How To Clean Torque Converter Out Of Vehicle [5 Easy Steps]

A dirty torque converter can make you suffer a lot. If you are troubled by this very issue, then don’t worry. We are here to help you. In this article, you will get to know how to clean torque converter out of vehicle in 5 easy steps.

Following our simple method will enable you to flush the torque converter like a pro and thus enhance the torque performance. But first, let’s see what a dirty torque converter can do to your car.

5 Reasons To Clean Torque Converter Out Of Vehicle

A torque converter is the part of your car that transfers engine power to the transmission. So, you can understand just how important the torque converter is. A dirty torque converter can lead to the following problems:

1. Slip Out Of Gear

A dirty torque converter does not function properly. It tends to slip out of gear very often. It means there will be a delay in acceleration. This can result in unexpected acceleration and cause accidents.

2. Overheating

A dirty torque converter can get very hot pretty quickly. Such high heat is really bad for a torque converter. Overheating damages the internal components of an engine. It also makes the engine-less fuel-efficient. 

3. Contaminate The Fluid

A dirty torque converter will make the transmission fluid dirty. The transmission fluid will be full of grime, debris, and whatnot. Contaminated fuel and transmission fluid badly affect the components of the torque converter. It damages the stator’s bearing and the turbine’s fins.

4. Inconsistent Mobility

A dirty torque converter cannot transfer power to transmission properly. Dirt and debris prevent the smooth flow of power from the engine to the transmission. This affects the engine’s overall performance. The car engine will stop or get slow now and then if there is dirt clogging at any part of the vehicle. 

5. Unusual Noises

As a dirty torque converter prevents the smooth flow of power, it negatively affects the engine performance. It can damage the internal component of the engine. Such condition results in the emission of noises. There can be rattling or shuddering sounds coming from the engine.

Not only is this irritating, these sounds indicate severe problems with the torque converter as well. These are the prominent risks a dirty torque converter holds. You agree that these problems are quite severe. So follow our instructions and keep the torque converter of your vehicle clean.

How To Clean Torque Converter Out Of Vehicle-5 Simple Steps

Cleaning the torque converter is not difficult. You can easily do it with a torque converter flush machine. Or you can get the job done by a professional. But these are expensive options.

If you want to save hundreds of dollars of your pocket cleaning by yourself, read the article till the end. Here we have covered how to flush a transmission without a machine. But, before jumping into the main process, you have to prepare the torque converter for cleaning. 

5 Steps To Prepare The Torque Converter

1. First, you have to gather around a few tools that you will need. Here is a small list of those instruments: 

  • Small socket set
  • Socket wrench
  • Screwdriver
  • Funnel
  • Bucket

2. Park your vehicle properly on a level surface. Then engage the parking brake. You have to wait for 30 minutes to allow the transmission to cool down. Open the front hood to help the engine cool down faster.

3. Make sure you have enough transmission fluid stored to fill the torque converter. You will have to fill the transmission with the new fluid immediately after flushing the old batch. 

4. Place a pan or a bucket right under the transmission cooling line. This will collect the old fluid.

5. Finally, disconnect the transmission cooling line and direct the fluid flow into the pan or bucket. You have to make sure that all the fluid is out of the transmission. And now the torque converter is ready to be cleaned. 

Here are 5 simple steps that show you how to flush a torque converter like an expert:

Step 1: Start The Vehicle

Once your car’s torque converter is ready to be cleaned, start the car. Take the transmission gear in the “Neutral” position. This will expel fluid from the transmission cooling line. Keep the car engine on till the fluid is not draining anymore.

Step 2: Pouring In New Fluid

Take a clean funnel and place it at the mouth of the transmission dipstick tube. Then pour in transmission fluid slowly.

Step 3: Processing The New Fluid

Move the transmission through each gear until three-quarters of the transmission’s total fluid capacity has been replaced. Take someone’s help to continue filling the transmission while you change the gear. After completing one cycle of moving through all the gears, move the transmission back to the “Neutral” position.

Step 4: Stop The Engine

Once you have completely drained the old transmission fluid, turn the engine off immediately. If you have followed the previous step, your transmission fluid has now been perfectly replaced.

Step 5: Wrapping Up

You are almost done. For the final step, you have to reconnect the transmission cooling line and then restart the engine. But before doing this, use a dipstick to ensure that there is enough fluid in the transmission.

This is how to flush a torque converter in the simplest way. You won’t find a cheaper or simpler method of flushing a torque converter other than this one.

How do You Check a Torque Converter?

Follow this process to easily test a torque converter,

  1. Turn on the ignition key to start the engine
  2. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes till the engine warms up
  3. Gently press the accelerator twice 
  4. Rev up the engine
  5. Wait for the engine to return to its idle state
  6. Press the brake pedal and shift into drive

Now, observe the engine. If you notice any clicking, whirring, or lurching noise, then you can conclude that the torque converter has gone bad.

FAQ:

What happens if water gets in torque converter?

Even if a small amount of water gets into the torque converter, it will dramatically change the nature of the transmission fluid. Chances are that your car engine won’t work at all.

Can a torque converter be serviced?

Yes, the torque converter can be repaired. However, it is recommended that you do the servicing by yourself. Most of the torque converter servicing process is easy. On the other hand, servicing torque converters by professionals can cost you anything between $500 to $1,000.

Can you replace torque converter without removing transmission?

Yes, you can replace the torque converter without even removing the transmission. In addition, you can redesign or rebuild the whole transmission without removing it at all. 

What are the signs of a torque converter going bad?

Here are the most apparent signs that your torque converter is going bad,
1. Converter slipping out of gear
2. Overheating engine
3. Shuddering or unusual noises
4. Increased stall speed

Can you drive with a bad torque converter?

No, you won’t be able to drive smoothly with a bad torque converter. If your car has a bad torque converter, it will face many problems such as overheating of the engine, shuddering, and delay in acceleration. These issues will not allow you to drive properly.

Final Verdict

Knowing how to clean torque converter out of a vehicle can save your car from being damaged. So, regularly flush your torque converter to keep your car engine performance smooth.

If you have any confusion or query regarding our method, then leave a comment below. We would be glad to help you out.

About John M

John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. He loves to lead a free life, so he left his job & started blogging. Now, he does research on every automotive problem, part & product and seeks a better solution & best products & shares his findings with his readers to help them as well as to minimize their struggle.

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