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[philsteward]

Hi all, spent yesterday afternoon draining the autobox fluid, including removing both sumps.

I changed the filter with one from JPat and this is where the questions start.

The car has done 80k miles, the previous owner said they changed the auto oil but they also said they refilled it through the power steering reservoir, is that possible?

When taking the larger sump off, the gasket is perfect and came off easily and in one piece, contrary to some peoples experiences, so could have been changed before.

The oil was not as vibrant-a-red as new, there was a small amount of build up in the magnet, but not what I would say constituted 10years worth.

The rear sump gasket however was a pita to get off, and comparitively there was a fair amount of metallic sludge in the bottom of it.

The filter was also discoloured, same colour as the oil. It was made by Filtran in Germany and had pa66+gf30% on it, I think this is original, can anyone confirm? Interestingly the new one has pa66+33% on it, assume the difference in percentage is not an issue?

My thoughts are that he dropped the rear sump and didn't change the filter, doesn't matter now, but would like to know.

Final thing...anyone know how to tell if the car is level? My drive is on a slight downhill, but I have the car pointing down  it on ramps, so think it may be nearly level. So wondering where the best place to put my spirit level to see if it is. Realise this is a bit OTT, but with all the different angles my sight could be way off.

Sorry for the ramble, and thanks in advance for the help!

[feeutfo]

If the filter itself is in good condition, which they usually are, then just washing it out with carb or brake cleaner(?) is fine. It's only there to catch larger particles like bits of thrust washer.

Some sludge is normal.

Sometimes the gasket does stay intact. It's not a sign of previous work.

But it's not possible to fill via the pas reservoir. Wtf?

[feeutfo]

Also pas is dex 2. ATF is dex 3.

[Kevin Wood]

pa66+gf30%

This is just listing the materials the filter is made of for recycling purposes, so has no effect on its' functionality.

All sounds pretty normal to me.

It's not critical that the car is absolutely level, just on reasonably level ground and not jacked up one side!

[philsteward]

If the filter itself is in good condition, which they usually are, then just washing it out with carb or brake cleaner(?) is fine. It's only there to catch larger particles like bits of thrust washer.

Thought that, but got the filter from JPat for only £10, so might as well change it.

Thanks for the other comments as well.  Off to try and fill it up now!

[feeutfo]

Your aware of the procedure?

[philsteward]

Had a search on the forum and found a couple of different methods, would you be able to write or direct me to the best method?

[feeutfo]

Fill via level hole on rear of drivers side of sump with engine off, until fluid poors from the hole indicating it's full to the hole.

Then start the car and select all gears allowing the box to suck up what ever fluid it needs. Then with engine running fill until oil flows out agin indicating it's full. Do up the filler plug. Then turn off engine.

Go for a spin having engaged all gears including reverse and to be belt and braces, check the level again.

There is also a guide on checking the level which helps, but it assumes a level check, not a complete refill from empty sumps.(note not all fluid is removed by dropping sumps, some is still in the torque converter)

Checking the level in the final stage should always be done engine running. Otherwise it will appear over full leading to the false assumption that it needs emtying, leading to a low level when driving.

[philsteward]

Thanks for that, just what I had planned to do, waiting until the rain disappears and then I shall be on it.

Any links to these gardening sprayer type things some people have suggested using?  I have a 500cc suction pump, but will take a while with that, and tends to get everywhere!

[omegod]

I have yet to find a technique that doesn't get it everywhere   Orrible job that is!

[Osprey]

Thanks for that, just what I had planned to do, waiting until the rain disappears and then I shall be on it.

Any links to these gardening sprayer type things some people have suggested using?  I have a 500cc suction pump, but will take a while with that, and tends to get everywhere!

The guide suggests B&Q code 0000003643402 - Let me Google that for you (sorry - couldn't resist  )

In fact similar things are available in most DIY sheds, garden centres, Amazon etc.  You can also use a 1L ATF bottle with a spout over and over again but it is messy and tedious - but messy and tedious is what this job is all about!

Best of luck anyway 

[philsteward]

The guide suggests B&Q code 0000003643402

Amazing! 
Popped out and bought one of the above tonight, best £15.98 I have ever spent! 

Took me less than 30mins to refill, and the only ATF which ended up on the floor was that that dribbled out the sump filler! 

It is going to make light work of refilling the diffs on my Land Rover too!

Thanks again for help and suggestions, just got to get my Junior Member status now so I can get the gearbox ECU updated at the cheaper price!