So I am in the works of getting prepared to replace the automatic transmission filter and fluid for the first time (almost 99k miles).

I just wonder, why is it necessary to replace the filter? After all, it's all metal. Isn't it?

 

 

Well, a filter is there to filter things. When a filter gets dirty, it doesn't filter those things. Not all filters are replaceable. Some require periodic cleaning.

SO - there is no reason NOT to clean a non-replaceable filter, in order to make sure it continues to keep doing its job.

A transmission is an expensive thing to waste by improper maintenance.

 

Well, I asked about replacing a filter and not cleaning it. So, do you mean that the filter should be cleaned and not replaced? Is the filter meant to be non-replaceable?

 

I have replaced my transmission fluid twice and never heard about an filter.

 

Since you're talking about a filter I am assuming you have an automatic? Automatic transmission filters remove debris from the transmission oil. In regards to cleaning vs replacing, I'm not sure as they might not be serviceable from looking at them - http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item3.

 

When the OP mentioned they were metal, I assumed they were a serviceable filter as opposed to a replaceable one. I may be wrong!

 

With 99K I would drop the pan and replace the filter. The housing is metal, but it might have a fabric/paper element that you can't see inside. With all the talk of how the smallest particle can screw up a transimssion, I would think the filter would have to be more than a metal screen that could be cleaned. I would also get a genuine MINI filter instead of saving $36 on a generic. After the replacement, I would change the fluid every 25-35K. and maybe the filter every 75-100K.

Are you doing the service yourself?

 

It's a flat steel piece with mesh inside of it I believe. Since I wasn't sure on it being serviceable, I asked one of our other MINI specialist and he's saying it's best to replace it.

 

Thanks for the reply! I'm having the local Mini mechanic do it. I've read in the Bentley manual and on Pelican Parts of the procedure, and it's a lot. And I'm by no means experienced. Pelican Parts says that after market suppliers many time have higher quality than OEM or Genuine parts. And Vaico has a good rating. So wouldn't the Vaico filter be better than the genuine one?

 

Not sure about the Vaico, but if you did the research then it's probably the way to go. Vaico could even be the manufacturer for the OEM filter. I would just want to be sure about the quality of the filter since there's so much labor involved in replacing it.

Keep us posted on the results.

 

You can get into six-month long arguments about whether filter X is better than Y. A new filter is better than an old filter, and that's really all you need to know at present.

One thing about OEM filters - you KNOW they meet manufacturer's specs. But that doesn't mean you have to buy them from dealers - there are plenty of online OEM sources.

 

So I want to do this as well on my moms car for her but it looks like you either need to drill a hole in the subframe or lower the subframe completely to access one last bolt on the pan... Any thoughts?

 

I've had hit or miss with Vaico. Their fuel filters actually have caused no start issues as the seals that come with them are too large. I'm not familiar myself with the transmission filter, but just went through some order histories and see no recent returns/complaints on that particular Vaico part.

 

Some people also loosen the engine mounts and raise the engine a little to gain access.