Flush, Flush, Flush, Flush,...

[zzzhuh]

Hello All,

I definately believe in good maintenance, but when I took my Cruiser in for the 36,000 mile oil change, they wanted $600- to:

Flush the Power Steering,
Flush the Brakes
Flush the Transmission
Flush the Radiator
and throw on a set of wiper blades.

I asked for a written estimate and headed for the door.


If they had said you only need one or two of these, I would have believed it was genuine, but with a list like this, it sounds like I'm being taken to the bank.

I'll get it all done, but by less expensive mechanics.


Who does your routine maintenance? ...and if you do it yourself, how do you open the drain to flush the radiator?


Thanks.

[CREWZIN]

Flush the Power Steering: Most of us are using schedule "B" and there's nothing in that schedule about Power Steering flush. If fact, if your not having trouble with your steering, leave it alone for a long, long time

Flush the Brakes: Nothing again about flushing the brake fluid. Usually the brake fluid is good for about 2 years. But keep your eye on it; if you think it's become contaminated (darker color) change it, and water (condensation) does penetrate the system no matter how careful you are so don't go too much longer than 2 years.

Flush the Transmission: The schedule calls for transaxle fluid change with filter at 48K and 96K. You don't need it now.

Flush the Radiator: Nothing about changing/flushing the radiator but all the new cars can go a couple years (some say 5 years) before a flush is needed. If your up north, get yourself a cheap sensor that tells you how cold your engine is protected down to.

Wiper blades: Your discretion. If they work well and don't smear..leave them alone. Take a look at the ends of the blades, if they are worn/torn, replace them. I used to work at 2 different gas stations that did inspections in Philadelphia. Inspection twice a year. The first thing we did was to replace the wiper blades (needed or not), makes the station money.

Two more things: Drive belt replacement at 60K (good), Timing Belt at 120K (personally I wouldn't go that far)

The above is my opinion only and I'm sure it differes from others..but you asked.

[RallyDRock]

i pull the lower radiator hose
using a special connector that allows me to attach a garden hose to the lower radiator i reverse flow the cooling system. at this time i usually replace the hoses and thermostat for piece of mind. once it is filled with 50/50 mix of dexcool/distilled water i let it idle to make sure the fan is operating.

brake fluid should be changed at least every three years because it absorbs moisture. i do mine every 15-20K miles

Transmission flush and fill anywhere from 30-50K depending on conditions. I have a manual so no flushing for me just changing

Power steering is one that i have to do yet, our cruisers run the steering at high temperatures so its not a bad idea.

I put on new bosch micro edge wipers anually whether i need 'em or not

[gonzomania]

RallyDRock,
How do you dispose of all that water. This is something that always made me standoffish on doing it myself. Another question has anyone out there done their "own" automatic trans flush with filter change?

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by gonzomania

Another question has anyone out there done their "own" automatic trans flush with filter change?

Gonzo,

Don't think yo can do your own transaxle flush because the whole job includes the convertor(?) which holds about 8 to 10 quarts and has to be pumped out with special equipment. You can drop the pan and change the filter but that only gets you about a 5 quart change of fluid.

[Goldenturtle02]

zzzhuh, did they hit you for changing the air in the tires, with some crooks posing as mechanics these days this would not surprize me

[bigtommy83]

Power steering flush? I think some dealership (or wherever) just bought a power steering flush machine and need to justify the $1,000 expense.

Flush brakes..well, this i have never done and have never seen it done, unless the 120,000 mile caravan comes in with a seized up abs pump or a local carx has filled the brake resevoir with power steering fluid. (happens more than you think)Brake fluid only absorbs moisture if you have a leak in your system. Check your cap if you are worried. Replace that for 2.00 every 30k if you want but it is not needed.

Trans flush...We have a trans flusher at work, but, we only really use it if we replace valve bodies. If you do a regular trans service, (drop the pan, clean it up, change filter) it is perfectly fine. The filter is there for a reason. If it is old, it will not be as effective. otherwise everything that runs through the trans has to go through the filter.

Radiator flush...I do this every 2 years personally. I hate the red coolant. It doesn't hold up to the 5 years or 100k like they say. I have a tester made for red coolant and most of the vehicle over 30 k or are going to be going into their 3rd winter, require a flush. Most people don't argue, especially when I show them both the 6 disc tester and the ph test strip. But remember, I am in wisconsin. Different climates will be different, but I do not see any of those vehicles.

Use your own best judgement with what you want to do and when. If you keep up with what your manual says, that is all that is required to keep your warranty active. If you have an extended, they usually like to see proof if something major happens, or after the factory expires and you will be using the extended. But if you don't have an extended, and you don't do all the necessary maintenance, you will have a problem and it will get pricy. It is a machine. It needs all those parts under that hood, otherwise they wouldn't be there. A little money now is better than an engine later.

[quicksilverdon]

Someone please explain to me why a radiator flush is needed. It's a sealed system. Does scaling still occur with the new coolants? I feel the "old" water in the mix is better than fresh, because it's had most of the air driven out of it.
MY OPINION.[:I]

[RallyDRock]

Gonz, i drain all the coolant that i can first then just go at it, there is not much residual coolant an it gets diluted by the water and ends up coming out cleaner than you'd expect.

Don, there is a bleeder valve to remove air from the cooling system. The coolant oxidizes and can gunk up the tubes in the radiator.

I am a maintenance nazi. everything must be kept tip top or else.

oh and i change the brake fluid so often because i use dot5 fluid and its an excuse to play with my phoenix injector

[zzzhuh]

Thanks to all of you!!!


I've decided to go ahead and let them do the Brake flush & the Radiator flush.

Especially since the brakes are the most important part on a car.

But I'll hold off on the power steering flush & transmission flush until I get another opinion, or until 48,000 miles when it's required.


Thanks!
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