Can i add transmission fluid when it turns brown and smell burned ?

Question

i checked my transmission fluid and it was brown and smell burn, so can i just add transmission fluid or do i have to drain the fluid from the pen? and how to do it and what tools do i need for this condition, i heard it is expensive when you take it to the shop. step by step would really help, thank you...

Answer 1

you never want to flush a transmission. always, when servicing, drop the pan and clean it and while you have the pan off change the filter. During a flush you take out most of the bad fluid that has worn out detergents and replace with fresh detergents that knock loose crud from inside the tranny. and where does all of this crud go? Straight to the filter that did not get replaced and is most likely already at its holding capacity! So now you have a clogged filter that cant syphon fluid properly causing low pressures and low pressures cause burning of the clutch packs and the bands. flushing is a sure way to get your tramsmission to fail! but it may or may not be too late for yours. if you still have all of your gears the you might be ok. if you are already slipping then only a rebuild will help. if you do have your gears then just drop your pan and filter, clean the pan and magnet, install new filter, lay new gasket on pan rim and start all of the bolts by hand. do not tighten any of them until you have them all in. once they are all in you need to tighten them to about 144 inch pounds (12 foot pounds) in no particular order. with the condition of the fluid that you described i would buy some "high mileage" fluid because the detergents are not quite as harsh as factory spec fluid. speaking of that you need to make sure that your high mileage fluid complies with your reccomended fluid for your vehicle. that is the best i can tell you without more specifics of the vehicle Make Model Year

Answer 2

It is a bit late for that.

Take it to a pro - you will save hundreds of dollars by having a pro do it.

Answer 3

the only time u need to add fluid is when it is low

to change fluid you must also change the filter go to parts store and purchase fluid a filter and a trans pan gasket all you need to do take the pan down depending on what kind of vehicle u have determines the socket size and # of bolts you can easily see the pan if you get under the car just take all the bolts out and lower it be sure to wash out the pan real good and clean the magnet off it will have metal shavings on it the magnet just sits in the bottom of the pan to collect the metal from the fluid then u will see the filter just pull it down and replace it scrape the old gasket from the trans and pan re install the new gasket and pan real simple.         now i must warn u in all my experience with auto trans changing the fluid and filter is not very wise once the fluid is burnt i have found on several cars that i have done it was not long and the transmission goes out after fluid and filter change if i were u i would go to a oil change place and ask for a fluid exchange what they do is hook a machine up to trans lines and flush out all the fluid and replace it with new at the same time and it also cleans the filter it is a cool procedure about 5 yrs ago it was 65.00 don't know how much it is now i hope that helps

Answer 4

yes you can.  By all means if it is low add fluid.

You're sitting on the edge with the tranny.  Its likely to go with the burned smell and all.  I would drain the old out and put new in.  You might get more miles out of it.

Answer 5

depending on the mileage it should be flushed (only if you have under 80K miles or have flushed it before) or have a drain and fill with filter done.  this involves dropping the pan on the tranny and replacing the filter and the gasket.  you only need a socket set for that, but a torque wrench is better.

Answer 6

the fact that the fluid is burnt is enough to know it needs rebuilt, however to answer your question, most cars do not have drain plugs for this , so you will have to remove the pan it's self and it will be full of fluid so your going to make a mess. the tools required also vary by vehicle but usually a 1/2 " or 13mm socket will do. Good Luck