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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,681
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,681 |
It has 103,000 miles on it, I bought it new. I've read the life of these transmissions is btw 120,000 & 130,000 miles. Since I retired I drive it 5/6 thousand miles a year with some towing of a 17 ft aluminum boat. Once in awhile use 4wd. At my age, 72 and as well as it runs I'm hoping it lasts as long as I do.
I've never had the transmission serviced, still running the original fluid and filter and never had a problem with it. Shifts where it should, no slipping, doesn't use fluid and the fluid is still the original color with no burned odor.
Service it or leave well enough alone? If I service it take it to the dealer or to a transmission shop? Thanks.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,736
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,736 |
Service it. Private shop, flush and filter. Drive it like a 72 year old, and it will last all you need.
Sean
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,394
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,394 |
Your transmission is probably the 4L80 which is a good one. Definitely service it about every 50k miles, that's not something you want to put off. It's a lot cheaper than replacement.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 11,381
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 11,381 |
Ashamed to admit, but I will....
I had a 2003 z71. Bought new. 225k miles in 9 years. No transmission service. No issues when I traded. Pulled a few trailers, mostly just empty highway miles.
Bro in law had a 99, new tranny at 180k. Same lifestyle as mine.
Contractor buddy has a 99 as well. Typically had a large job box full of tools. Tranny at 300k miles. Truck has 400k miles now. Mostly rusted out. Motor hadn't been touched. 2 new rear ends in that time.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,753
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,753 |
You'll read pro's and con's to a flush, personally I avoid it.
Drop the pan, change the filter and install a drain plug in. You won't get all of the fluid out that way, but there are a few tricks to getting it all out or just drain it in a year or so and fill it back up.
Life is just one damned thing after another
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,216
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,216 |
I would do a drain and fill. I wouldn't have a shop do a "reverse power flush" or anything similar. Too many horror stories about gunk that isn't doing anything getting knocked loose and causing problems.
Check on the bobistheoilguy.com forum if you want enough info to make your head spin....
Regards,
Tom
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
It has 103,000 miles on it, I bought it new. I've read the life of these transmissions is btw 120,000 & 130,000 miles. Since I retired I drive it 5/6 thousand miles a year with some towing of a 17 ft aluminum boat. Once in awhile use 4wd. At my age, 72 and as well as it runs I'm hoping it lasts as long as I do.
I've never had the transmission serviced, still running the original fluid and filter and never had a problem with it. Shifts where it should, no slipping, doesn't use fluid and the fluid is still the original color with no burned odor.
Service it or leave well enough alone? If I service it take it to the dealer or to a transmission shop? Thanks. Have the transmission flushed and then drop the pan and replace the filter and gasket.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,310
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,310 |
I just flushed my 03 Silverado transmission in my driveway. Materials and fluid was $61.
Just because the fluid looked good on the stick doesn't mean it is. May not smell burnt but by then it's a little late in most instances.
If you can change your own oil you can flush your own transmission. It is that easy.
Hayden 397 nipple for your Trans return line in the radiator and ten feet of clear 3/8 id hose and 5 gallon bucket. 4 gallons of Dexron 3. Attach hose to nipple and insert into radiator after taking off your return line (upper one on right for your 02). Hose to your bucket. Run hose on top of fan shroud. Start truck and when bubbles come through line shut off. Drop pan replace filter and gasket. Fill with 1 gallon of fluid and restart. Shut off when bubbles form in hose. Fill again and repeat until fluid is new in appearance.
Pull nipple and reinstall return line. Check level of fluid is at cold mark. Start and drive until fluid is warm and check level.
Took exactly 4 gallons for me to do mine.
Have done this over the years to other vehicles also.
Talking to you is like trying to nail jello to the wall.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,736
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,736 |
I just flushed my 03 Silverado transmission in my driveway. Materials and fluid was $61.
Just because the fluid looked good on the stick doesn't mean it is. May not smell burnt but by then it's a little late in most instances.
If you can change your own oil you can flush your own transmission. It is that easy.
Hayden 397 nipple for your Trans return line in the radiator and ten feet of clear 3/8 id hose and 5 gallon bucket. 4 gallons of Dexron 3. Attach hose to nipple and insert into radiator after taking off your return line (upper one on right for your 02). Hose to your bucket. Run hose on top of fan shroud. Start truck and when bubbles come through line shut off. Drop pan replace filter and gasket. Fill with 1 gallon of fluid and restart. Shut off when bubbles form in hose. Fill again and repeat until fluid is new in appearance.
Pull nipple and reinstall return line. Check level of fluid is at cold mark. Start and drive until fluid is warm and check level.
Took exactly 4 gallons for me to do mine.
Have done this over the years to other vehicles also. Way overkill and waste, but if it makes you feel good. 
Sean
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,681
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,681 |
Thanks to everyone for the info. Getting it serviced. When I figure the service could give the transmission a few extra years the cost is worth it.
I took it to an established transmission shop recommended by someone that's used it and knows the owner. The owner, an older guy, said if it was his after this many miles and years he wouldn't flush it but would replace the filter & drain and replace what fluid he could. I asked if that was because flushing might damage it and he said probably not but why take a chance.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,310
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,310 |
I just flushed my 03 Silverado transmission in my driveway. Materials and fluid was $61.
Just because the fluid looked good on the stick doesn't mean it is. May not smell burnt but by then it's a little late in most instances.
If you can change your own oil you can flush your own transmission. It is that easy.
Hayden 397 nipple for your Trans return line in the radiator and ten feet of clear 3/8 id hose and 5 gallon bucket. 4 gallons of Dexron 3. Attach hose to nipple and insert into radiator after taking off your return line (upper one on right for your 02). Hose to your bucket. Run hose on top of fan shroud. Start truck and when bubbles come through line shut off. Drop pan replace filter and gasket. Fill with 1 gallon of fluid and restart. Shut off when bubbles form in hose. Fill again and repeat until fluid is new in appearance.
Pull nipple and reinstall return line. Check level of fluid is at cold mark. Start and drive until fluid is warm and check level.
Took exactly 4 gallons for me to do mine.
Have done this over the years to other vehicles also. Way overkill and waste, but if it makes you feel good. No more overkill and waste than your first post of this thread. Same thing that I spelled out if anyone wanted to do it themselves. I prefer to do as much work on my vehicles on my own as possible. Transmissions are a finicky thing. Some guys service on schedule and they go at 70k. Others like my father in law have 180k on one and never been serviced. Still going and I told him to never touch it.
Talking to you is like trying to nail jello to the wall.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,009
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,009 |
Your transmission is probably the 4L80 which is a good one. Definitely service it about every 50k miles, that's not something you want to put off. It's a lot cheaper than replacement. 4l60E...
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,009
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,009 |
Thanks to everyone for the info. Getting it serviced. When I figure the service could give the transmission a few extra years the cost is worth it.
I took it to an established transmission shop recommended by someone that's used it and knows the owner. The owner, an older guy, said if it was his after this many miles and years he wouldn't flush it but would replace the filter & drain and replace what fluid he could. I asked if that was because flushing might damage it and he said probably not but why take a chance. Excellent advice. Sounds like a good honest tech.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,866
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,866 |
Had mine flushed with 123k on it and a week later it took a crap. I had heard stories about the flushing of transmissions with lots of miles and no service but I didn't listen. That was $1500.00 mistake. Don't do it, drop the pan, change the filter and refill.
Eating fried chicken and watermelon since 1972.
You tell me how I ought to be, yet you don't even know your own sexuality,, the philosopher,,, you know so much about nothing at all. Chuck Schuldiner
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,722
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,722 |
If you're going to have a shop drop the pan to change the filter, then I'd have him tap a drain plug into it...
cheap insurance if you want a trans to last....
and yeah, probably overkill on my end, but I drop trans fluid every 20K.....use Valvoline Max Life... a jug runs me < $18 at Wally Mart...
so in 100K, I've invested less than $100 in fluid...
that vs any expense of a trans needing work at 100K...
plus if I am going to be towing with the vehicle....I install a trans cooler...put a 12000 pound one on the Pilot...easy install, cost me $40
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
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