I recently purchased a 95 Buick Lesabre (3.8L series II FWD). I am going back and forth on whether to change the transmission fluid based on differing advice sources.
The car has 129k miles. Of course I changed the air filter and motor oil/filter first thing. It was driven most of its life by a girl who did little maintenance and often left the motor oil in for longer than would be advisable (often 5-7k mi on whatever a kwik lube put in for $20).
I fixed intermittent misfires with a new fuel filter (one that came off was stamped AC Delco whew! it was actually packed with sludge).
I work with a couple former GM mechanics who say the conventional wisdom is that the wear metal and particles in fluid that old actually helps the clutches grip and new fluid would likely cause slipping and transmission failure in a transmission with that many miles and no prior service at regular intervals (Their basic advice boils down to if the normal transmission fluid change intervals have been skipped by that much its worse to begin regular transmission service intervals with so many miles).
I don't know that I buy their analysis as they also advised changing all the coil packs and cam / crank sensors to fix the misfire (standard plugs/wires was done early on) - I fixed it for $12 (fuel filter) using my gut instinct, but I'm better with troubleshooting motors than transmissions.
I would like input from the forum as to their experiences and advice here.
The current fluid does not have a burnt look but does look heavy on metal and clutch particles (leaves grey pink with little orange and no brown on a white napkin when checked).
The transmission currently shifts great and runs fine and I would like to keep it that way.
If I do a fluid flush I will probably use Valvoline Maxlife dex/merc unless there is a better suggestion at a similar or better price point ($5.99/qt). The car takes 11.1 qt so even maxlife is a bit pricey imo... though I use M1 5w-30 HM or EP for motors in anything I drive so I shouldn't cheapskate out here.
Also any advice on the best way to flush/fill this transmission would be great, though I expect the google to help me here.
All feedback is welcome.
Thanks,
Aaron
The car has 129k miles. Of course I changed the air filter and motor oil/filter first thing. It was driven most of its life by a girl who did little maintenance and often left the motor oil in for longer than would be advisable (often 5-7k mi on whatever a kwik lube put in for $20).
I fixed intermittent misfires with a new fuel filter (one that came off was stamped AC Delco whew! it was actually packed with sludge).
I work with a couple former GM mechanics who say the conventional wisdom is that the wear metal and particles in fluid that old actually helps the clutches grip and new fluid would likely cause slipping and transmission failure in a transmission with that many miles and no prior service at regular intervals (Their basic advice boils down to if the normal transmission fluid change intervals have been skipped by that much its worse to begin regular transmission service intervals with so many miles).
I don't know that I buy their analysis as they also advised changing all the coil packs and cam / crank sensors to fix the misfire (standard plugs/wires was done early on) - I fixed it for $12 (fuel filter) using my gut instinct, but I'm better with troubleshooting motors than transmissions.
I would like input from the forum as to their experiences and advice here.
The current fluid does not have a burnt look but does look heavy on metal and clutch particles (leaves grey pink with little orange and no brown on a white napkin when checked).
The transmission currently shifts great and runs fine and I would like to keep it that way.
If I do a fluid flush I will probably use Valvoline Maxlife dex/merc unless there is a better suggestion at a similar or better price point ($5.99/qt). The car takes 11.1 qt so even maxlife is a bit pricey imo... though I use M1 5w-30 HM or EP for motors in anything I drive so I shouldn't cheapskate out here.
Also any advice on the best way to flush/fill this transmission would be great, though I expect the google to help me here.
All feedback is welcome.
Thanks,
Aaron