Hey! my first post here!

I'm wanting to flush my own trans fluid (03 Sonata 2.7L V6) next weekend. I can get my hands on the spIII fluid, and the filter/gasket, but was wondering if anyone else has flushed their automatic trans. I've done it on my Chrysler Concorde, and it's pretty easy:

Drop the pan,
replace the filter and pan gasket,
refill to spec (about 4 qts),
pull the trans cooler return hose,
point the hose into a bucket,
get about 4 quarts of new fluid open and ready, and a funnel ready in the dipstick,
have someone start the car,
immediately start pouring the trans fluid into into the trans,
after pumping out about 4 quarts into the bucket. or when fluid pumping into
bucket drops pressure, Yell "stop the car!".
refill flud to spec.
do 4 more qts (for a 12 qt system)


That being said...
I haven't been underneath the Sonata yet!. Is the pan removal straghtforward?
which of the two hoses is the trans cooler "return" line (out of the radiator)?

Anyone???

This post has been edited by rob4: Apr 20 2008, 09:59 PM

Not as hard as you have it above. I did this last Spring.

No need for the pan and gasket...there is a drain plug. No need to take the pan off what so ever. Plus, the filter is Lifetime kind of filter and it is so tucked up in the tranny that you won't want to try and disassemble the inards to get at it.

Fluid flush only.

Jack up the front with both wheels off the ground and your parking brake set.

Drain plug ... about a quart or 3.

Now pull off the cooler line of your choice...not sure which side is pressure and return, but the return would be preferrable...to get the old fluid out of the radiator cooler.

Get a bucket and catch.

Have spouse (who hasn't woken up from a nap optimal) Turn the key on, not start. Press brake pedal and shift to neutral THEN start the car. To be on the safe side, do this before your spouse has to start it so there is no confusion as to what you want to do. That way she just has to start the car.

In nuetral, the trans pump will circulate fluid into catch container. Once fluid sputters , shut off the car, wait a couple minutes, and start the car again. More fluid will pump out and will begin to sputter. Shut car off. For a third time, start car and get what fluid is left...if fluid sputters on the 3rd start, you have most of it.

Put the cooler lines back on and plug back and fill with the first 3 quarts and start the car to circulate (again in nuetral.) Fill the rest of the way until trans is almost full.

I like to top it off with a quart of Lucas transmission additive. Returned the firm shifts to like new.

Took me an hour...and my wife finished her nap.

Chris

Just to recap.. for my 2002 sonata V6 when I need to change transmission fluid ... i just need to flush the transmission fluid and not change any filters or any other parts. Can any expert confirm this and the average cost for this job. Thanks in advance.

The tranny filter is 'lifetime' and you would have to take half the trans apart to get to it....

Fluid will be $50 or so....I forget how much fluid is needed...but it will be easier than you think.

Chris

Could somebody suggest the specs of transmission fluid suitable for 2002 hyundai sonata so I can make sure its the right fluid if I do not go to the hyundai dealer.

in spite of some other posts you might see on thease forums the only fluid that you should use is the hyundai SP111 trans fluid which is only available from your dealer

How can I tell which cooler hose is which? I don't want to put the wrong end in the bucket and then get fluid sprayed all over the engine from the other open end. Also, I don't understand why the above procedure says to shift to neutral. Won't the pump work just the same with the vehicle in park?

My understanding Hyundai trannys don't pump in park so you have to put it in neutral.

John