Colorado Canyon Transmission Service | 6L50E Fluid & Filter Change

[@Mpactpics]

Gotta love a guy who hits the main points and obstacles, without wasting breathe for superfluous commentary. Excellent tutorial. 🙏

[@tmo2798]

This dude is a boss. I know this about a minute in. I'm glad I won't let wagies touch it. Probably saved lots of people hundreds and thousands. Thank you.

[@TheBanshee17-SS]

This is the most informative and straight forward video on this transmission thank you

[@patrickjones1971]

Definitely made my first time changing my trans fluid a breeze. Thanks Steve!

[@the_salty_captain]

This is great! Totally giving me the confidence to do the fluid change myself on my diesel with the 6L50

[@SDSGarage89]

From what I understand the trucks with the mini-Max’s are even easier. No damn Y pipe that needs to be messed with to drop the pan.

[@ohtawk]

Will this help with shudder issues?

[@A.Mazon01]

For future reference u can get that exhaust nut off with a mid size impact swivel socket

[@TheSilver9r]

I watch another vid and that guy only got ~3.5 L out when he sucked out the pan, I got the same amount you did about 5.5L. Thanks for the vid, will save me a couple hundred bucks every change.

[@SDSGarage89]

It’s really not a bad process to change it. Only downside is you have to get rid of the fluid. Saves a dealer charging you for it though! Not sure how buddy only got 3.5L out of it lol.

[@wk7060]

If you have never tried Marvel Mystery Oil as a penetrant, give it a try sometime. I have used it since my father in law told me about it in the 1960’s. Best ever, has never let me down.

[@SDSGarage89]

Thought about the Marvel Mystery oil, could never figure out what was in it tho…… big PB Blaster guy

[@truckinman86]

6L50Es are also found on the Duramax models of Colorado/Canyon.

[@nertavobedarancharanjr.7836]

Thanks for the most informative and wonderful demonstration but it seems like a headache 🤕 and lots a patience I’m having issues with my 2016 canyon the transmission is skipping . They have to take it down and diagnose the problem .

[@SDSGarage89]

Oh man, skipping doesn’t seem good. As much as I hate this transmission and it shifts like a bag of hammers it has never slipped. How many km do you have on your truck?

[@nertavobedarancharanjr.7836]

@@SDSGarage89 The mileage is about 40,ooo miles approx. 64,000 kilometers . The truck has never been over driven .

[@SDSGarage89]

@@nertavobedarancharanjr.7836 if you have warranty definitely start hammering the dealer to figure that out. That is very unfortunate and would just ruin the experience of the truck. I have absolutely used mine hard. Pulled 6,000 lbs around more times than I can count and it has been fine. Aside from the shudder and gear changes you could park a plane between the odd time.

[@theirthereandtheyre2947]

I saw a video where a guy installed a dipstick into the fill hole on the transmission.

[@SDSGarage89]

I also saw that. Interesting idea but I shy’d away from that. Was worried it might pop out and piss fluid everywhere. Good idea non the less!

[@fondupot]

Nice job and nice video. I just made a video for my 2019 Canyon with the 8 Speed. Very similar process for that trans.

[@SDSGarage89]

Is the 8 speed any better for hesitation than the 6? I have done what i could with throttle map and TCM tuning but it acts as if the motor has about 50lbs/ft more torque than it does.

[@fondupot]

@@SDSGarage89 I've never had any complaints about the 8 speed. It's been a great truck for me. I also have a trifecta tune on my truck which helps with the throttle response.

[@josephchewning919]

To anyone reading this im watching this video to see how to trans is filled with no dipstick. BUT you DO NOT need to disconnect the y pipe. i dropped the pan. pan cant come out but the filter can, then suck the fluid out. Working on cars sucks when you dont have a few years worth of professional tools

[@SDSGarage89]

Dang, that’s wild. How were you able to work the filter loose with the pan still in place? When I first tried and got hung up on the Y pipe I was not brave enough to let it hang. Auto Transmissions are black magic to me and I was very nervous of messing up something on the valve body or a wire or a sensor.

[@jayzee9273]

Why not take the extra step and just remove the pan to clean it properly?

[@josephchewning919]

@@jayzee9273 because it’s the difference between the customer paying 1.5 hrs and 3.5 lol you pay for what you prefer

[@leadnsteel1428]

I switched the factory fluid to Amsoil and I noticed a huge difference in the way it shifts.

[@SDSGarage89]

Interesting. Has it got rid of the low speed shudder?

[@leadnsteel1428]

@@SDSGarage89 yes. It shifts smoother and I gained a bit more mpgs and the transmission runs cooler as well I've heard some people use Valvoline as well but it's not as good as the Amsoil.

[@SDSGarage89]

@@leadnsteel1428 sounds like the truck is getting Amsoil for it’s next change. Any particular weight or flavour of Amsoil?

[@leadnsteel1428]

@@SDSGarage89 just the recommended weight. Just have to make sure it sais gm Dexron IV/V compatible. I also use Amsoil for my differentials and transfer case too

[@ted2010new]

Great job dude! Thanks for the video

[@wolves_blade4788]

I ran into that same problem and didn't want to break the studs on the pipe. Ended up pumping out the oil from the bottom of the pan and reusing the gasket.

[@SDSGarage89]

You can get it off without breaking the stud. I took a Dremel to the but and ground it away until I could snap it. Tossed a new one on and all good. Admittedly it was a giant pain in the nuts. PB blaster is your friend for those guys

[@trentonwilliams4095]

Great Video! Do you happen to know the torque specs for the trans pan bolts? Thanks!

[@SDSGarage89]

They were stupid low. Like 18-20lbs feet. There were many things online about them being easy to over tighten and strip out. I just eye balled them with a ratchet

[@11Bulletstopper]

Very cool. I’m assuming this would be an identical process for the 2.8l duramax?

[@SDSGarage89]

Should be easier considering you don't have a Y pipe. There may be a slight difference if you have the 8 speed. If not, should be the same procedure.

[@SDSGarage89]

@Lawrence Chiasson Awh too bad. Any emissions system issues with DEF? How many miles are on it? Always wanted a mini-max. Was curious was the market for deleting and tuning them is.

[@SDSGarage89]

@Lawrence Chiasson nice! Gotta ask, what do you see for mileage on the highway?

[@SDSGarage89]

@Lawrence Chiasson Damn. That's legit. i get around 21 to 25 depending on speed with the LFX and 5 speed.

[@SDSGarage89]

@Lawrence Chiasson I bet. Price vs gas here in Canada is stupid! Gas is already way to expensive as it is.

[@ted2010new]

Great job! Thanks for the video

[@SDSGarage89]

Hope it helps

[@wolves_blade4788]

The other way to do that would be loosening the mounts and jacking it all up enough to get the pan out.

[@SDSGarage89]

Thought about that but decided for all the messing around was just as easy to drop the pipe.

[@garretlewis4103]

The exhaust mounts or engine/transmission mounts? Just trying to figure out which mounts you are talking about. Did you service your transmission this way and how did it work?

[@ericmacias3327]

Tried searching for your fluid filler 4000 but don’t see it on internet

[@isaacmaue-tg7kl]

Be careful with the exhaust removal. I snapped one of the studs right off.

[@sampurdy8646]

Great video, lots of tips!!

[@wagdbikerider]

great video doing my first change at 30K miles so i dont expect the level of metal shavings you had haha

[@SDSGarage89]

Be curious to see the magnet. Good luck

[@AnitaBeerstein]

Just changed mine at 57k miles for I believe the first time. Was surprised to see how dark my fluid was, also had a ton of fine particles in my pan and on my magnet as well.

[@wagdbikerider]

It was very dark oil at 30k miles and had a fuzzy sludge on the magnet. Honestly surprised it was that bad. New oil is in and new filter. I'm hoping it was just breakin debris

[@AnitaBeerstein]

@@wagdbikerider Yeah same, ill do mine again in another 30k miles

[@listonthomas796]

Nice,question can a Jimmy transmission the same as chevy colorado,think they used the same engine

[@Auby03]

Steve - any chance did you look into exchanging the tranny fluid over to the Mobil 1 Synthetic Blue Label, that they were changing over to in the 8-speed to mitigate the torq shudder?

[@SDSGarage89]

Damn! I wish I had! I just stuck with the recommended dexos fluids 😔

[@retireditguy9493]

Great video. I have a 2017 Canyon with the 8L45, but haven’t changed the fluid yet because after 4 years I just turned 7000 miles. I have done three 5th gen Camaros with the 6L50 and 6L80 transmissions, each at about 75K miles and each one of those had a solid coating of clutch material lining the bottom of the pan. Your pan was exceptionally clean. How many miles were on that transmission fluid?

[@SDSGarage89]

So the only true tell on wear was the magnet. I had previously tried to change the fluid and totally messed it up. Had fluid out, pan bolts undone, but then stripped the living Christ out of a Y pipe bolt. Had to abandon ship and put fresh fluid in without getting the old filter off while I fought with the stupid bolt. That fluid had a few hundred on it. The fluid I did take out had 100k on it and was dark but didn’t smell burnt

[@kramnull8962]

Even the 6L80 's secret is letting off the throttle, shifting through 3, 4 and 5th gears.... I mean my 2.5L in my 2015 has a little baby tranny, for a 1960's weight vehicle. I'd trust it to tow a mouse in a teaspoon.

[@shawnwalden2669]

thank you, incase i missed it were did you purchase the pump from to drain and refill, also i wonder if installing a drain plug would be good?

[@SDSGarage89]

I bought the fluid extractor from a boat supply store years ago to work on ski boat i had at the time. You can find them on Amazon and i have thrown a link down below to one that looks pretty much the same. As for a drain, it certainly would be handy but that would required swapping the pan and i didn't want to get into that nonsense. I have seen people add dip sticks as well through the small fill hole on the right hand side of the trans. www.amazon.ca/Mityvac-7400-Liter-Fluid-Evacuator/dp/B000JFJM14/ref=asc_df_B000JFJM14/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=293000677620&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5320916833671488204&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000910&hvtargid=pla-627395052712&psc=1

[@shawnwalden2669]

@@SDSGarage89 ty !!

[@SDSGarage89]

The Fluid extractor is pricing but god damn is it handy. used it on my truck, snowmobiles four wheelers, sucking old gas out of tanks. A great addition if you are messing with engines.

[@shawnwalden2669]

@@SDSGarage89 yup i have had several instances were i have needed one lol. thanks again!

[@Konardrjosh]

I know this is an older video but I have a question. Is there a specific reason you only do the partial fluid replacement? I've seen a few forum posts about not flushing transmissions that are older and (presumably) have tons of deposits. I'm hitting 30k and had originally planned on doing the traditional poor man's flush like I used to do on my Xterra. Am I missing something?

[@tigerace351]

Higher mileage transmissions over 100-120k that have never had the fluid serviced, ever, run the risk of them slipping permanently after a flushing machine is used. Just doing the pan/gasket only removes about half the fluid, and typically has no problems. Your trans at 30k would be no problem to do either way. GM Auto Tech.

[@Konardrjosh]

Thanks a ton! @@tigerace351

[@klem7215]

So do you keep the drain plug in as you fill it then remove it after you heat it up?

[@SDSGarage89]

I left it out until it started to sort of leak out then screwed it back in and put another litre in before fire up. Filter will not be full after being replaced so once you put the + 1 litre in, fire it up, get it to temp and take the rear plug out to check. Add fluid until it starts to come out and then while it is at heat and running wait till it stops coming out and you are done.

[@d.arterburn]

Exhaust y pipe nuts are R hand turn correct? Been hitting mine with Wd40 for a few days and haven’t gotten any of the 6 to budge. Scrubbed with a wire brush, hit with a breaker bar and impact drill. Letting them soak in PB blaster tonight to hopefully get them loose. 2016 gmc canyon 108k…. Attempting its first transmission and filter change.

[@SDSGarage89]

I honestly can’t remember. I don’t think they were reverse thread. It can get squirrely depending on which way you are trying to get at the bolt. Also, get some PB blaster penetrating oil. Makes WD40 look like child’s play.

[@madhatter5331]

A mixture of acetone and ATF 50/50 shake well will penetrate rusty bolts. Don't use a plastic container for mixture because acetone can eat through plastic. Worked great for me.

[@dannymartinez8522]

I see the truck has 179k miles is that 1st time you did a fluid change?

[@SDSGarage89]

I had a shop do it at about 80,000 km so this was the second fluid change. Probably left it a bit long.

[@jimdent351]

Where did you get that fluid pump.

[@PascualAlonso-n8n]

Entonces para que tire el exceso lo tengo que encender?

[@ericmacias3327]

My 2016 Colorado has 97k and I have never changed the tranny fluid. Is it safe for me to change? Iv heard if you wait to long to just leave it alone because it could cause the tranny to start slipping. What should I do?

[@pablocarocacarrera7832]

Did you finally change the fluid?

[@duanerykhus9425]

Thank you

[@livefreeordie4586]

How many quarts did you end up putting back in there?

[@SDSGarage89]

I put back in about 5.5 litres so I think that’s around 5 quarts. Not sure what the conversions is. I believe the full system is 7L but I never bothered to drain the cooler. As long as you fill it, run it up to temp and check the level with the full level plug at the back I think you should be safe.

[@livefreeordie4586]

@@SDSGarage89 ok cool, thanks for the response 👍🏻

[@jarretandrade6189]

Why wouldn’t you just take the drain plug out instead of the suction tool?

[@SDSGarage89]

Unfortunately the plug at the back is not to drain the fluid, it is only to make sure the fluid is at the proper operating level by draining off small amounts of excess fluid, not the entire pan. It is located at the back of the pan and is considerably higher than the bottom. I have seen forums on line where people put in aftermarket pans with a real drain plug.

[@pucheco69]

Does the Diesel engines Colorado has the same trans?

[@SDSGarage89]

Not 100% on that. I want to say yes but i would check up Colorado / Canyon forums to be sure. Tons of awesome info on there.

[@wolves_blade4788]

Have you ever experienced the transmission/torque converter "shutter" in your vehicle?

[@SDSGarage89]

Only every time I drive it. I flashed a TCM tune in a few years ago and it helped a bunch but I feel like the GM learning software starts to take over after a certain amount of time. I have an update program for it but haven’t had a chance to update it yet.

[@lelandmason5760]

I have a 2018 with the 2.5 liter, it has the 6L50 (not the E), does anyone know if the procedure is the same?

[@SDSGarage89]

Didn’t realize they kept the 6 speed with the 2.5 after they introduced the 8 speed. When I was trying to figure out how to do this I googled cars with the similar trans as mine (Camaro, CTS, I think it’s even in a Bmw or two) as they had a very similar procedure. Provided you have the right fluid and filter from a GM dealer based on your VIN I’d say you would be safe in doing the same procedure. Do your homework though.

[@lelandmason5760]

Sweet thanks it’s the same, where did you buy your filter?

[@SDSGarage89]

@@lelandmason5760 I bought my filter from my local GM dealer. I’m sure you could get one off rock auto for cheaper but I just wanted to be 100%. I have gotten a few things from them and you can be 100% certain it’s right. Just give them the last 8 of the vin and your golden.

[@gabes-vq1fz]

ya know we just cant do a god dam dip stick huh general motors

[@bvar8569]

I dont have y pipe, I was smart enough to get the diesel

[@SDSGarage89]

Any issues with the emissions systems? Was always curious about that.

[@tedoud4738]

@@SDSGarage89 I have a diesel, as well as two friends. We've all had issues with the DEF injection system. All had problems in cold weather, -15C or 5F. Mine had the tank, tank heater and pump changed the first season, and then the injection line the second winter. In the third winter and so far ok. I love the truck still, though. ZR2.

[@SDSGarage89]

@@tedoud4738 That is too damn bad. I sold GM cars way back in the day and the amount of 2500's i would see come in with DEF issues in the winter always made me wary. Has anybody just straight up deleted the emissions systems? I figured the motors themselves would be fine seeing as they are a Dmax motor.

[@tedoud4738]

@@SDSGarage89 I met a guy last month who had done a delete with no issues.

[@SDSGarage89]

@@tedoud4738 right on. I always figured deleting all the emissions crap would alleviate so many headaches and make the truck even better.

[@christinehawkes4771]

Shouldn’t you be wearing gloves for this?

[@30guarino]

And stay 6ft away from a mirror …. Social distancing

[@Romulan112]

This is wrong. This way will kill/damage your transmission.

[@sarahcallejas2502]

What’s wrong?? Everything so far looks like he’s doing correctly.

[@Romulan112]

@@sarahcallejas2502 He fills it cold with the overflow plug out. You tighten the over fill bolt, fill it,with a tad more than you drained. Then, you run it to the required temp, and then take the over flow plug out. One usually gets about a gallon out of the plug when its cold. For him to fill it and leave the plug out is a no-no. That means you are 1 gallon short.

[@efanclublolsmaforlife2501]

Ya not a 6 speed

[@SDSGarage89]

🤔

[@amirulhaziq8006]

membantu 🫡👍🏻