Transmission Filters

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jan 22, 2005
Messages
176
Location
Florida
What's a good transmission filter to get as an OEM replacement. I am using the standard pan filters and It's time to replace. I was thinking of getting new AcDelco filters and stick with OEM--What's your thoughts?

04 2500hd 4x4 6.0 4l80e
98 Pontiac grand am 3.1
 
AC Delco puts together some good filters, but I don't think you can really go wrong for a transmission filter. I've never had a complaint about the Pro-King filters, they are affordable and the kits come with the gasket.
 
I was told that better than changing the transmission filter is to get a transmission flush. They pump first a dispersent then fresh fluid through the transmission cleaning the filter and replacing all the fluid including what is in the torque converter and cooler.

Best are places that use a variable speed pump that adjusts the flow based upon the return flow. A few places have blown out seals with too high a pressure.
 
I have heard bad things about the flushing of transmissions.

The flushing can cause buildup to come loose in an older tranny and get trapped in passages.This can cause a trans to fail becasue of lack of fluid.

One would have to make sure that it is done right.

I tend to think that for a tranny that is working good and has had reasonable service that a flush would not be needed.

A filter and fluid change should be all that you would need to do.

The filters from O'Reilly's are cheap and come with the gasket.

Most tranny filters keep out the large particles that comes from the wear of friction plates and metal parts.They dont really filter the fluid like an oil filter does.
 
Flushing uses the ATF pump to control fluid amount. All they do is splice inline with the cooler. Don't use any flush chemicals. The complete ATF change is good enough if you go that route.

Anything anyone hears concerning flushes is hearsay and mostly BS.

Don't look for a cheap ATF filter. Buy the OEM or equivalent one from dealer or the autoparts store. When I was at Advancedauto for an ATF filter for my car, only one of the several they stocked was comparable to the OEM in quality. Autozone only stocked one brand which was junk. Pull your filter/gasket from one car and visit the autoparts stores using the other.
And, concerning the pan gasket(if equipped), use a material that is the same as the OEM. Don't buy a filter kit with a cork gasket when your OEM is using a rubber gasket.

When in doubt, stick with OEM.
 
I've always had good luck with the Autozone filters. They're made by Champ and have whichever OEM type gasket you're car came with, and they're pretty cheap price wise.
 
Changing the filter and a portion of the fluid is certainly better than nothing, and is often all that is required. A complete flush is generally preferred, for sure. However, I don't know that I'd do a BG or similar flush on a poorly maintained, old, high mileage tranny. Sometimes it seems like the varnish is all that's holding it together.
tongue.gif
 
I had the good luck of getting trans filter kit from ATP at smaller jobber shops.High quality gaskets and exact fit filter assembly.
 
Never have a tranny flushed!!! (good chance of killing it). Beside that you need to drop the pan anyway to change the filter and clean/inspect the magnet.

Just drop the pan and replace fluid and filter and do it at a more frequent interval then the manufacturer recommends and you don't have to worry about the residual fluid in the torque convertor.
 
quote:

Originally posted by davefr:
Never have a tranny flushed!!! (good chance of killing it).

I do believe this is possible with an older neglected tranny, or with an irresponsible shop; but I don't believe it's the norm.

I've had it done every 30K on a few vehicles now with over 140K miles and no issues thus far - knocking on wood, BTW.
 
Flushing never kills the transmission when done correctly.

The problem is that most people wait for transmission issues, and then get a flush and blame it for the problems they've had.
 
quote:

Originally posted by unDummy:
Flushing never kills the transmission when done correctly.

The problem is that most people wait for transmission issues, and then get a flush and blame it for the problems they've had.


There's a lot of that goes on with a lot of products.
 
the basic point is that flushing isn't necessary. It's overkill and won't make it last one day longer over a properly scheduled drain and refill.

it's your money. Just don't complain about not having enough to put gas in your tank when you frittered it away on a bunch of unnecessary pseudo-maintenance.....
 
I typically try to flush the transmission every 15k in both vehicles--have done it since they were new. The GMC probally wont hit 15k until christmas (15k on the odo..) and the Grand Am will get it in a few weeks.

I change the filters around every 30,000 AFTER I have them flushed out.

With the GMC I will probally go with an AcDelco filter and refill with standard ATF---then have it flushed with Mobil 1 ATF (Unless someone can convince me otherwise)

The Pontiac will get the opposite---flushed then the filter change.

I am a firm believer in flushes--if you do them regularly there should not be a problem. BUT if you have never done it, and the ATF is like Log Cabin maple syrup..better leave it alone.
 
As I said before,a transmission filter does not filter the fluid like an oil filter filters oil.

A trans filter keeps out the big chunks of stuff and that is pretty much it.

Much of the gook in a tranny settles out into the pan and much collects on the pans magnet.

There is a big difference between an oil filter and a trans filter.
 
I am bumping this post up, not to address the original question, but to take it off topic just a bit.

Did anyone else notice motorguy222's post :

quote:

As I said before,a transmission filter does not filter the fluid like an oil filter filters oil.

A trans filter keeps out the big chunks of stuff and that is pretty much it.

Much of the gook in a tranny settles out into the pan and much collects on the pans magnet.

There is a big difference between an oil filter and a trans filter.

On my son's newly purchased '99 Escort at 65,000 miles - dark, not burned fluid(never changed) - this is what I encountered: there was a 1/16" scum layer on the pan bottom, but the SCREEN filter looked nearly new. I changed it anyway, and close inspection revealed very few particles trapped. My guess: about 95% equal to new.

Why does everyone insist on changing trans filters (especially the screens) so often if they don't clog up????


Oh....the NAPA filter looked identical to the OEM, but I was surprised to see it was made in Vietnam.
 
Ever have tires dryrot? belts crack? plastic interior trim pieces break?

Hang out with the ATF filter and experience its life.
Would you want the filter to crumble or break up in use? I've seen a damaged filter ONCE. It became brittle, fell apart, and ruined the tranny.

I recommend a filter change for the sole purpose of removing the pan, cleaning it and the magnets, and for inpsection.
Changing it is your choice. Maybe it'll last forever, maybe it'll biodegrade where it sits(along with the o-ring seal).

Also, there are many ATF filters that aren't simply screens.

I guess its the difference between those who care and those who don't. I don't cut corners when I'm at work or when I'm working on my own cars. My experience is that many people do and it shows in the quality of their work.
 
All it takes is one particle from an invasive tranny flush to clog a valve body and you'll be out $1000's for a tranny rebuild.

Do what you want but tranny flushes are risky.

quote:

Originally posted by Mighty HD:
I typically try to flush the transmission every 15k in both vehicles--have done it since they were new. The GMC probally wont hit 15k until christmas (15k on the odo..) and the Grand Am will get it in a few weeks.

I change the filters around every 30,000 AFTER I have them flushed out.

With the GMC I will probally go with an AcDelco filter and refill with standard ATF---then have it flushed with Mobil 1 ATF (Unless someone can convince me otherwise)

The Pontiac will get the opposite---flushed then the filter change.

I am a firm believer in flushes--if you do them regularly there should not be a problem. BUT if you have never done it, and the ATF is like Log Cabin maple syrup..better leave it alone.


 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top