Bucket method tranny flush for 1998-2002 Mazda 626

[hominid7]

Anyone ever done the DIY bucket tranny flush method for a 1998-2002 Mazda 626-V6 with 4 speed auto tranny?

The 1998-2002 doesn't have the traditional cooler hoses going into the radiator, instead it uses some kind of heat exhanger method, but locating just which hose and where to disconnect has been rather challenging.

Any mazda specialist in the room?

Thanks!

 

[leel]

Try looking here. http://www.mazda626.net/index.php?s=f80fac09b37c405d459c805cd3bba0cd&http://www.mazda626.net

 

[hominid7]

Thanks, but i'm already a member there and nobody seems to know anything, which is why i was trying here

ALL of the instructions and/or advice thus far on bucket flushing a 626 are all for pre-1998 cars with the traditional radiator cooler set-up, not for the 1998+ cooler-heat exchange set-up.

 

[PT1]

Same issue on the wifes toyota...it has cooler lines but so difficult to get to I have just decided to drain & refill 4 times with every oil change. I am at drain #3 as of this weekend and the trans oil is coming out a lot cleaner now. The dealer wants $168 to flush the trans which is enough to buy 38 quarts of trans fluid. I'm at 10 qts now and almost completely clean and the trans shifts like new with 100k on the clock. You might want to rething flushing. If you have no drain plug get one og those fluid extractors and suck the oil out of the dipstick tube.

 

[hominid7]

I ended up going to Shell rapid lube and got mine flushed. They charged me 103.00 (including tax) which was considerably cheaper than the dealer. The owner did it, and asked if i wanted to come out to the bay, and he explained everything he did while he did it, which i appreciated.

In seeing where he disconnected the lines, its obvious on my car that the only way to get to them is from under the car, with alot of room to work. The lines are on either side of the tranny near the bottom.

I felt confident in the work they did, the guy actually seemed to know what he was doing. However my only question now is what *exactly* was in the bulk tank they used. The label on the hose said "Formula Shell Dexron/Mercon III". In looking at Shells website, they have 2 different Dex/Mercon fluids, one sold in quarts and gallons that is DexronIII(H)/Mercon and one that is a multi vehicle formula that is DexronIII(H)/MerconV, but it shows to be sold in 55 gallon drums and bulk. Either is really ok, as my car just calls for DexronIII/Mercon, but i'd just like to know.

Regardless, my tranny is shifting smooth as ever and the fluid is completely clean, clear and red.