how does one drain the torque converter? i can't find anything in my haynes manual. it only talks about draining the pan and changing the filter which is only about 4qts. in the 'lube volume' section it says for a dry fill it will hold 14qts or so.

---
'95 2500, auto

 

u can't really unless u have an aftermarket TC with a drain plug...there's a method ive read about where u disconnect one of the lines to the cooler and stick it into a bucket..start the motor and it will pump out most of the fluid....do a search....otherwise i installed a drain plug on my tranny pan...i drain the pan..and close it up...then i start the motor for 10 sec...stop and drain the pan again....this way i get double the fluid out...i find it safer than anything else

 

I think that I read the if you loosen the valve body bolts that you can drain the converter but not sure. Draining by the cooler lines would be a lot faster for sure. Good luck Jim

 

it doesn't hurt the TC if you run it without fluid for very long?

 

That's why you watch and shut down the engine the moment air appears. Do this in N.

 

It takes about 17-18 quarts total for complete flush. Drop pan, change filter, gasket etc. Replace pan and add new fluid of whatever amount came out of the pan. Do not start truck.

Disconnect rubber hose connecting trans cooler to the line going straight to the trans. If you follow a line back to the heat exchanger by the turbo, then that is the wrong one.

Now, start the truck and pump out about 2 quarts at a time, 3 max. If it starts to appear frothy or bubbles in the fluid, then you pumped out to much. Once two quarts are pumped out (fluid will only pump out in nuetral if it's a stock tranny), shut off truck. Add the same amount that you pumped out, and repeat untill you see nice clean and new fluid pump out. Old windshield washer fluid bottles work good for this as you can see the color of the fluid.

Now your done. Reconnect the line, check your fluid level, and if close, take it for a ride and let the fluid warm up. Check again and top off as needed. Check often for the next couple of days. The dipstick is tricky, you really have to look at it closely to make sure your at the correct level. One side of the dipstick will apppear correct, and the other side will be dry. This is a low level tranny and you really need to pay close attention to it. You will know what I mean when you see it. Good luck, KD