that is important to have done at least every 100K miles (no later). So both options present good and bad points (unless you flush and change filter, then you get it all).

Everyone has what works for them and their reasons to stand by them. You work as a shop manager and see many more cars then I wrench on. I just know that all the cars I've owned and did pans drops on never seemed to have transmission issues. The last high miles car I had was a '94 Grand Am, sold it with 215K miles, pan dropped it twice (at 100K and 200K), trans and engine never had any issues (and I drove that car hard too). I sold it as a running car a couple years ago (I sold it because the body was rusting pretty bad, otherwise, I would probably still be driving it).

From what I've read, the people that as you mentioned, keep with regular fluid flushes seem fine. It's the people that neglect proper maintenance that are not fine (then it doesn't matter what method they use, they are screwed). I think that is the biggest key, keep up with a regular maintenance (whether its a flush or a pan drop, just make sure you do it at appropriate intervals).

I hope that makes sense

 

i totally agree with ya maniac...the good thing about flushes that people don't know is the flush, backflushes the filter...so it does get alot of dirt and contamination out...however, like me i do recommend to have the filter and flush done...just as maintenance...the bad thing is this: once you do drop the pan to replace the filter, of course, you have to install new fluid to perform the flush...therefore, you use much more fluid than just a traditional flush of 16 qts of cherry juice....there are so many people that just don't understand the importance of this type of maintenance...when i approach someone while talking to them about this type of service, i ask them why they change the oil in their car...90% of their answers are "i was told too" LOL...i try to explain that normal maintenance needs to be performed other than oil changes to keep their vehicle for longevity and performance...

 

I love the people that give you a blank stare and ask,"theres a filter in the transmission?" Roflmao

 

LOL...very true...i have even had people ask "do i even have spark plugs?" ...gotta love clueless people...people NEVER read their owners manual and maintenance intervals..anymore the owners manual is a dvd SMH

 

It is amazing, car manufacturers give us for more information in the owners book. Heck, they even give us a suggested maintenance schedule (not sure when that started, but it's there). I look at the manual to my '84 Camaro, that is a leaflet compared to the Monte manual. Some of that is the Monte has newer features, like air bags, but still the amount of additional information in today's manual is a LOT.

@DJ, thanks for providing your information on a transmission flush. I've never done a flush on any of my cars and there are a lot of myths out there about them (I'm guilty of believing or being skeptic to some). You are one of a few members that have come on MCF that work in a shop and do these flushes. It helps to hear experience vs myth. Not just that, wise advise to re-enforce maintenance.
Over the years, we've all heard "don't do a flush, my trans died right after". The problem never attached to that claim was, how many miles has it been since the car has a trans fluid service? Or was the trans already having issues. All I can say is, I heard the claims, but there is more to each story and I'll never know.

BTW - I never heard trans fluid call "cherry juice". I like that!

 

i am very glad that i can help anyone out...not only is working as a service manager a job, to me, it's also a passion for cars...i love being that liason between the technician and the customer...even when i was a technician, it was a satisfaction to getting the job done...as for the cherry juice, just don't drink it LOL