I am not 100% sure if the transmission fluid has ever been flushed in my car or not. All automatic cars I have owned were not "sealed for life" and general consensus is either change it at 30k 60k 120k and never again or never and replace the trans because trans flush will ruin the trans and cause slipping.
should I try to hunt down oringnal owner and ask them. Is it safe to just do it? Dont feel like replacing the trans ( duh, who does)
any advice on parts and other maintenance I should do while I'm at it or tools I would need would be great as well. As well as fluid type.
thanks for your time
7th moose ( from the left )

 

not a bad idea to replace. I have been using this https://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/...351-V6371.aspx. also replace filter. there are threads discussing the how to and such.

 

You can use Toyota type IV ATF, it is easy to find.

I just did drain & refill, you could do it twice if you want to clean it out more.

I just refilled from drain plug, with a suction-plunger pump.

Don't bother trying to refill from top plug, doesn't work.

 

Its quite a bit more work, but removing the pan once is a good idea. The design of the pan traps quite a bit of fluid in the bottom that doesn't drain, and there is also a magnet in the bottom that can be cleaned out. You need to disconnect the lower and driver side engine mount and jack up the trans to get a couple of bolts off. There is always some metal powder in the pan. The pan gasket is reusable. Dropping the filter will also release additional fluid. I don't recommend flushing it, because like you said, you may stir up stuff that could clog something. I'm a redline oil fan, but I have also heard that the Toyota oil is correct for this trans (same trans used in multiple car lines).

If you're nervous about the condition of the trans, take a sample of it when you drain it and send it off to blackstone labs for analysis. They will be able to tell you if there is excessive metal, or if the fluid is in rough shape and needs another change.

Have fun,
Mike

 

so as long as it's a drain not a flush I should be fine?
stupid me and wife did not get a print out of carfax but we both remember seeing a trans fluid service at a mini dealership. We disagree at what milage we saw it. Trying to see if they can email it to us ( because I know I'm right. Haha) I'm a little preventive about dropping sub frame is it as bad as I'm thinking? Or is it pretty easy? I only have one set of Jack stands and one hydraulic Jack

 

Yes, I would avoid the flush process. A drain should not cause any issues. If you think that there was a trans service at a MINI dealer, this info should be saved on the key. Next time you're at the dealer, ask them if there is history of this service. Even if they don't give you a printout of the service history (due to privacy issues), they should be able to confirm if it was done.

My first time with this, I didn't drop the subframe (or jack up the trans). There is one bolt that is hidden by the subframe, and inaccessible. I drilled an access hole thru the subframe for a torx socket, but it hard for me to recommend that to someone.....

Remember that draining the fluid, but not dropping the pan, is still better than doing nothing at all.

Have fun,
Mike