How To Clean Automatic Transmission Filter

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I've been calling around to get prices for changing the transmission fluid in my wifes 05 Malibu Maxx (~106k).

A local transission shop had great prices on parts and labor (also need an axel seal replaced). One odd thing the person told me though is that they typically don't change the filter, only if they cannot clean it.

Is this OK? I always thought the tranny filter was a throw-away item.

Thanks.

Never heard of cleaning a tranny filter. Wouldnt think one could do an effective job cleaning one. Those things have fine screens.

My understanding is that transmission filters are replacable, not reusable. Since transmission fluid is replaced every ~60,000 miles I wouldn't want a filter which isn't new and without particles in the filter media, ya know? It's like asking for trouble down the road. Advance Auto Parts sells filters for $15-$17. I'd bet you could buy the part and bring it to the shop for them to install.

I have had transmission filter replace and just flush, and both work well for my cars. However, I prefer the shop that replace the filter and save the filter with all the bits in it for my inspection to see how much metal and large bits are in it.

Last edited: Jan 20, 2011

Out of curiosity - do you know the maintenance history of your transmission? Has it been flushed on schedule?

Out of curiosity - do you know the maintenance history of your transmission? Has it been flushed on schedule?

Yes I do and this is the first service the transmission will recieve. :oops:

Yes I do and this is the first service the transmission will recieve.

Definitely get a filter replacement and save the filter to give you a guesstimate of transmission condition (hopefully no large metal chunks).

I think standard practice is to leave the filter alone. Most places just pull the old fluid out through the filler pipe(likely so they can advertise lower prices). To change the filter it would require the tranny pan to be removed. I would go with a place that will change the filter. But expect it to cost a little more because changing the filter takes a little work where just flushing takes almost no work.

The shop must actually get into the tranny since they said they replace all the needed gaskes. Good point though.

It's an Amaco if anyone s dealt with one.

: Aug 20, 2004

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Replace the filter. It is cheap at under $15 or so .. and the shop is AAMCO
who I personally would not trust to work on anything. Call your local police,
speak to their maintenance people, see where they go for tranny work and go there.
In my town, it is Wayne Transmissions and they have been there since before 1980 .. still in same place and top notch work.

Replace the filter. It is cheap at under $15 or so .. and the shop is AAMCO
who I personally would not trust to work on anything. Call your local police,
speak to their maintenance people, see where they go for tranny work and go there.
In my town, it is Wayne Transmissions and they have been there since before 1980 .. still in same place and top notch work.

I have to agree with this post.

Cop & taxi car mechanics are the best in the business.

Do it yourself-then you will see what is actually in the pan.
The pan gasket is reusable-doubt you will break it-spray with a little hi-tach or similar and your good to go.
As for the filter -don't even bother to remove the old seal(cone shaped tophat looking thing)just push the new filter in and button up.
4 or 5 qts. (can't remember) and check-job done.

Any time you drop the pan replace the filter.

Most of the "metal" transmission filters just have wire screens. If it dosen't look too dirty you can simply clean the outside and re-use it. But you can't see the entire screen to know if there are metal shavings or other things that may be inside of it. They are pretty cheap, don't take a chance, replace it.

I am talking about transmissions that don't use removable filters. They exist out there, just are not all that common at least at the "consumer vehicle" level.

: Jul 7, 2007

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I've been told that after a certain mileage (like 100k or so), its not recommended to drop the pan/replace the tran screen, as there is a good chance of developing leaks when the pan/gasket is put back together. Instead just change the fluid like 3 times.

Are the shops I've talked to just misleading me b/c they dont want to deal with a higher mileage trans and the potential problems that may arise from a 'proper' cleaning/flush?

Not meaning to hijack the thread. Just thought it is kinda related

Never had a problem changing the ATF after 100k. Transmission actually works better with new fluid.

Re 100k fluid change:

I think they mean not to flush an old, un-maintained trans. at 100k. The "theory" being sludge gets moved to bad places, and leads to failure. For an old trans like that, most suggest just dropping the pan, and changing the fluid in there. My pan has a reusable rubber gasket.

I had a flush done at 65k, and plan to have the pan dropped around 90k and do the filter...which doesn't get touched during a flush.

My F150 holds 13 quarts, and I think you only get to 4 or so in the pan.

If you are gonna go through all that trouble to get to the filter, might as well replace it. The filter costs just around $60 on my car. It takes about 30 minutes alone to even get to the filter....and that is if you can get to the pan easily. Never head of anyone cleaning it.

Never heard of cleaning a filter, if its a sealed unit, there is no way in hell you can clean it effectively.

New one.

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