2001 Buick Lesabre Transmission Fluid & Filter Change

In this video I show you how I change the transmission fluid and filter in a 2001 Buick Lesabre with the 3.8L V6 and the 4T65E GM transmission.
!!! Disclaimer !!!!
I am a Do It Yourself, also known as DIY, mechanic. I am NOT a professional mechanic. I do not have any formal training in the automotive field.
BlazerGuy1983 assumes no liability for anything you choose to do to your vehicle, before, or after watching one of my videos or utilizing the content from this web site. My videos are solely for entertainment purposes only!
All DIY repairs or modifications you perform to your vehicle are made at your own risk. Sometimes, even if you've done everything the right way, you can destroy or damage one or more things on your vehicle. You must understand this, but by leveraging knowledge and patience, the probability of encountering one or more problems can be reduced.
Also, if for some unfortunate reason, I “BlazerGuy1983” gives incorrect instructions and something breaks because you followed my instructions, I will NOT reimburse or pay in any way for whatever cost that may be incurred due to following my wrong instructions.
Lastly, please don't do anything to your vehicle unless you yourself feel comfortable and confident in doing so.

[@keithharris4378]

Do you have some of those absorbant pads they work good for the overflow

[@charactersrandom]

I took the bolts on the smaller end first so the oil didn't go everywhere

[@HEMILYFFE]

Clearly the wife didn’t know maintenance was going down today😅

[@lawnmowermanTX]

Wonderful video! 😊 I’ll take a look at my 2004 Buick LeSabre. Wish you could do house visits. There’s no local transmission shop in Hamilton, TX i don’t have a working backup car. Would you be able to rebuild a 1982; in-line 6; Ford Granada 3.3 liter engine?? I might need an engine swap. It’s a Foxbody Granada.

[@johnwagner4559]

NEVER run in a bolt with an impact! Start by hand! Almost gave me a frickin heart attack when that music at the end started! 😆

[@clintonm1868]

is dex 3 okay to use instead of dex 5?

[@johnwagner4559]

@@clintonm1868 It's preferred.

[@clintonm1868]

@@johnwagner4559 3 dex? thanks man

[@johnwagner4559]

@@clintonm1868 Yes

[@royalbloodofthestar3551]

Nice Job..

[@williamoneal2763]

My 2001 has 268,000 and trans and engine in great shape. Do my own maintenance. Always change trans fluid around 75,000 miles and engine oil around 6000 miles. This car has served me well but I take great care and maintain it. Not perfect but can give you many miles of service.

[@brandonmccoy8769]

That’s awesome, I just picked up my Lesabre Send them my way 🤝

[@xhoustonkingx6212]

Have unchanged the head gasket on it yet?

[@jaydeus]

Change that oil every 3 my guy wth. Guarantee your valves are full of sludge

[@williamoneal2763]

@@jaydeus I do not believe you statement stands true for me. I use 10W30 full synethic AMS oil and a Wix quality filter. When removing valve covers, all lifters and area are in like new condition in appearance. My question to you...if up top of engine appears new, why would not the rest of engine be in same condition? Up top of engine is clean..clean !

[@williamoneal2763]

@@xhoustonkingx6212 Perhaps you mean..upper and lower plenum gaskets. Yes, did this around 100,000 miles. This is one of their weak points. You should not have any need for replacing head gaskets less that 350,000 or 450,00. These 3.8 engines are probably the best engines GM has ever made. Even if you go to junk yard and find and old GM with a 3.8 engine, the engine is probably still good. Other problems put this car in junk yard.. maybe too much rust, accident or bad transmission. By now you know, I love these 3.8 engines.

[@mobilecommunicationsnetwor5268]

Do you know if the lower intake manifold gasket and the upper plenum were replaced with the EGR pipe reduction? Be cautious of any reduction in coolant which would be a sign that that lower intake gasket is failing.

[@deanfleischman3813]

What an excellent video..well recorded and the mechanic both is knowledgable and articulate. So pleased I found this video and kudos to all involved!

[@jennzee8751]

I just came on here to find out where to put my transmission fluid and I have learned so much more!

[@tylernorton3085]

Shiiiiii if u really can’t find where to put it in at just put it in where u check it at pour it down that dipstick like a funnel

[@reggiesmith2535]

Exactly what I needed to know. Though I needed a torque wrench. Thanks alot

[@nfpspointblank8023]

It’s supposed to be torqued down to 10 foot pounds is what the service manual calls for but usually a socket can tight it enough. If you have a oriellys near you u can rent one for free just need the deposit in case you don’t return or buy one oriellys sales one for about 25 dollars

[@reggiesmith2535]

Thanks

[@highsobriety3789]

Changing the filter & gasket tomorrow on my 2000 LeSabre. I’m goin too used sandpaper and brake cleaner tho

[@xhoustonkingx6212]

Yeah u dint want to use a machine to grind too much. It can cause a leak.

[@stevej2031]

2min. 6 sec. in I think I heard someone say "What made you decide to do this" 🤪😆🤣

[@keithfeenstra1741]

I believe she said, “When did do decide to do this?!” Lol. It was the only time there was a cut in the video 😂

[@kingbizzle1357]

What size socket should I used????

[@lightworksgaming5073]

I have an 01 Pontiac Bonneville which has the same 3.8L V6 and i'm sure uses the same pan and bolts. Problem is I cannot find the correct socket for the pan bolts. 10mm is too small, 11mm is too big. 3/8 too small and 7/16 too big. Idk if someone put odd bolts on here or what's going on. They're not stripped either.

[@blakeraines8175]

3/8 tap it on with hammer

[@lightworksgaming5073]

@@blakeraines8175 Thanks for the reply to my issue, I appreciate it! I found out that my craftsman 10mm socket was defected and that's why it wouldn't fit. It was actually bigger than it was supposed to be smh

[@xhoustonkingx6212]

⁠yeah after a while sockets get worn out. Especially if u don't use them on stuff u are suppose to

[@lightworksgaming5073]

@@xhoustonkingx6212 turns out the socket I had was defected. It was still new and in good condition. I found out after buying another 10mm socket.

[@bobbyyoung3197]

Is your radiator cap 16 LBS on there

[@Wikishark22]

I have a 16 lbs when i changed my raidiator but before it was a 15 lbs.

[@arciefan]

Mine also went from 15 to 16lbs when I changed it.

[@edubb2491]

Do you need to change radiator cap?

[@joshuahaynes8122]

What size socket?

[@johnwagner4559]

1st thing I did was buy a new pan with the drain plug. I change fluid every 30,000 then filter and fluid every 50,000. My transmission is very happy by doing this, Exellant preventive maintenance and NEVER flush it. Really no need to. The filter grommet, or seal, is easy to change. Get a flathead screwdriver and place on the outside of seal and collapse it in on itself just a couple of hits should do it. Pull it out, then put some atf on new one and tap it in carefully using same size outer diameter socket.

[@joshuawakeley217]

Hi John, I just bought a high mileage '96 LeSabre which I suspect hasn't had a fluid change in a long while, would you recommend possibly leaving it like the video says?

[@johnwagner4559]

@@joshuawakeley217 No. Change it and put a bottle of Lucas transmission additive in. It's a white bottle, very thick additive.

[@corysturgis6660]

@@joshuawakeley217 just don't flush it. Definitely change it. I know mechanic s that say both. Changing is best. Again do not flush.

[@edubb2491]

Is there a drain plug as well? I Dont wanna drop the whole pan

[@corysturgis6660]

@@edubb2491 usually not. Sometimes. If not. Remove the bolts from the lower side of jacked up and remove more bolts as needed. Kind of creating a ramp into a drain pan. You might be able to use old gasket. Make sure to clean all mating surfaces well with brake clean. I would drop the pain and clean it out. Especially the magnet that picks up metal particles

[@bigal4304]

always wear safety glasses under a car.

[@nickseulovski]

What was the mileage on the vehicle when u changed it and has any issues come up since the change. There are so many mixed opinions on whether to change the fluid or not

[@nickseulovski]

Sorry watched the whole video saw that it was at 104000. Mine is at 150k probably should not change it

[@nickseulovski]

Michael D not known we got the car @ 70k has 150k we have never changed it since we have owned it. We had the car since 2014. Fluid doesn’t smell burnt. The fluid isn’t pink but it isn’t black. Just worried lol. There is no signs of the trans slipping either. I want to change and the start doing it every 30-40k miles after. Engine runs great too. It would just be a shame if I did this and then poof

[@nickseulovski]

I had a 97 before the one I have now (2000 lesabre) and I got almost 300,000 miles out of it and never changed the fluid. And at that point the trans wasn’t the thing that went wrong it was some type of vacuum leak cause I couldn’t keep the engine running. It would start and then die. I want to surpass that with this one it’s in better shape than my 97 ever was. They are great cars

[@K-Rock-gj2om]

Doing a flush with solvents is what causes problems. Your fluid is shot if it's over 100k easy. Your filter is prob not doing its job and the magnet that collects metal particles from normal wear is most likely caked up and not doing its job. He's only dropping the pan and changing the filter. There is still fluid in torque converter and lines going to trans cooler. Plus the cooler. So your maybe only changing half the fluid anyways. This is a simple way to maintain your transmission and it's fluid. Every 60k at a minimum I would change it.

[@jiggyg2604]

Nick Sekulovski does your trans shudder from 1st to 2nd gear? i have a 99 bonnie with 120k trans fluid is pinkish/brownish

[@michaelserrano4344]

beautiful

[@johnwagner4559]

Just replace the grommet. Easy... Just take a small flathead screwdriver and LIGHTLY tap on the edges of grommet, collapsing it in on itself and she pulls right out. Tap the new one in, lubing the outside with atf, and using a socket on the outside diameter. You'll hear when it's fully seated. Takes an extra 5 minutes. People are just lazy not doing this. Coat the pan gasket lightly with atf and use a dab of threadsealer on all the bolts. I bought new stainless 10 mill bolts along with the Dorman pan with the drain bolt... Best upgrade for this. 10ftlbs or 120 inchlbs for bolts, which isn't much just nice and snug. I'd first install ALL bolts by hand THEN tighten in crisscross pattern. This ensures you don't have gasket cocked at wrong angle. After adding 6 or so quarts, I wouldn't drive car... Just start it and let it idle for 10 minutes and shift through the gears a couple of times and then check fluid level... Add more fluid until full...

[@tombork2281]

That was a great video except for using the power tool. I have always done the work by hand. As I said great video especially the test drive after the procedure. It would have been nice to see that in regular speed instead of fast forwarding. Haha 😆

[@chrisford505]

Did it wrong listen one side and drop the other down on the end that won't happen

[@edubb2491]

SAVAGE...NO GLOVES

[@xhoustonkingx6212]

😂 usually don't use gloves myself either but I recommend them if u handling dangerous chemicals

[@edubb2491]

@@xhoustonkingx6212 lol..right

[@donnussel6263]

dont use fram oil filter will ruin enginge

[@adamdefibaugh9674]

Rule of thumb. Keep at least three used oil cans. You'll need them to measure how many quarts of transmission fluid that you removed from the pan. Replace the same amount of fresh fluid. Then add more if need be.

[@bigal4304]

or just read the manual tells you

[@xhoustonkingx6212]

@@bigal4304u can usually just Google it as well.

[@arciefan]

If not mistaken dexron vi is now recommended . At least that's what i'm reading

[@johnwagner4559]

That's too thin and you'll probably, have shifting issues.

[@billbled]

Yes, GM now recommends Dex VI - GM bulletin 04-07-30-037E (04/07/2011) clarifies this.

[@johnwagner4559]

@Paul Yall Just good old fashioned dex-merc 3. Never a question of anything but what the car was designed for.

[@johnwagner4559]

@Paul Yall Absolutely in love with them! Lol. My 03 lesabre is not only a celebration edition but an original pga tour car. I'd love to send you pics

[@eddie3500]

@@johnwagner4559 it's the same as dexron iii just better additives and better resistants to heat other wise if it was thinner it wouldn't be compatible to dexron iii and gm wouldn't recommend switching. Plus it's harder and harder to find dexron iii anyways

[@TheNickmic]

Change the bushing ! Duh !