Reusing transmission fluid
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 445
Likes: 2
Reusing transmission fluid
I need to work on my accumulator in my 4r100 transmission (shift springs getting replaced)
The transmission fluid only has 10,000 or less miles on it. I would like to reuse as much as I could since this fluid is like $4-5 bucks a quart now.
I'm thinking I need to drain it into a new, clean bucket, then strain into another clean new bucket. Then use a clean plastic tumbler when it's time to refill the transmission.
Or should I just bite the bullet and buy new fluid?
Doing this work myself in my own garage... Woo Hoo!!
The transmission fluid only has 10,000 or less miles on it. I would like to reuse as much as I could since this fluid is like $4-5 bucks a quart now.
I'm thinking I need to drain it into a new, clean bucket, then strain into another clean new bucket. Then use a clean plastic tumbler when it's time to refill the transmission.
Or should I just bite the bullet and buy new fluid?
Doing this work myself in my own garage... Woo Hoo!!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
I need to work on my accumulator in my 4r100 transmission (shift springs getting replaced)
The transmission fluid only has 10,000 or less miles on it. I would like to reuse as much as I could since this fluid is like $4-5 bucks a quart now.
I'm thinking I need to drain it into a new, clean bucket, then strain into another clean new bucket. Then use a clean plastic tumbler when it's time to refill the transmission.
Or should I just bite the bullet and buy new fluid?
Doing this work myself in my own garage... Woo Hoo!!
The transmission fluid only has 10,000 or less miles on it. I would like to reuse as much as I could since this fluid is like $4-5 bucks a quart now.
I'm thinking I need to drain it into a new, clean bucket, then strain into another clean new bucket. Then use a clean plastic tumbler when it's time to refill the transmission.
Or should I just bite the bullet and buy new fluid?
Doing this work myself in my own garage... Woo Hoo!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 43
From: Land of Taxes
Ha Mark I think they missed the sarcasm. For under $100 put new fluid in. Cheap insurance Transmissions fluid can never be fresh enough IMO
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
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From: SE Florida
Actually it isn't sarcastic. It IS just like reusing old motor oil. I wouldn't do that, either.
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Every vehicle "reuses" engine oil and transmission fluid. It is no different draining it into a clean container and then putting it back in.
Many here push oil changes to past 10K miles, reusing 10K trans fluid should be right up their alley.
Sure I wouldn't put used engine oil back into an engine because it has such a short change interval but for trans fluid with much much longer change intervals and higher price tag I would reuse the shart out of it if I only had 10K or less on it.
Almost ALL of the race cars that come threw my shop for clutches, axles, or engine work almost ALWAYS get the drained trans fluid put back in. Normally because it is always fresh (beginning of each year) and can be $10+ per quart kind of fluids.
So long as you keep it just as clean as it comes out it is find putting it back in. Now if you pull some dusty bucket out of the corner of the shop to drain the fluid in, well, yeah, your asking for problems.
Many here push oil changes to past 10K miles, reusing 10K trans fluid should be right up their alley.
Sure I wouldn't put used engine oil back into an engine because it has such a short change interval but for trans fluid with much much longer change intervals and higher price tag I would reuse the shart out of it if I only had 10K or less on it.
Almost ALL of the race cars that come threw my shop for clutches, axles, or engine work almost ALWAYS get the drained trans fluid put back in. Normally because it is always fresh (beginning of each year) and can be $10+ per quart kind of fluids.
So long as you keep it just as clean as it comes out it is find putting it back in. Now if you pull some dusty bucket out of the corner of the shop to drain the fluid in, well, yeah, your asking for problems.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
With that many miles on it I would reuse it in a heartbeat. As long as its bright pink and you can strain it go for it. I have done it a few times when I was changing shift settings with my valve body etc. Most of us want the best lube for our investments but sometimes we don't have to go overboard. If its clean its clean. Reuse it IMHO..
Dick
Dick
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Sean
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Not true at all as motor oil gets dirty from the combustion process and trans fluid doesn't. It does degrade about 10 times less than motor oil per mile. Some new trannys are sealed. No service until 100k miles.
If the trans is healthy and the fluid isn't burnt and has less than 30k miles on it there is no problem with reusing it..Two different fluids in two different situations.
If the trans is healthy and the fluid isn't burnt and has less than 30k miles on it there is no problem with reusing it..Two different fluids in two different situations.
