Transmission fluid change Fiasco, HEEELP !!!

[AK-47-Patriot]

Brought my 2016 hyundai genesis rwd 3.8 8 speed automatic, 46000k on odo, to dealer to have trans fluid changed. Here's what happened. I told them specifically to use fluid exchange machine ( not drain and fill) no chemicals. Change filter and use the proper required ATF-SP-IV-RR trans fluid. After service performed 2 hours later. They come out and say there is no trans filter which is wrong, we did drain and fill, not an exchange and on the service order it says they used ATF-SP-IV-M trans fluid.This is the wrong trans fluid. They do not have a service manager and this guy didn't know what he was doing. He also said you can't use trans fluid exchange machine on a sealed transmission. Question #1 can you use a trans fluid exchange machine on this type of tranny or is that B.S. and will this incorrect trans fluid damage the trannsmision. There is also a powerful odor of used trans fluid in the cabin even after its been sitting overnight off. There is no visable fluid in the car. He also said he broke a wrench trying to remove drain bolt or something like that. I'm very angry and worried about this. I'm going back there this morning and expecting the everything fine tell you want you want to hear bologna. So fact based assistance would help. I'm also the 2nd owner and powertrain warranty is almost over . Also trans fluid was brownish dark red proving that you should never believe owners manual recommendation of 60k mile trans fluid change. Thanks.

 

[carguy75]

WOW. Stories like yours is why I just do my own vehicle maintenance whenever possible. However, the tech maybe correct about not being able to use an fluid exchange machine to change fluid in this transmission. I say this because the transmission pan uses a straw-like tube measuring item to assist in maintaining the proper fluid level by draining the excess fluid at a certain temperature. I can see that can being hard to do with a fluid exchanger.

However, I guess that a person could measure the old fluid amount that drains out the pan and replace with the same amount of fresh fluid. The only problem with that method is that a leaky transmission may be low on fluid; so you will still be running low after the fluid change if you only go by what drained out.

The proper way is to drain the pan and then fill the transmission to a specific amount and let the excess fluid drain when at the proper temperature.

The tech is wrong about the transmission filter; the filter is actually built into the transmission pan itself so the pan has to be swapped to change the filter. Wrong fluid was used as well it seems, therefore drain that fluid ASAP to prevent damage. I would not use that dealership repair shop again if I were you based off your account.

 

[Toddasaurus]

WOW. Stories like yours is why I just do my own vehicle maintenance whenever possible. However, the tech maybe correct about not being able to use an fluid exchange machine to change fluid in this transmission. I say this because the transmission pan uses a straw-like tube measuring item to assist in maintaining the proper fluid level by draining the excess fluid at a certain temperature. I can see that can being hard to do with a fluid exchanger.

However, I guess that a person could measure the old fluid amount that drains out the pan and replace with the same amount of fresh fluid. The only problem with that method is that a leaky transmission may be low on fluid; so you will still be running low after the fluid change if you only go by what drained out.

The proper way is to drain the pan and then fill the transmission to a specific amount and let the excess fluid drain when at the proper temperature.

The tech is wrong about the transmission filter; the filter is actually built into the transmission pan itself so the pan has to be swapped to change the filter. Wrong fluid was used as well it seems, therefore drain that fluid ASAP to prevent damage. I would not use that dealership repair shop again if I were you based off your account.

Agreed on all of the above.

OP - In order to replace the transmission oil filter, you must replace the entire drain pan, and it's not cheap at around ~$160 online (though, it could be MUCH worse). Swapping should be pretty easy, just drain your ATF, unbolt the old pan, swap in the new, then refill your fluid on one of the bolts on the side of the tranny.

The problem would be getting rid of all the wrong ATF they put in. The transmission takes something like up to 10 quarts, but the oil pan only holds something like 4 quarts... So when changing fluid you can almost get half of the fluid out. I'm not aware of any way to completely drain all of the fluid for a fresh start, so that leaves just changing the fluid again and again to hopefully get most of the bad fluid out.

 

[carguy75]

Agreed on all of the above.

OP - In order to replace the transmission oil filter, you must replace the entire drain pan, and it's not cheap at around ~$160 online (though, it could be MUCH worse). Swapping should be pretty easy, just drain your ATF, unbolt the old pan, swap in the new, then refill your fluid on one of the bolts on the side of the tranny.

The problem would be getting rid of all the wrong ATF they put in. The transmission takes something like up to 10 quarts, but the oil pan only holds something like 4 quarts... So when changing fluid you can almost get half of the fluid out. I'm not aware of any way to completely drain all of the fluid for a fresh start, so that leaves just changing the fluid again and again to hopefully get most of the bad fluid out.

True, you will have to change the fluid at least three times to swap all of the old fluid/incorrect fluid I believe. Drain/fill, drive a few miles to mix and drain it again; repeat process until the wrong fluid is gone or diluted by the correct fluid. I would keep the old transmission filter in place until the last drain and then swap pans.

The correct fluid is pretty good quality and should still be usable if changed early before 100k miles or so before it breaks down; therefore I believe changing the fluid once a year or even twice a year will keep the transmission running fine even if it still have some old fluid leftover when changed. The filter should be good for another 100k miles.

Note: You never really drain all the old engine oil every oil change, however the old oil is mixed in the new oil with a high clean to dirty oil ratio since most of the engine is drained out the pan. The transmission fluid would need to be changed more often to provide a better clean to dirty oil ratio in the system like with the engine since most of the transmission fluid is still in the torque converter after a drain. Therefore, I will probably change my transmission fluid twice a year due to how easy the job is, however once a year is more likely.