GM 6L80 Transmission Fluid & Filter Change - Service Guide!

[@Gwiz822]

Bro hands down the best video of this job

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks bro! We appreciate it. Thanks for watching! 😊

[@BlaineKK37]

Great tutorial and I gotta say great editing, the notes for part number, bolt size, etc make a world of difference, thank you

[@BrothersandGuns]

Best video i seen. Definitely gave me the confidence to do change my transmission fluid.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thank you so much! I was nervous about doing this project because I saw a lot of people saying you had to move the exhaust away to clear the pan off. But this video shows you can get it off without touching it. If you have any questions, just let us know! Thanks for watching brother! 👍

[@ryanstutzman5876]

Man I watched this video 10+ times, followed step by step and my pan will not come down. Tried absolutely everything.

[@kfranklin308]

How did you end up getting it off? About to try mine soon.

[@Middleageddad1]

I found a video of a guy using a ratchet strap and 2x4. It was the only way I could get my pan down.

[@KevinPDunn]

@@Middleageddad1how does that method work?

[@peterealey4004]

I saw a guy remove the shift cable bracket and it came right out

[@shawndutton3218]

Same, there just isn't enough clearance on mine. Maybe some have different clearances based on certain options. No way is mine coming down.

[@TheRealBiggerAl]

Wish my 2009 pan would come off that easy. Takes pry bars, dropping the filter while pan is still under the transmission, but loose, plus a sequence of twists, turns and holding my breath just right.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Ahhh ok, is that for the 4L60E transmissions? Heard they're even more of a pain taking them off than the 6L80's. You would think GM would have made it easier to get the transmission pans off but here we are lol.

[@TheRealBiggerAl]

@@TrickShiftGarage no, I have the 2009 version of the 6L80

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Hmmm interesting, thank you for watching and commenting! 😊

[@FADEDElement]

I am just gonna say this was an amazingly helpful video, but you make it look so much easier lol

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Awesome, glad it was helpful 🙂

[@appleserverz197]

If the pan won’t come out make sure you fully separate the gasket from the pan and get something to pry the exhaust down it makes it easier I used a floor jack and a crow bar

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks for the tip! 👍

[@carlosmad2357]

I just did this to my 2015 Tahoe. Your video was very informative and helpful. I had a hard time pulling out the pan and putting it back on but I used a prybar and a floor jack to lower the exhaust just a little. Would you know how often this procedure should be done? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Glad you found the video helpful! It seems to be a mixed bag on whether the exhaust needs to move or not in order to get the pan off. If you use your vehicle for a lot of towing or hauling you should replace it every 30-45k miles. If you use it for daily driving activities, 60k miles is a good point. Hope this helps, thanks for watching! 🙂

[@carlosmad2357]

Thanks again. Keep up the great work! 👍🏽

[@danpark629]

Very clear instructions. Thank you. I feel comfortable doing this at my house

[@TrickShiftGarage]

You're welcome! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Good luck and thanks for watching! 🙂

[@chrispowers5027]

Try this again, what was the milage on your truck when you did this fluid and filter change? and also where you having any problems with this 6L80 trans like a lot of them do?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Responded in your other comment, it had about 92-93k miles, was having no issues with it. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@TheJcrandazzo]

Why cant you use the old filter to start the filter seal then tap on the filter until it seats. There is a stop on the filter tube I believe

[@ryannickell5811]

You guys can also deflate a footbal and squeeze it into tight spots ans then use an are compressor to air the ball up and it will create space.

[@zackb5770]

Damn, that’s a smart idea!

[@dylanreynolds4334]

I started to change all this today. My 2010 Suburban has a plastic tab on the back right(if you are in the driver seat looking forward) that protrudes into the pan. There is no physical way to remove the pan because of the plastic. Which has presented an issue for getting the gasket back in.

[@ericgrider4]

To remove pan- remove cooler lines at thermostat block. Push up on cooler line bracket. Rotate clockwise as you ease it out.

[@leonardohernandez6464]

How many miles did your truck have any issue after the service thank you for your time

[@TrickShiftGarage]

I think it was around 93k miles. I haven't had any issues since this service. Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍

[@joemamaluc312]

It holds 12.5 quarts including the converter. You should change that fluid too, you left 4.5 quarts of old oil in the trans.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yeah, you're right. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@Jason-ht6ze]

How do you get those 4.5 left in out ?

[@joebecker1955]

​@@Jason-ht6ze what i was wondering too

[@WolfManJammer]

I don’t know what different with mine but the pan is getting hung up and needs more clearance. It’s absolutely frustrating. It looked like you had plenty of room. Does the gear that it’s in matter? I’m rather stuck now…

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Sorry to hear that! There's three possible workarounds. 1. You can loosen the exhaust bolts (not remove) from the manifolds. 2. Remove the transmission mount bolts in the back of the transmission and pry on it. 3. Use a ratchet strap thats anchored by a floor jack. Raise the floor jack so it is up against the truck chassis rail, that should hold it steady enough to take the ratchet strap around the exhaust and give enough clearance. Here's a video demonstrating this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXLSn2x8gZ6olZIsi=Y4TZwft5GKlMimVn Hope this helps! You got this! 🙂👍

[@quadrider058]

What was the clear tube in your transfer pump? I tried to use one in my 2013 tahoe but it seems like the larger diameter hose wouldn't reach the bottom of the pan. Great video btw.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks! I had some clear vinyl tubing laying around the shop, it's a 1/4 inch OD (Outer Diameter) tubing, you can get them pretty cheaply at your local hardware store or check out our Amazon link here: amzn.to/3ucWj1W Hope this helps thanks for watching! 👍

[@quadrider058]

Thanks. I saw the link for it in the description. I just hope my pan comes off as easy as yours did. It's a 2013 tahoe.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Sweet! You should be able to squeeze it out! Take off the heat shield and that should give room to slide it over towards the passenger side a few inches, then kinda rotate the pan toward the driver side and it should free itself. You'd think GM would make this easier for mechanics and diy'ers like us but alas we are here lol. Good luck, let us know how it goes! 😊

[@quadrider058]

Will do thanks a lot!

[@kats9169]

Our transmission (2016 Sierra) is stamped “AI-380”, is this the same as the 6L80?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Not sure what "AI-380" means but you can easily find out by looking at the RPO codes in the glove box. If you have "MYC" on your list than you have the 6L80 transmission. Hope the helps thanks for watching! 🙂

[@khoanguyen-gj6fn]

Does anybody know the part number for the filter seal?

[@miguelc4435]

I have a 2017 ram 1500 with 140kmiles in it. Is it too late to change the transmission oil?

[@Jason-ht6ze]

Is this same procedure for my 2018 tahoe 5.3 awd ?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yes, as long as it has the 6-speed 6L80 transmission. If you have the 8-speed 8L90 transmission, it could be used as a more general guide in taking the pan off and draining it out. The filter and gasket part numbers will most likely be different though. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@ericgrider4]

Check for loose bolts on valve block

[@lollmfaoff]

Great video

[@bloodstorm1231]

Did a pan drop and filter change. I also installed the superior solutions bypass. Added 6 quarts. Can't get the trans that hot. I drove around for about 30 mins, checked at 145f and the fluid isn't even in the cold hash marks. Safe to say i need to add more, right?

[@goddesseddog]

why did you not check it cold before driving?

[@ironfitboxing5304]

Ummm…my pan doesn’t just slide out that easy! 😢

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Dang! Sorry to hear that, I know other guys have said similar things as they had to use a crow bar or ratchet straps to pull the exhaust away to just get enough clearance on it, which really sucks. Hang in there though, it will come out eventually with enough ingenuity. Thanks for watching! Good luck! 🙂

[@Gear_Banger]

Same here. Had to use a 2x4 and ratchet strap on mine. I could get it almost out but the corner of the pan was catching on the transmission and wouldn’t come out 🤷‍♂️

[@TrickShiftGarage]

That's odd how it works for some and not for others... GM definitely should have given more wiggle room down there!

[@davidludwig4286]

Service manual actually states to remove the cat converter

[@thatoneguy86420]

Same as these other guys. Currently trying to drop this pan and ive tried everything, short of undoing the exhaust, to drop this pan. My chevy is a 2010 and I noticed yours is the gen after mine so it must be specific to your generation of 1500's.

[@WillMast-wf9tp]

What about the old fluid in the converter ?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

It's still in there. This video is just a pan drop and not a flush. To flush it out you'll have to disconnect the transmission cooler line and start it up so it drains until empty, then fill it up completely. Not sure the total number of quarts but always put in what came out. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@FinallyOnRecords]

My 07 Tahoe had 95K on it when I got it now it’s at 218K…. I myself haven’t touched the tranny besides adding fluid should I do this at my mileage ?

[@bryanlammers384]

absolutely. a flush should be done every 100k or so with modern fluids. if you dont want to, i would add Lucas Trans fix to your fluid. you can drop the whole thing in your system without draining anything out.

[@intheshoptv]

How crucial is replacing that little filter seal?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

It's pretty important so it keeps the filter on snug and tight. I suppose you could leave the old one if your in a pinch, but I recommend changing it out every time you change the filter out. Thanks for watching 👍

[@intheshoptv]

@@TrickShiftGarage The fluid change procedure requires the vehicle to be running to cycle through the gears. In my case, my vehicle is a build and will not be driving for at least another year. Today however, I have to drop the pan to remove the techm for programming. I was going to replace the filter and fluid obviously but if I cant run the car for a while, is it ok to just replace whatever fluid I lost and leave it at that? Also, I changed the torque converter… I hear that most of the total fluid is contained in the pan and converter. How much is retained in the case and how will I ever know how much to add?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Ahhh ok. I ended up losing 8 quarts because I let my truck sit for a few days. I think some fluid drained from the torque converter. Usually, it's 6 quarts if your doing it all in one go. As long as you check the fluid level and it's in the cross hatched range you should be fine. Good luck on your build! 👍

[@robertpaul3675]

Yeah pan is hard to get off the older 6l80s i use a ratchet strap around the crossmember and the exhaust on older one to pull it down enough they are worse than the 4l60es.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yeah, I heard the 4L60s got it baaaad lol. It's a real head scratcher how/why GM overlooked this little detail while designing the exhaust piping so close to the transmission. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@Gear_Banger]

My old 4l60 wasn’t bad at all. But that 6l80 though 👀

[@Hippiemechanic]

If you have a problem with the pan and are 4wd undo the two 15 nuts jack up the trans a bit and ratchet strap the pipe to the cross member pulling it down some. it'll come right out

[@2lefteyes]

Have a '13 4wd. Thats EXACTLY what I had to do.😢

[@byronperez3678]

Do the 6l80 take full synthetic or regular ? I have a 2015 gmc sierra, 1500, 5.3 4wd

[@byronperez3678]

There's 2 types of the ac delco fluid. Mercon vi regular and mercon vi synthetic

[@dylanwallace5571]

We’re is the filter, is it not like an oil filter?

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Hello, the filter is inside the transmission, so you have to remove the pan to have access to change it out. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@elayhohnson2536]

11-3-24. Why in the hell doesn't the OEM install a drain plug ??.

[@LynnHarris18]

While the pan is off, couldn't you install a drain plug in the pan? I've seen new drain plugs for sale at the local auto store.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Yes, you could install a new drain plug while it's off. Thanks for watching 😊

[@HowtowithPaulHenderson]

What your truck is this.

[@Nekroman111]

Has anyone experienced rust or debris coming out when checking this 6L80 transmission fluid? I have a 2015 Tahoe. Fluid looks good reddish in color still. I did the thermal bypass by Shift and immediately after i finished i took it for a drive ro check it wasnt leaking and see how much fluid i needed to top off. After i drove it and checked the fluid i noticed chunks of rust or some red or maroon colored thin chips or debris. I tried putting a magnet but didnt seem to stick. It almost looked like paint chippings but now im worried. It drives and shifts smoothly i did this out of preventative measure not from overheating.

[@JUDGERAMBO]

Dipstick tube rusted

[@Nekroman111]

@@JUDGERAMBO thanks for the reply brother. It drives fine so i got a bit scared. Glad i wasnt the only one that saw that!

[@michaelkreger2053]

I had to pull exhaust, which included an o2 sensor on passenger side to make clearance. Changed filter and tacked it back together. Added 6qt and went for a spin. It shifted like shit, eratic, an rpm jump between 2nd and 3rd. Came and checked the stick, way low. Added 2qt and now it shifts normal. I think all the resources saying 6qt is bs, the 6l80 takes 8qts!

[@HowtowithPaulHenderson]

Yeah I was hoping to replace my transmission pan with a new aftermarket one that has cooling fins but when I read the instructions it says I had to undo the exhaust I think I might take it to a trans shop. Where can you tell me how easy was it to do I'm pretty good with vehicles though

[@Daniel-nw5vv]

Tons of old fluid still in the torque converter ruining the new fluid.

[@BK-yb3qd]

Wow! This Chevy has a dipstick. My 2015 Chevy doesn't have one and the cap is hidden underneath.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment!

[@JovaniVega-it4sv]

Should the insurance gray color that is in the corner go down or up?

[@lawnbuddyandlandscapellc8765]

I don't have a dipstick tube

[@HowtowithPaulHenderson]

I bought one for American trucks and I'm going to be doing a installation view on my channel for it, but I really want to replace the trans gasket with an aftermarket one but it seems like such a pain in the ass.

[@lollmfaoff]

U lucky u got a dip stick I don’t

[@CurtisHarshey]

I 'm sure those expensive bolts are going to make your truck perform better. I would NOT use brake cleaner, it is chlorinated and can damage internal parts, If nothing else use carb cleaner.

[@TrickShiftGarage]

Thanks for the tip! 🙂

[@lsxtmt4910]

Non chlorinated brake clean bud

[@cesarzatarain5032]

Uh? Yep