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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 21:49:07

Title: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 21:49:07
Well after my filter and gaskets arrived today from Dave Kember from ABS, I took the Elite for a spin then started the ATF change.

Got the mothership jacked and standed up then got under her (I'm always wary about getting under cars!)

Level plug out, quite easily fortunately, about 500 mls or so of oil came out.

Small sump off, easier said than done! All bolts out yet sump wouldn't come off. Alot of bashing careful tapping with sister sledge and it came off! Unfortunately 3/4 of the gasket decided to stick weld itself to the gearbox which I very carefully removed with wood chisel and stanley knife blade.

Big sump the same, careful tapping and it came off, luckily gasket was attached to sump so was easier to get it off away from car!

Roll of carpet and lots of newspaper laid out but no spillage whatsoever! It was very hard trying to get the last two bolts out, support the sumps over my oil tray, and whack it with a hammer all at the same time with only two hands and not get oil everywhere!

It was getting dark and taking alot longer than expected, and my torch was on the way out so went inside to concentrate on the two sumps. I've left the car on stands overnight with the two sumps off and the oil tray underneath.

It took along time with wood chisel and knife then mild sandpaper to get rockhard gasket off both sumps. I then completely cleaned out and degreased inside of both sumps (like mirrors now). I know it's not vitally important, but I reckon if I've only got about 6 litres out the box this way, so every little helps. Plus, the oil was filthy with only a small hint of brown, nothing like the redcurrant colour the new stuff looks like! This seems to confirm my suspicions that it's never been done (2000 plate 115k miles). Fortunately there was no sign of metal or thrust washer in the sumps.

When moving gear selector through the range with sumps off to get more oil out (engine not running), there was a loud thump :-/ similar to the noise when I engage drive from park when it had rolled onto gear (when handbrake wasn;t tight) I think it was just louder as sumps off and no oil so hopefully I haven't fubarred it! Time will tell when I get to it in the morning!
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: Varche on 12 November 2010, 22:18:57
Sounds like you have made a good start.

I hope you aren't a surgeon for your day job leaving your patient in the middle of surgery like that!

Good luck tomorrow.
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: Debs. on 12 November 2010, 22:20:19
I`ve often thought it might be possible to 'displace' the remainder of the old fluid, using new fluid injected into the cooler-lines (at the radiator connections) using a garden-spray pump or via gravity (using a suitably high funnel)....I did once see a transmission shop in the `States drill a small hole in the torque-converter torus (to fully drain it) and then seal the hole using a pop-rivet w/sealant....I was assured it was 'common practice': although I did wonder about swarf/drillings from drilling the 3/32" hole.:-/
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: aaronjb on 12 November 2010, 22:25:18
Quote
I`ve often thought it might be possible to 'displace' the remainder of the old fluid, using new fluid injected into the cooler-lines (at the radiator connections) using a garden-spray pump or via gravity (using a suitably high funnel)....I did once see a transmission shop in the `States drill a small hole in the torque-converter torus (to fully drain it) and then seal the hole using a pop-rivet w/sealant....I was assured it was 'common practice': although I did wonder about swarf/drillings from drilling the 3/32" hole.:-/

There are specifically designed machines for doing just that - a good automatic transmission specialist should have one.. you just have to ask for a 'power flush'
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 22:30:49
Thanks Varche! I hold surgeons in the highest regard, they do their work when the engine is running, but I have to wait until it's all stopped then still get it wrong! Hahaha :(

Hey Debs, interesting concepts there! I thought about taking the pipes off but decided against it! I've just got a great pressure spray pump thing from BnQ with a long hose to refill the fluid so i might have a look at doing it tomorrow!
Although saying that I think another change in a few hundred miles should hopefully clean it up a bit more once it's mixed with the new fluid. It was quite filthy after all! :y
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 22:32:52
Quote
Quote
I`ve often thought it might be possible to 'displace' the remainder of the old fluid, using new fluid injected into the cooler-lines (at the radiator connections) using a garden-spray pump or via gravity (using a suitably high funnel)....I did once see a transmission shop in the `States drill a small hole in the torque-converter torus (to fully drain it) and then seal the hole using a pop-rivet w/sealant....I was assured it was 'common practice': although I did wonder about swarf/drillings from drilling the 3/32" hole.:-/

There are specifically designed machines for doing just that - a good automatic transmission specialist should have one.. you just have to ask for a 'power flush'

Not tarring everyone with the same brush of course, but I bet it'd be easier for them not to do it! I don't really habe a great deal of experience with dealers and garages, but from some of the horror stories I've heard, i don't think I will!
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: aaronjb on 12 November 2010, 22:33:19
AFAIK injecting fluid under pressure is likely to be a bad idea.. the machine I know of works by collecting the old fluid as it is pumped out by the 'box itself, and pumping fresh fluid in at the same rate & pressure as the fluid it's collecting - at least that's my understanding.
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: sassanach on 12 November 2010, 22:40:51
when i changed the atf on my sts,i disconnected a oil cooler pipe and let the gearbox pump out the old oil while i poured fresh dexron vi in via the dipstick tube :y
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 22:50:26
Quote
when i changed the atf on my sts,i disconnected a oil cooler pipe and let the gearbox pump out the old oil while i poured fresh dexron vi in via the dipstick tube :y

That sounds like a good plan sassanach!
I have a few q's for you now please if you don't mind!

Do you know which of the omegas pipes is the flow and return, and at what pressure will the fluid come out under idle?

Have you got a cadillac sts? Don't knwo much about them but is that the big american saloon? I've seen some on ebay, I like the look of them! What mpg does that give you? Or gpm? haha
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: Andy B on 12 November 2010, 22:52:15
Quote
when i changed the atf on my sts,i disconnected a oil cooler pipe and let the gearbox pump out the old oil while i poured fresh dexron vi in via the dipstick tube :y

Good idea ..... now where did I put my dipstick tube?  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 23:00:13
Quote
Quote
when i changed the atf on my sts,i disconnected a oil cooler pipe and let the gearbox pump out the old oil while i poured fresh dexron vi in via the dipstick tube :y

Good idea ..... now where did I put my dipstick tube?  ;) ;) ;)

Yeah actually there's a point, there is no dipstick on the ar35 in the mig is there?
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: sassanach on 12 November 2010, 23:02:23
disconnect both pipes and start the engine, ypu will soon know which is which.as for the lack of a dipstick, get two lengths of  hose and connect the outlet to a bucket and connect the other to a hose with a funnel and keep it topped up with atf  untill the outlet hose runs red with new fluid.(i hope that makes sense as i have had a few to many sherberts :y)
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: sassanach on 12 November 2010, 23:05:49
you will use approx 5 litres extra with this method but you will get it all :y
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 23:07:49
Quote
disconnect both pipes and start the engine, ypu will soon know which is which.as for the lack of a dipstick, get two lengths of  hose and connect the outlet to a bucket and connect the other to a hose with a funnel and keep it topped up with atf  untill the outlet hose runs red with new fluid.(i hope that makes sense as i have had a few to many sherberts :y)

yeah that makes sense thanks! I've had some aswell. They do say only a drunk understands a drunk! hahaha :y
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: Debs. on 12 November 2010, 23:09:07
Two interesting articles/info. on the 4L30-E transmission here:

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?p=103101&sid=770bfe3d1f848a04433a5126e7a1aeee

http://www.transtec.com/rebuilder_news/2nd_q95r-n.pdf

Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 23:26:05
wow thanks debs some very interesting stuff there! I've save them should the time come I find my tranny needs an overhaul as my migs are going to become classics!
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: Varche on 13 November 2010, 11:00:20
Geoff , I have made a mental note that you are someone who will cherish my Omega when/if my days of ownership come to an end. I'll let you have first refusal (you will be pleased to know it has had new fluid and a filter change). ;D ;D
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 14 November 2010, 02:37:29
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Geoff , I have made a mental note that you are someone who will cherish my Omega when/if my days of ownership come to an end. I'll let you have first refusal (you will be pleased to know it has had new fluid and a filter change). ;D ;D

thanks Varche! Although don't let your mig owning days come to an end. I read your thread about a 4x4 and the problems with your mig. Just turn it into a monster mig with big tyres and y'all be 'reet!
Title: Re: Half way through ATF change!
Post by: geoffr70 on 14 November 2010, 02:41:52
Finished the change, only got about 5.5 litres of the stuff out. Might do it again in a month to clean it up a bit more. Seems to drive alot better, although it might just be in the mind