Hey guys! I have a 2001 XJ with 155K on it. I took ownership of it in 2002. To my knowledge, I've never had the tranny fluid changed/serviced/etc. I had to have my rear brakes done today, and my mechanic told me once again that my fluid is dark black and needs to be changed. I read through the forum and got mixed reviews...some saying just to change the fluid and not flush...others say leave it alone. It shifts fine and I have no problems with it...she is very mechanically sound. It's my daily driver and I'd rather not take the chance of having the tranny slip by changing it. Anyone with similar experience? Have you done it and everything was fine? Have you done it and the Jeep stopped working? Any info is appreciated.

 

we "flushed" the tranny on my 99 w/ <90k by just pouring a lot thru till it was all comin out clean. every other fluid we really flushed well, though. but the tranny fluid wasnt too bad, so there was no need to run that risk of flushing it. but if yours is in good shape with low mileage, then the risk of damage by flushing it is low.

 

I read where it is a good idea, in transmission that have not been serviced as they should to do the fluid change gradually.

You know take out a little, put in a little then run it a while.

Not sure why but some think it's a good idea, after a while the fluid will pretty much be changed out and at that point you can probably do a full fluid flush without danger of the problems some have warned about in past threads.

I have a 5 speed and one automatic. We are in the process of a " gradual change " on the automatic at the moment.

 

if the fluid is still in good shape ,red in color drain and filter and fill should be fine. if fluid is stinky and brown you got a50/50 chance its gonna do more harm than good

 

I'm thinking about flushing my transmission as well.
Found on youtube and it looks fairly easy, anyone tried it?

 

You will never do more harm then good by doing a drain and fill with proper fluid. If its black get it done ASAP, do not do a flush. Just do a drain and fill and then do it again a week or so later. Try to drain it while it is still hot. There should be no concerns with doing this.

 

With that many miles I would just drain the fluid and change the filter. Doing a flush even with that amount of miles, for the first time may cause damage

 

ive seen cars come in the shop with old stinky fluid they want it changed we have to make it clear to them if it never moves again its their dollar as we are not responsible when we perform work that is not recomended

 

The fluid on my '92 is brownish. It does not smell burned. It shifts fine, hot or cold.

That Jeep has about 193K miles on it.

I'm afraid to mess with the fluid. It may be original.

I've heard of people changing their fluid, then their tranny goes out.

 

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=940214

 

Maybe in this case "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is the way to go.

 

DON'T FLUSH and old tranny ! Drop the pan and check the filter-change or clean. You can get very mixed results with a flush. This way your only getting maybe 4 quarts out that will get mixed with the old.

In the old days before lockup converters many had drain plugs where you could actually change 90% of the old fluid. Not so today.

If the fluid looks and smells wondeful there shouldn't be a problem NOT chnaging at all but if it doesn't look to good just drop the pan

 

i would do a drain and fill...nothing more (for now)

 

Ofcourse, but if the person tells you not to do a fluid drain and fill because they think it would cause their tranny not to work is a fool. Sorry but this idea is just crazy. I can understand a bad outcome with doing a flush but on a fluid drain and fill come on.. Thats like recommending that someone should not do a oil change on a car with high mileage with alot of sludge..

To each there own but if it were my vehicle I would get it done ASAP and never look back.

 

Do a few drain and fills with a week or so in between. Probably the least shocking way to replace most of the fluid.