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[HNO3GOH]

It looks like i have sold my 95 3.0 V6 elite auto (will know later) and with a bit of luck we should have a new member. When the chap phoned about the car he ask when the gear box last had an oil change. I was under the impression that it never needs changing.
Am i wrong  

[HolyCount]

I, too, thought it was a "sealed" unit --- VX seem to think it will never need looking at as, according to threads on here, they made it damn near impossible to do.

However, because VX don't think it needs doing doesn't mean that it shouldn't be done. But for mere mortals it's, as far as I can tell,  a "leave it alone" thing.

[albitz]

i believe that vauxhall dont specify any oil changes.might be worth doing if hes going to try to use it as a bargaining point .only takes an hour.

[HNO3GOH]

Thanks for your help i will let him know. I dont think he will use it as a bargaining point as he knows what the car has had spent on it and we have pretty much agreed a price over the phone.

[feeutfo]

i asked vx once, they did not know. Dk(ex omega specialists) motors mech said 80k. Easier on a ramp.

[VXL V6]

Did mine at 60K, it does make a difference as the gearbox is much smoother.

[cbowditch]

My Vx service manual that came with the car has a section for Autobox fluid replacement. This indicates the fluid should be changed every 60K or 6 years whichever comes first.

[Derek_in_Penzance]

Auto gearboxes definitely need a change of fluid every so often, I would not like to say how often, but if the fluid is brown, it needs changing. It should be a nice red translucent colour. I'm not an expert on auto boxes but I know that the AR25/ AR35 gearbox is a development of the old GM 3-speed unit from the 70s and early 80s -and that definitely needed fluid changes. The AR35 is essentially the old 3-spd unit with an extra gear tacked on at the front (hence the two sumps) , and electronic control of the valves.

I don't know why the Omega doesn't have a filler tube. More cost cutting from GM? Or maybe they felt that with the refined electronic gear changing, the clutches would not wear so much, so the fluid would not become contaminated with burnt clutch lining, and that it would last the lifetime of the car (with lifetime being defined as the first couple of owners perhaps, rather than the extended lease of life they get when bought at knock-down prices by enthusiasts).

[HolyCount]

Auto gearboxes definitely need a change of fluid every so often, I would not like to say how often, but if the fluid is brown, it needs changing. It should be a nice red translucent colour. I'm not an expert on auto boxes but I know that the AR25/ AR35 gearbox is a development of the old GM 3-speed unit from the 70s and early 80s -and that definitely needed fluid changes. The AR35 is essentially the old 3-spd unit with an extra gear tacked on at the front (hence the two sumps) , and electronic control of the valves.

I don't know why the Omega doesn't have a filler tube. More cost cutting from GM? Or maybe they felt that with the refined electronic gear changing, the clutches would not wear so much, so the fluid would not become contaminated with burnt clutch lining, and that it would last the lifetime of the car (with lifetime being defined as the first couple of owners perhaps, rather than the extended lease of life they get when bought at knock-down prices by enthusiasts).

That's a good point -- we do tend to keep these cars going strong beyond their designed life span ........

[Jimbob]

A Gearbox oil change does make a big difference (if it needs doing)

Not a hard job, just a bit messy.

[ians]

A Gearbox oil change does make a big difference (if it needs doing)

Not a hard job, just a bit messy.

I agree - nothing inherently difficult.   Buy some good shampoo for afterwards though

If the car is high mileage or especially if its been used for heavy loads, towing etc I would say its well worth doing.

[sjc]

I found the biggest pain changing the fluid on mine was that the gaskets had super-glued themselves to the box and the sump and it took ages to chip it all off - and I do mean CHIP it all off.

Apart from that, changing the filter is a doddle, re-assembly was a doddle and if you refill using a funnel and hose from the engine bay then that bit's a doddle too.

The fluid in mine had done 75k and was'nt too dirty so I didn't notice much, if any, improvement but I do have peace of mind that I'll probably never have to do it again!!

[Jimbob]

I found the biggest pain changing the fluid on mine was that the gaskets had super-glued themselves to the box and the sump and it took ages to chip it all off - and I do mean CHIP it all off.

Apart from that, changing the filter is a doddle, re-assembly was a doddle and if you refill using a funnel and hose from the engine bay then that bit's a doddle too.

The fluid in mine had done 75k and was'nt too dirty so I didn't notice much, if any, improvement but I do have peace of mind that I'll probably never have to do it again!!

I'll second that!

In fact if I did it again, would remove the small sump, and remove that gasket, then the large one, reckon that would have halved the atf shower!

[rennes]

As I'm gonna do the oilchange soon I have a question. How much of old oil is it possible to get out of the box by just removing sumps? I'm sure a whole lot remains in box? Is there any trick to get most out? Without removing the box of course?

[TheBoy]

About 1/2 remains in TC, box, and rad.