Transmission filter question

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Aug 5, 2006 | 05:28 PM

hink10

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 1,296

Likes: 1

From: Coal Valley, Illinois

Transmission filter question

I am getting ready to change fluid and install an external transmission filter. The fluid has about 35k on it, but I changed the filter about 20k ago when I installed a Sonnax kit. Can I get away with leaving the filter in the trans and just doing a flush? The external filter will be doing most of the filtering and I have heard the internal filter can last 100k. I'm just trying to avoid the mess of dropping the transmission pan. Is it necessary, or can I wait until next change? Thanks.
Steve

Aug 6, 2006 | 04:28 AM

7.3powerstroke

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 109

Likes: 0

How dose your trans fluid look? As long as it isnt burned or discolored you might be ok to change the internal filter ever other fluid change. Also what type of trans fluid are you running in it?

Aug 6, 2006 | 05:55 AM

Cuda_jim

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 5,903

Likes: 1

From: MICHIGAN

The external filter is a good idea but you could add a drain plug to the pan to avoid the mess too.

Aug 6, 2006 | 06:15 AM

JOE-M

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 851

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From: N. Georgia

The internal filter can be left alone, you don't need to change it. Just flush your transmission and add your external filter and you'll be fine. The internal filter can go 90k with no problem.
Joe

Aug 6, 2006 | 07:39 AM

Chance_Thomas

More Turbo

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 603

Likes: 1

From: Plano Texas

Where is the external trans filter? I will be doing the BTS VB in the next couple of days and will be replacing the internal filter.

Aug 6, 2006 | 08:57 AM

Cuda_jim

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 5,903

Likes: 1

From: MICHIGAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chance_Thomas

Where is the external trans filter? I will be doing the BTS VB in the next couple of days and will be replacing the internal filter.

That's an add-on. Stock trucks don't come with one.

Aug 6, 2006 | 08:59 AM

Cuda_jim

Post Fiend

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 5,903

Likes: 1

From: MICHIGAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOE-M

The internal filter can go 90k with no problem.
Joe

I would not recommend 90k on the filter. 30k is more like it, less is even better. It's cheap insurance for the weak links in the drive line.

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Aug 6, 2006 | 11:58 PM

hink10

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 1,296

Likes: 1

From: Coal Valley, Illinois

Thanks for all the input guys. I installed the remote filter today (thanks Jeremy), didn't get to the fluid change though. I have been reading a bunch and it looks like a lot of folks are recommending filter changes every other fluid change. I may just leave the internal filter until next time. It has been changed since the last fluid change and I've had a Magafine inline filter installed for a good bit of the time. I have a drain valve on the remote filter, so flushing the trans will be easy. I didn't have the hose clamped tight enough on the return line when I flushed it the last time, made a real mess! Thanks again for the input!