- GM service bulletin on Fluid flushes GM has issued a service bulletin 04-06-01-029E to address Transmission flush, engine flush, Unnecessary Flushing Services and Additive Recommendations on the following vehicles: 2011 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks (including Saturn); 2010 and or HUMMER H2, H3 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X Unless stated otherwise in your owner’s manual, GM states that “under normal usage GM vehicles do not require any additional procedures or additives beyond what is advised
Are fluid flushes necessary?
Unless your vehicle’s maintenance schedule specifically calls for a fluid flush, you should never need one. Some manufacturers do require a flush as part of regular maintenance, but it’s not too common. A system suffers a catastrophic failure that contaminates the fluid with debris.
How much does it cost to get car fluids flushed?
Expect to pay $75 to $150 for an ATF change or $125 to $300 for a complete flush.
What does a fluid flush consist of?
A fluid flush involves draining all of a certain type of fluid out of your vehicle and replacing it with new, pristine fluid. While different vehicles have different recommended service intervals, every manufacturer recommends changing your fluids at regular intervals.
Is an engine flush worth it?
Is an engine flush necessary? A good engine flush can help loosen deposits and dissolve sludge, returning your engine to like-new condition. However, in old engines with high miles, the engine sludge may be the only barrier keeping engine oil from seeping through worn or cracked seals.
Can flushing your transmission cause problems?
Almost every car manufacturer recommends against using transmission flushing chemicals, and most will void your transmission warranty if they can prove these chemicals are being used. These chemicals can damage your transmission, which is why most automakers recommend against them.
How much should a coolant flush cost?
The average cost for a coolant flush is between $71 and $115 for the parts and labor on this relatively short job. The parts will only be a fraction of that cost, running somewhere between $15 and $30 for a coolant flush.
How often should I flush my car fluids?
At Matt’s Automotive we recommend having your first flush at around 30,000 miles and then every 30,000 miles after during the life of your vehicle. This should ensure the longevity of your vehicle by having all your systems operating at their best.
How often should fluids be changed in car?
Generally, every three years or 30,000 miles, but every manufacturer has different specifications with regard to interval and type of fluid.
Which is better transmission flush or change?
A transmission fluid change will help to restore your system to good working order and is the cheaper option. It is also a relatively simple task that can be undertaken by vehicle owners. A transmission fluid flush is more costly, but will replace all of the fluid and any contaminants that have built up in the system.
What is a transmission flush service?
A transmission flush will remove old, dirty fluids and replace them with new, clean fluids. A proper flush should also involve a transmission servicing. Included in this service should be: Fluid drain and removal within the entire system. Installing new pan gasket.
Does a transmission flush clean the torque converter?
Things you should know about a transmission flush: » A fluid flush will not repair an internal transmission problem. The flushing process, when done correctly, replaces nearly 100% of the old fluid with new fluid, including fluid in the torque converter and oil cooler lines.
Does GM recommended engine flush?
GM technical service bulletins state: ‘General Motors Corp. does not endorse or recommend engine crankcase flushing for any of its gasoline engines.
Does engine flush damage your engine?
As General Motors alludes to in the publication above, engine flushes can damage your engine. The chemicals in flushing additives can damage engine seals, leading to expensive repairs in the event of an oil leak. These chemicals can also damage engine bearings; turbochargers and other oil-lubricated components.
Does synthetic oil clean sludge?
All modern motor oils contain detergents that will to a greater or lessor extent “clean sludge”. But some do it better and for a longer period of time than others. Yes, synthetic oil cleans sludge.
GM service bulletin on Fluid flushes
Service bulletin 04-06-01-029E has been published by General Motors to address the following issues: transmission flush, engine flush, Unnecessary Flushing Services, and Additive Recommendations for the following vehicles: Passenger cars and trucks manufactured by General Motors (including Saturn) in 2011 and earlier; 2010 and or HUMMER H2, H32005-2009 Saab 9-7XU General Motors maintains that ‘under normal operation, GM cars do not require any extra procedures or additives beyond those recommended under the previous Vehicle Maintenance Schedules or the current Simplified Maintenance Schedules,’ unless otherwise mentioned in your owner’s handbook.
Additionally, General Motors expressly disapproves of and does not promote engine crankcase cleansing for any of its gasoline engines.
Some engines may require fuel injector cleaning, which GM recognizes as a necessity; nevertheless, this process is not necessary under normal conditions and is not included in the engine’s
maintenance requirements.
Flushing of transmission coolers and power steering systems is also recognized practice.
The use of external machinery to change the fluid may have an adverse effect on the transmission’s performance or durability.
Rick Muscoplat posted a blog entry on
The Big Flush! TSB’s that Say DO NOT DO FLUSHES!
Flushing the Mopar Coolant System
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Coolant System Flush for the Dodge Ram
C7 A8 Transmission fluid change
Coolant System Flush for the Mopar
Transmission Flushes – My Garage
Transmission flushes are a common up-sell at lube shops and other vehicle service firms, and for good reason. Performing a transmission flush (as detailed in this article) consists of attaching a machine to your car’s transmission cooler lines and allowing the machine to pump new transmission fluid into the vehicle while simultaneously drawing the old fluid out of the vehicle. So, what exactly is the problem here? Indeed, replacing your transmission fluid is a very critical piece of preventative maintenance.
The majority of automobile manufacturers recommend merely emptying and replacing your gearbox fluid.
Fact1: On many vehicles, transmission flushes are an incomplete service.
Removal of the gearbox pan reveals the metal filter that is housed therein. For establishments who provide this service, connecting a transmission flush machine is a quick and simple way to generate revenue. However, it overlooks the most critical aspect of transmission maintenance: the replacement of the transmission filter. An internal transmission filter is installed in around 60% of automobiles, and it should be updated every time the transmission fluid is changed. Changes to the filter are time-consuming and untidy, but they are necessary for the overall project.
The following is taken from our page on transmission fluid: A transmission service entails far more effort than a flush.
A pan or cover on the bottom of your transmission is often removed to provide access to your transmission filter.
While the pan is being removed, certain transmissions may also require some changes to be made. We conclude our transmission service by checking your vehicle’s transmission control module for software updates (and installing them if necessary). This ensures that your gearbox is properly serviced.
Fact2: Car manufacturers recommend against transmission flushes.
The majority of automobile manufacturers advise against flushing gearbox fluid using an external unit. This is due, among other things, to the fact that these devices (particularly when linked incorrectly) have the potential to block or pressurize the wrong channels inside the transmission, resulting in damage. Some machines will completely deplete the transmission pump’s fluid supply because they remove more fluid than they replenish. Unless they are properly cleaned out between cars, flush machines have the potential to pump a small amount of the incorrect fluid into your gearbox.
Fact3: Transmission flushes can damage your transmission.
External transmission fluid flushing machines are generally discouraged by the automotive industry. These devices (particularly when linked incorrectly) can cause harm to the transmission because they can block or pressurize the wrong passageways within the transmission, among other things. Some machines will completely deplete the transmission pump’s fluid supply because they extract more fluid than they put back into the transmission. Flush machines, unless they are properly cleaned out between cars, have the potential to pump a little amount of the incorrect fluid into your transmission.
Fact4: A conventional transmission service doesn’t replace all of your transmission fluid. (And that’s okay.)
Transmission flush proponents will frequently argue that a flush is a superior service because it replaces a greater volume of transmission fluid than a standard service. The removal of your transmission pan or emptying your transmission through its drain plug (as recommended by your automobile manufacturer) will only remove around 70% of the fluid contained therein. Some fluid has become caught inside the cooler or torque converter, and it is unable to be removed. Also true is that a flush machine will replenish a greater percentage of the fluid; most machines promise a replacement rate of about 90 percent.
Car manufacturers are aware of the amount of fluid that will be drained during a routine service, and they have changed their maintenance schedules to take this into consideration.
Going from bad to worse: What are transmission flushing chemicals?
Transmission flushing chemicals are solvents or detergents that are applied to your transmission fluid before the fluid is flushed from the transmission. To ensure that the chemical is circulated throughout your gearbox, it is recommended that you let the car run for 10-15 minutes before the flush.
According to the notion, these chemicals will aid in the loosening or cleaning out of dirt and varnish from the transmission’s inside. The following are some of the reasons why transmission cleansing chemicals should not be used:
- All of these substances are entirely superfluous. A high detergent concentration in transmission fluid ensures that the inside of practically every transmission on the road is perfectly immaculate from the get-go. If your transmission has an excessive amount of clutch material or debris within, this indicates that the device is on the verge of failing, and no flush can remedy the situation. A wide range of automobile manufacturers advise consumers against the use of transmission cleansing chemicals, and many will invalidate your transmission warranty if they can demonstrate that these chemicals were used. These compounds have the potential to harm your gearbox, which is why the majority of automakers advise against using them. One of the reasons for this is that, because most transmission flush machines only achieve 80-90 percent fluid replacement, some of the chemical will always remain in your transmission after the flush
- This is due to the fact that most transmission flush machines only achieve 80-90 percent fluid replacement.
While your transmission fluid will become dirty over time, this is due to the fact that it is doing its function! Your transmission’s inside is immaculately maintained. Do you have any queries on how to do appropriate transmission maintenance? Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time!
Gm stance on flushes
Instead of posting it under the ‘did I harm my trans’ topic, I decided to start a separate one. Thanks for your understanding! Document Number: 04-06-01-029ED Bulletin Number: 04-06-01-029ED Date of birth: April 29, 2010 An Overview of Appropriate Vehicle Maintenance General Motors is aware that some vendors are offering tools and equipment to assist subsystem flushing operations, and the company has taken steps to address the issue. Consumers may choose from a wide range of additives for their engine oil, cooling system, fuel system, air conditioning, gearbox flush, and steering system, all of which are accessible through these specialised machines.
- The machines offered from Kent-Moore/SPX that are meant to assist and speed the process of fluid change should not be confused with the flushing machines described below.
- Analysis of several aftermarket materials used for crankcase flushing has revealed incompatibility with General Motors engine components, as well as the possibility for harm to some engine seals and bearings in particular applications.
- GM Detail, description, and completeness are required for authorized service information.
- An example of this is the cleaning of fuel injectors.
- A number of gasoline fuel injector cleaning bulletins have been published by General Motors.
- Additional information on this issue can be found in Corporate Bulletin Numbers 03-06-04-030 and 04-06-04-051, which are available online.
- Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 01-01-38-006 for information on permissible A/C flushing problems.
- Using external transmission fluid exchange or flush equipment for either the automatic or manual gearbox is not suggested.
Transmission fluid should only be changed by emptying and refilling the transmission according to the instructions in SI. See the section on Automatic/Manual Transmission Fluid and Filter Replacement for further information.
GM 8 Speed Transmissions
General Motors has been a pioneer in the drive for more gears in automatic transmissions, and the company has had both successes and failures in this endeavor. In what way did we go from 3- and 4-speed gearboxes in the 1960s to 11- and 12-speed ones in today’s vehicles? In transmissions, increasing the number of gears is linked to many main objectives, including (1) decreasing vehicle emissions regulations and (2) increasing driver comfort and convenience. Despite the fact that some of the 8-speed gearboxes were only available for a few years in the manufacturer’s range, the fact that there are millions of these vehicles on the road makes it worthwhile to talk about.
The 8-Speed GM Transmission
The General Motors 8L90 and 8L45 automatic gearboxes were created to replace older 6-speed automatic transmissions in rear-wheel drive cars produced by General Motors.
- Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra trucks, GMC Denali, Corvette, Camaro, and many Cadillac applications are among the cars that have been equipped with the 8L90 since its introduction in 2014. For cars equipped with V6 engines, such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CT6, and Chevrolet Colorado trucks, the 8L45 is a lighter gearbox that was introduced in 2016.
The addition of eight gears lets the transmission to maintain its position in the ‘sweet spot’ of the RPM power range while simultaneously delivering 5 percent greater gas consumption than the previous 6-speed gearboxes. Between the 8-speed gearboxes and their 4-speed predecessors, there is approximately a 15-20 percent boost in performance.
GM 8-Speed: Success or Failure?
Since their release, the 8L90 and 8L45 units have been the subject of a number of complaints from customers. These concerns are related to the vehicle’s tendency to ‘shudder’ when accelerating at low speeds between 20 and 80 miles per hour with the accelerator pedal down. Many buyers of these automobiles were concerned about the intermittent and unexpected gearbox issue, despite the fact that the problem affected a large number of vehicles. Occasionally, this shudder is powerful enough to produce hard shifting and forceful jerking between shifts, as well as other symptoms.
It appears like the gearbox is having difficulty effectively changing between speeds in all of these instances, resulting in an extremely unstable ride in all of them.
Early wear of the unit as a result of the increased friction and heat is a possible result of this modification.
Can a fluid exchange or redesign avoid a major liability for GM?
We are not attorneys, thus we are unable to determine if General Motors has a real legal obligation on its hands at this time. Several class action lawsuits have been brought against General Motors (GM) in connection with the 8L90 and 8L45 automatic gearboxes. Between now until the end of the year, General Motors has released service bulletins to remedy the issue. In General Motors’ opinion, the solution is to perform a transmission fluid service, in which the old Dexron VI transmission fluid is replaced with a newer low viscosity transmission fluid.
- The initial effort to correct the unit’s fluid chemistry problems entailed replacing the existing fluid with Mobil 1 ‘Black Label’ synthetic fluid (GM part number 19355656), and then with Mobil 1 LV ATF HP fluid (GM part number 19355656).
- This procedure entails utilizing a machine to clean out the old transmission fluid from the car and then pumping in the newer transmission fluid to replace it.
- Since the service bulletins were published, many owners have discovered that the new fluid did, in fact, resolve the shuddering problem.
- However, this procedure has not been successful in resolving the problem in all of the cars that have had the fluid replacement procedure.
It is probable that, in these circumstances, the torque converter will need to be replaced because of the high temperatures created by the shudder, which has glazed it. Please keep in mind that a copy of the General Motors service bulletin 18-NA-355 may be accessed online.
Local Transmission Shop to the Rescue!
The issue with the 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions is obviously not unique, and it serves to emphasize the significance of using the proper transmission fluid. Check with your local transmission shop to ensure that they understand the right transmission fluid that is prescribed for your vehicle and are not utilizing a less expensive generic transmission fluid while servicing your car. We at Advanced Transmission Center collaborate with a variety of fluid manufacturers to guarantee that the fluid we use is the right one for your particular car.
When it comes to transmission repair, the old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ holds true.
In recent historical automobiles with high value but highly high service costs, the 8-speed gearboxes are being installed.
If you need transmission repair, you should put your confidence in whoever you think is the most knowledgeable and trustworthy.
GM/Chevy Transmission Experts
Technical professionals in General Motors vehicles make up the Advanced Transmission Center’s staff of transmission specialists. It is our goal to execute more repairs on General Motors cars than any other manufacturer. Our experience in Chevrolet/Chevy transmission repair is unrivaled in the Denver area. We service over 300 clients with gearbox rebuild needs for Chevrolet/Chevy, General Motors, and Cadillac vehicles each year amongst our many sites. You should contact your dealer if you own a vehicle that is equipped with an 8L90 or 8L45 gearbox and the car is still under warranty in order to arrange for repair work.
We are transmission specialists, as opposed to dealerships or many independent repair shops, and we are only able to solve faults relating to a vehicle’s drive-train.
Advanced Transmission Center – Lakewood1194 S Pierce StLakewood, CO 80232PHONE:303-816-3856 Advanced Transmission Center – Lakewood Keith is the general manager.
72nd AveWestminster, CO 80030PHONE:303-647-5257 Advanced Transmission Center – Westminster Manager’s name is Anthony.
Your vehicle’s drivetrain and gearbox requirements are something we look forward to fulfilling.