Very High Mileage Tansmission - Fluid Change?

[rob2337]

Hey, I just bought a 95 Explorer with a bit of fixing up to do. The truck has 130K on it and the Transmission fluid is dark brown and has the "burnt toast" smell to it. I suspect it has never been changed. It also shifts a bit rough, but I can live with it. Do I do a pan + filter change with a flush or not? 95 transmissions are a bit stronger than the previous years, how long to they generally last without towing?

Also is it better to change the filter once, then change it again two weeks later to make sure any junk caught in the filter from the flush doesn't circulate around?
Thanks.

 

[jimbo74]

welcome to the site, if there are no current tranny problems a filter change and then a full pressure flush would be fine....

 

[snocross1985]

I say drop the pan and change the filter. Then flush out the old fluid and fill with new.

 

[Glacier991]

A tough call.... I'd definitely change the filter.... Here is just a thought, do the posted version of a flush, then drop the pan (clean fluid wasted) and change the filter and top off... I think that is your best bet here. NO POWER FLUSHING!

 

[snocross1985]

Oh ya, definitley no power flushing. It's not a very good idea. Find Aldive's post here on how he flushes his tranny fluid. It's a much better method of flushing.

 

[aldive]

Power flushing is bad advice; please don't do it.

While you are at it, the addition of an external filter is a prudent move.

Good luck ....