To clean a transmission, use a degreaser to clean the outside of the pan and brake cleaner to clean the inside and gasket mating surfaces. Carefully remove all gasket material from the transmission oil pan and the mating surface on the transmission. A razor blade may be helpful in this process.
To clean a dirty transmission or engine, remove the top cover or side cover and carefully clean the gunk out. Fill a steam cleaner with clean water in the reservoir, turn it on, and let it warm up. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted degreaser and visually separate the overall area to clean into smaller areas.
A good transmission cleaner will help remove sludge and other build-up that can reduce the performance of your vehicle’s transmission. To properly use a transmission cleaner, park your vehicle on and use a high pressure washer or steam cleaner. Use simple green to clean the exterior of the torque converter, draining the transmission fluid and removing it from the transmission.
Clogged transmission filters are one of the most common causes of transmission problems and can be easily fixed by using a high pressure washer or a steam cleaner. Apply simple green to the gunk and spray wash as suggested. Vinegar works great on steel/iron but dissolves aluminum.
When cleaning a salvaged transmission, wear safety glasses, gloves, and work clothes. Squeeze dishwashing detergent in a bucket and fill it 2/3 full of water. Use a wire brush or steel wool for thick stuff. If using kerosene or paint thinner, use Dawn dishwashing liquid. Tape the input/output shafts with duct tape and a sandwich bag. Spray Super Clean on the shafts and use a parts cleaner.
📹 How to Clean A Transmission
Cleaning a dirty transmission or engine isn’t hard to do. It takes a little bit of time and a few things like degreaser and a wire brush.
📹 Super Clean vs Greasy 700r4 Transmission
That’s a nice one – I can’t wait to see my Grand Marquis bellhousing when the day comes. The rear main seal has been leaking in that for 200k miles, and every day of the nearly 17 years we’ve owned it, lol. It’s a natural undercarriage preserver. Self oiling. 😁 Good stuff, Glen! Have a great weekend. 🍻
Problem I found with this method is the dirt and grime fouled my wire brushes very quickly. A lot of the stuff on my transmission was almost like soft, cool tar. Even soaking the brushes in mineral spirits didn’t get that ** off. Though that’s also probably from rust proofing my car with Krown. What I ended up doing is filling a bucket with hot water and dish soap and a lot of rags (plus my brushes). Wipe with the rags and dish soap, scrub with brushes, then hose the transmission off with a garden hose. I did this a few times. I got almost looking brand new and it will be several days before the transmission goes back in the car (waiting for clutch which will take at least 5 more days to get here. I’ll probably also try to pick it up and drain any water out of the front and rear and drain plug too. Of course, I had to wipe my brushes several times with rags and dish soap to get the nasty stuff off.
It’s always a PITA to wash parts on site or DIYing. What I use is a combination bird bath, typical type you find in a shop with mineral spirits… or a large storage tub, like the ones from HomeDepot. I keep the purple zep in that. The tub makes it portable enough. I don’t fill it all the way up, it’s about 1/5 or 1/4 of the way filled diluted with water. Great for multiple uses. Good tips about gloves & using safety glasses. VERY harsh stuff! If using the Zep or something similar, I’d recommend the thicker nitrile ones… and nothing latex.