Hello guys,

I just got myself one of these. I have about 9.5K miles only on the truck, and plan to do a fluid and filter change in the process at installation. I have some dumb questions:

1. I see there is a flat style tranny filter, is there another screw on filter (from/for the cooler)?
2. Do you guys replace the "seal" for the flat filter when doing this? Or, just leave the old one there alone. I have a new seal that came with the kit. If so, what is the best way to remove the old seal? Truck is not that old so I'm thinking to leave it alone.
3. Opinions on fluid replacement; I do 75% of miles towing medium to heavy. Should I go with synthetic? If so, should I just put back in what came out and up to the mark (I know I need about 3 or 4 more due to the deeper pan) or should I go ahead and try to drain the converter and much as I can and refill? Or should I just stick with the ATF+4 regular?
4. Pan gasket: just slap it on, or should I use some RTV with the gasket or other?

Thanks in advance for the thoughts/opinions .

 

Hi,
1&2. when I changed my flat filter, I left the oring in there, was not damaged and would have been difficult to get out. Also, the screw on filter is inside the pan.

3. All ATF+4 fluid is synthetic.

3. I re-used the old gasket. The truck had 65,000 miles on it and gasket was fine.

 

Comments in red!

And put some miles on that truck already......

 

I was not aware that the ATF+4 was synthetic, thanks . I will just go with the refill then, not worry about the filter seal either. I did get the screw on filter as well so thank you for confirming. I'm thinking that about 6 quarts is what would drain out so I should plan on having 9 or 10 to put back with the new pan.

MH does not recommend any cork gasket with their pan and it did come with what looks like a paper-product gasket. I will use it.

By the way, I got a MH Rear Diff cover too . Also, one of those EZ change plugs for the oil, FG filter, and the new style Fuel Filter set-up...

I like to (at least think that I) take care of those that I love . I'm still trying to keep the relationship "new" , hence the miles are low.

Don't think I can wait to wear out those stock tires though to upgrade like Blake!

 

I could have sworn that the gasket that came with my MH was cork....

 

Me too.. It is a heavy bugger to get into place.

But from a cooling aspect, I think its overkill now.. Even towing my RV through the mountains and some construction traffic in the city, never got over 170°F on the pan.. Runs cool for sure.

 

You mean after the MH install? For the most part with general ups and downs in the hills and such, I'm seeing about 170F on the insight with the stock pan, but on several occassions when working hard, some longer grades, and hot outside, I did see it up to around 220F...

Makes me feel and I like the added insurance against the heat buid up. Who knows if I will ever have a need for a BOMBed tranny someday too .

 

Wow, maybe it does more than I thought.. The insight would have the transmission outlet temp wouldn't it? That would be the hottest temp. The pan temp would be much lower.

 

Good question there. I would think this is true as the information is from the OBD II and this is probably what the computer would want to know. I think I read some posts long ago about backing up a hill while towing and this causing tons of heat and in turn there was a warning light/buzzer or something that came on at a certain point...

Cooler pan juice going in should reduce the hottest temp coming out, so I would think I would see a difference on the Insight after?

 

Man I gotta run mine like a dog to see 150. Now that is empty. Crusing around it usually stays around 125.

Aint pulled nothing really heavy, really far recently but Ill report on the temp if and when I do.

 

My gauge doesn't go lower than 140.. Empty I rarely see anything over 150, except on a hot day.. Also I have an issue with connection to the sensor not staying true Gonna have to get under there again when it drys out.