Jason W Dreher

I took my car in for a trans flush and new belts.. After I picked up the car, The tech stated that he recommend that I change the trans filter next service.. I thought that was what they were doing, the full service.. I was pretty ticked but it was to late, he said that it would cost an extra $200 to redo and I already spent $120. Anyhow, I have 44k miles on the car (2005) I've read that you should never just do a teans flush without doing the filtet as well.. Is this going to cause problems because they didn't change the filter as well?.. Thanks..

Dcasole

I don't know about causing problems but why in the world would you request a trans flush from your mechanic and not expect that the mechanic would also be dropping the pan and changing the filter .....

That's just common sense I would make him do it , it's only the cost of a gasket , ...and 5 quarts of fluid on his part as you would have had to pay for the filter anyway ....

If he does not do it, find another mechanic

Dave

Jason W Dreher

I agree, that's why I was so ticked.. I was surprised when he said no to the filter.. I said that's what I thought he was doing when doing a full trans service. He said the price would have been much higher then quoted.. He said there were 2 types a flush without a filter replacement and one with. He said it would cost another $259 if redone.. I was furious and left.. Point being, I am now just checking if it's ok to have a flush without the filter change out.. Trust me, I'm not thrilled at all but I'm not coming up with another $259 as well..

Dcasole

At the risk of starting a flame war ... yes you will be fine with that low of miles that are on your car ... unless you beat your car at the track (severe use) .....

Kenny94945

I think you are Ok don't worry.

Drop the pan and do a filter at 75K.

Seems your service is where they use a machine to "flush" the oil out of the trans at the radiator lines, then force oil back in. Hopefully they did check the fluid level at the pan the correct way.

Dropping the pan on an '05 with an auto can be difficult for a DIY'r.
Briefly, one needs to remove a x-member mount to access one of the pans bolts.

Again I think you'll be OK and as noted...never use the word flush.

HOXXOH

I'm not familiar with the A4 trans in a C6, but the bolts can be accessed on a A6 pan by backing off the trans mount nuts and jacking up the trans a bit.

Flush is good for toilets and poker. Not much else.

Jason W Dreher

Good stuff here, thanks for the feedback.. After posting this, I couldn't hesitate any longer. I called them and went over the fact that this was done incorrectly and that they either refund me, or do it right. He said he did it right and I responded with GM requires the filter to be changed as well, it's right in the manual.. They then put the owner on and we exchanged words. I was very nice until he told me that they couldn't get my car up in the air because of the skirts I have on so that's why they just changed the fluid without the filter, wow.. . I said that's fine, give me a refund and I'll take it to a place that will do it right. He immediately said bring it up here and we'll take care of it. Seriously, 2 mins ago he said he couldn't get it up in the air and now he will take care of it, will it magically float?? Wow.. Long story short, after catching him in a lie after lies, I am bringing it up there Saturday. Now I'll get the stink eye from everyone there that screwed up, and I will be thinking about them messing with other parts of the car for some type of revenge.. Oh boy... Horrible experience.. I'm done with them after this..

CSixDude

I'd suggest you cut your losses now and not go back to that dealer, period. The only reason you should go back is if they offer to give you a refund. In that case, go and get your money, and leave. Don't be foolish enough to let them work on your car again.

RobLo

I have an '05 A4, bought in May 2010 with 10,508 miles. First thing I did was take it to the dealer for 2 recalls, engine oil, trans fluid and coolant change, they did the filter with the trans oil change. I've since become friends with an excellent Vette mechanic that works at a local (different) dealer. The car now has 31K miles on it, I just recently had him do new coolant hoses, a new water pump and thermo, cooling system flush and refill, rear end seals (5) and fluid change AND a trans flush and fluid change. He flushed out the transmission and added 12 quarts of new fluid. Reason for 12 qts. is he flushed out the entire system and pumped out all the old oil, didn't just drain the pan. I asked about the filter and he said no, it was done at 11K miles and wasn't necessary, said he would do it at the next service in 5 years. So I don't think your experience (no filter) is unusual. Good luck...

buckmeister2

I suppose he would also change your oil without changing the filter...

Jason W Dreher

I agree, I feel nervous thinking about this whole thing.. Too many lies and going back on what he said.. He refuses to refund and only to redo. At this stage, after settling down, I think I'm willing to take the $120 loss and find someone competent enough to do it right.. That sucks.. 🙁 lol

montman

It is not that uncommon for a shop to do a flush and not change the filter. I don't think you got ripped off, it's just a miscommunication. I think you should forget this stealership and just put some miles on this fluid then drop the pan at about 75k. I know many, many people who have well over 100k miles and never touched the transmission. 44k miles is nothing for a filter. If you're still OCDing like I do, take it to a Vette specialist or a different dealer. These people are not your friends anymore.
Best regards

buckmeister2

This is sound advice. Watch your trans temps, which yuo should do anyway, and check the fluid level and color when you change oil.

Bill Soda

Not here to start a war, but all trans pan bolts can be removed without jacking, lifting or moving anything other than the pan. I dropped the pan, wiped it out and changed the filter at 22K miles. Yea, I know I'm stupid. The car was "level" and all work done in the driveway. I have helped other people on this forum do the same thing. My 07 has had a very easy life ( original owner ) and this maintenance was not needed, but that's just me. After the job was done it shifted like a hot knife going through butter. After the torque wrench is used on all accessible bolts, you can pretty well determine what's needed for the couple open end wrench bolts to tighten.

Bat66

ruxvette

Sooo, how did they do the flush?

Jason W Dreher

Have no clue... He said they have a machine they hook it up to and it pushes the fluid out. He said he couldn't get to the pan underneath due to the skirts interfering with the lift. The drain bolt is connected to the pan from what I read, so he somehow had to get to that. He was lying all over the place. I had him on speaker and even my wife was shaking her head as we went back and forth. The skirts shouldn't be a problem. Tons of cars have ground effects. He was just making excuses. For all I know, he didn't even change the fluid. I know the belts were changed, they had the fresh stitching on them, but can't confirm the fluid.

Jason W Dreher

That's my problem, I OCD hard.. If I don't have piece of mind, I won't be able to sleep..

EVRose

And how do they work on ZR1's?

Jason W Dreher

Exactly! Along with the other makes and models with side and ground effects.. He was lying all over the place..