So I just came back from getting an Oil Chance and the mechanic told me that I needed other things to be changed out.

-Radiator Flush
-Differential service Needed
-Transmission Service Needed

I know the radiator Flush I can probably do myself after asking what the proper steps are from people on here (Think I should make another thread) But what about the other two. Can I do this myself? He was telling me somthing about flushing the oil or somthin out from the front and the rear, I forgot cause I was in a hurry and had to get outta there.

edit;; Its Manual btw.

 

The coolant and tranny fluid can't be flushed on your own without a machine.

Well, the coolant can, you'll just have to the radiator and fill it, but it won't get all of the coolant. Most of it though. Just make sure to burp it, cause you'll have air pockets.

The tranny (auto, I'm assuming) will have to be hooked up to a machine. Just dropping the pan will only drain about 8 quarts. Most autos hold a total of 12-14 quarts. You need a machine to flush the tranny and coolers and torque convertor.

The diff you can just take the cover off, drain the fluid, spray it down with brake cleaner, and then re-fill.

And you don't have a front diff, so don't worry about that.

 

A tranny flush is terrible, they leave the filter in, and back pump the fluid, basically pushing everything out of the filter and back through the tranny. It's easy to drop the pan and swap filters and refill it on your own.

Changing the fluid in the diff is easy too, just remove the rear cover, wipe things down, reinstall cover with rtv, and fill through the fill plug on the front side.

A radiator flush is super easy to do, just buy the bottle of the stuff at the store and follow the instructions.

 

All shops tell you that your car needs several unnecessary services after you bring it in for a simple service. Most people dont know better and say ok.

 

Unless you know that the mech. is on the level and you TRUST him, your car probably doesnt need any of those things.....he is just looking for more money.

Matthew

 

I had to go get an oil chance from a random place. I was thinking that "well he is in a business and needs to make the $$" But I DO want to keep the car "healthy"...and I dont think it'd hurt for me to learn how to do these things now rather than later when i actually do need em' in a hurry or if my car breaks down. So I left the shop thinking i'd probably be able to do them myself.
So I'm guessing im going to be able to do all 3 of them myself? or was Xemeth mistaken(because I have a Manual?)
I'll probably Flush the radiator next weekend. I just bought a bottle of coolant and i might not know where to stick the hose..(god forbid i flush the engine lmfao... ) But yeah. Pretty ignorant here, thats why im here haha

 

How would the mechanic know that you need all this stuff done? Did he ask you when was the last time you got it done and how many miles you have put on it since then?

If no, then stay away. If the answer is yes, then there are many knowledgeable people here that are willing to tell you how to do it all yourself. (Including how to change your own oil)

 

yep..

 

Well if you have a manual than it's a simple drain and fill. You don't flush a manual. Autos on the other hand are much more complicated, and the fluid can't be changed by dropping the pan and re-filling it. I don't care what anyone on here says, that's not the right way to change your fluid. If there's nothing wrong with your transmission, a flush is the right way to do it.

But you have a manual, so it doesn't matter.

As far as the radiator goes, just get under the car with a drain bucket, and pop off the lower radiator hose. Once coolant stops pouring out, put it back on, re-fill the coolant. Start the car and let it warm up. You're most likely gonna have air pockets in the system. When the car starts going above operating temp, let it get almost to the red line where it's over heating. Then shut it off, and very carefully, with a rag in your hand, open the coolant cap. You'll hear a hiss noise, which is the pressure escaping.

See, coolant systems, when hot are under pressure. When something is under more than atmospheric pressure, it's boiling temp rises, so it'll stay a liquid for longer. When you open the cap, you're relieving the pressure, and letting it go down to atmospheric pressure. Well, the coolant, which is much higher than boiling temp at atmospheric now, instantly bubbles.

That's why you open the cap slowly, letting the pressure bleed out slowly. Other wise if you just open the cap, you're gonna have 250* coolant spraying all over the place, ****ing **** up (like the skin on your face, and your eyesight).

Once the bubbling stops, let it cool off for a few minutes. You're gonna have to add more coolant now, since what was there filled the air pockets.

Now just repeat the above steps until the car stops overheating. You can give it some gas and let it rev and hold it at about 2500 if you want to speed up the process a bit.

When you think it's done, take it for a quick ride (bring a bottle of coolant and a rag just in case) and watch the temp gauge making sure it doesn't over heat.

Good luck.

 

you dont have to remove the lower radiator hose, there is a drain valve you use. and NEVER open the radiator cap when hot. To get the air out remove the bolt in the cooling lines up near the front of the intake, and then filll radiator will a 50/50 mix of coolant/distilled water. The bolt is the highest point in the system so when fluid comes out there is no more air.