Seafoam Trans Tune: To use or not to use?

[jgue467]

So my trans at 325K shifts smooth up/down, no slipping whatsoever. But it started a slight 'whine' in 1 & 2 mostly while accelerating, more so at first startup of day. Read on some other posts to change filter, doing that tomorrow.

One gent suggested using half a can of Seafoam Trans Tune to help clean it out some before pan drop. Then use the other half with new fluid (Valvoline Max Life).

Thoughts - should i do this on an otherwise 'ok' shifting trans? Thanks.

Amazon.com: Sea Foam TT16 Trans Tune, 16 oz: Automotive

 

[MaineRunna]

Saved a transmission with PMS with Seafoam so I say yes.

 

[96RedRunner]

I used it in 96Red near same milage 300k, no before issues, fluid getting miles on it, dark red. 500 mi drain n fill add with new fluid, was shifting solid no noises at 374k.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I'm quick to use any sort of decent cleaning product but I've yet to use that one. Let us know if it clears up the noise.

 

[VernySanders]

the other thing that works well is the lucas oil trans fix! But I wouldnt use that unless your trans was slipping or clunking

 

[brillo_76]

High mile transmissions what are you going to hurt. The fluid and filter along with your magnets will need cleaned replaced as well. I cant see anything wrong with running some seafoam transmission clean through it . Then exchange all the fluid out. Replace the filter and clean the magnets up while your in there. I try to exchange my fluid every 100k miles. If towing a lot I exchange the fluid every 50k miles. Those filters need changed as well. As they plug up and cause the transmission to be starved from fluid.

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[brillo_76]

the other thing that works well is the lucas oil trans fix! But I wouldnt use that unless your trans was slipping or clunking

I would do lucus oil trans fix before a fluid exchange. Maybe a week or so. I wouldn't leave that in the fluid. If your transmission is slipping and clunking you have excessive wear in it. So eventually it's going to fail.






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[96RedRunner]

So my trans at 325K shifts smooth up/down, no slipping whatsoever. But it started a slight 'whine' in 1 & 2 mostly while accelerating, more so at first start up.......

Good Luck keep us posted. @ 325k mi I'm all ears on what you have to say about your original trans.
The 01 that replaced 96Red, 198k at purchase 217k now, spotty maint.
The more I do better it's getting, 4-5 D & F's, 557 mi on fluid exchange, tracking diff break in milage same time.
No Seafoam yet.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I have used it on a U152 on a 2004 Ford Explorer a couple of years ago after changing out two solenoids and the filter. 76k later it was still shifting well until the rear chain on that engine, thanks to the PLASTIC tensioner, broke and everything stopped permanently.

New fluid won’t hurt but in hearing a whine, start saving your pennies.

Forgot to add that after 5000 miles I drained the fluid and the ATF was black so two gallons later of Mercron and my cousin never had any more problems with the tranny.

 

[T4R2014]

Use something thicker than Maxlife. It's basically like running Toyota WS. Friend of mine has a UZJ100 with the A343F. Maxlife caused a minor torque converter whine that would go away. Especially noticeable in the cold. Swapped for Castrol IMV and the noise was drastically reduced.

If the whine gets any louder then I'd jump straight to Lucas stop slip. All it really does is increase viscosity even more.

 

[Satter]

Scotty Kilmer says to never use Seafoam for anything. Don’t know how right he is about that though.

He recommends Lucas Transmission Fix.

 

[VernySanders]

if you have a whine your filter is clogged and needs to be changed. If this is done the whine will go away with my experience on my old auto trans it worked each of the three times as the trans go progressively cleaner.

 

[jgue467]

Replace filter, cleaned magnets (had some fine metal debris after 90,000 miles since last cleanout) and replaced fluid with valvoline IMV and the whine is reduced considerably when trans is first used each day, once warm there is no more whine. Fluid was red and translucent when it drained, magnets has all the debris and old filter appeared clean at three openings. Next I'll cut it open....

 

[LittleCaesar]

Excellent. Valvoline IMV ATF is no where to be found around here, usually is too expensive ($25+) versus Maxlife, or even Castrol’s IMV ATF, when used by others.

 

[jgue467]

Excellent. Valvoline IMV ATF is no where to be found around here, usually is too expensive ($25+)...

Yes, pricey, about $28+tax in austin, found it via walmart's site but it actually was sold/delivered for free (orders over 35) same day by Advance Auto, they gave me a 15% off making it about $77 for 3 gallons. Still ouches....I only did a single drain/fill since fluid appeared so translucent so still have 1.5 gls left, will drain/fill again at next months bi-annual oil change. I still have not used the Seafoam Trans Tune, almost afraid since this combination filter/drain-fill is helping out so much, so far.

Should i mix in 1/2 a can with next drain/fill?

 

[LittleCaesar]

My buddy used something called Auto RX (like the Sea Foam I imagine) in a old Ford transmission that was notorious for the valve body gumming up. Did a pan drop, and added the bottle and ran it for less than 1000 miles, then dropped the pan again and the ATF was something black. Poured in some new Mercron and it lasted another 60,000 miles if I remember until something else killed the truck.

But considering your old fluid was red, I would just leave well enough alone unless the noise increases again. Then it would be IMHO time to try the Seafoam.

 

[96RedRunner]

I still have not used the Seafoam Trans Tune, almost afraid since this combination filter/drain-fill is helping out so much, so far.

Should i mix in 1/2 a can with next drain/fill?

I would, Your filtering drain n fill routine is working. All your leaving behind is the varnish that builds up with miles, that's what supposedly Seafoam disolves.