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[Chimpchoker]

Hi folks,
Really just a post for reassurance after reading the guides. I've posted before with the problems of the gearbox in limp mode and have decided to change the atf as I believe it has never been done in the 104k miles of driving.

I've have the 2.6 V6 facelift miggy on an 02cplate so from the guides it is the AR25 auto box.

I've read the ATF change guide http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90664.0 and for once it appears to be something I am confident to do myself.
Reading which fluid I need it appears to be dexron 3 which again is ok. Reading around the web looking for the fluid I found this link http://forums.trailvoy.com/archive/index.php/t-87675.html which basically says that GM don't licence dexon 3 now only dexon VI and for a complete change dexon VI should be used.

Should I go for dexon 6 assuming I will NOT be able to get all of the old stuff out, even with a sump drop. I believe the dexon 6 is backward compatible but not 100% sure.

What throws the spanner in the works is this:


I went into a VX dealer I trust (why ??) and asked about steering pump fluid and was told it was dexon 6 for the pump.

In another more local VX dealer they quoted me £10 a ltr for dexon 3 for the gearbox atf but they also said that it was the same fluid for the steering pump.

That would back up the idea of using 6 in the box rather than 3 ( 6 is suposed to give better fuel consumption being a thinner fluid) and it would save money to boot but this more local dealer parts dept woman (which I'm not enarmoured with) told me catagorically that there was no filter for the gearbox fluid. After I assured her there was one on or in the gearbox because I'd been told on a forum there was she scoffed and went into the workshop and asked the mechanics who told her again that THERE WAS NO FILTER EITHER FOR OR IN THE GEARBOX. 

So then,
after that long winded explination should I,

Use dexron 3 or dexron 6 for the Auto box?
Use dexron 2 or dexron 6 for the steering pump?
And should i go back to the more local Dealer with filter in hand and show the parts dept and the mechx the filter ?

Oh and anyone got a good source for the correct fluids please.

Chimpy.

[dbug]

Dex 6 ok for gearbox - and yes there is a filter which you will see when you drop the sumps.  It can be cleaned and refitted.
Dex 2 for Power Steering

HTH 

[Chimpchoker]

Thanks Dbug.

This site and the people on it really make owning a miggy easier. I've always been a main dealer mug but being skint I now need to maintain my own motor as I can't bear to let her go just yet.
If i got all the jobs that need doing done at a vx main dealer it would cost £1000's, lol.

[Chimpchoker]

Anyone got a source for dexron 6 please? I've been looking but not having any luck. Found plenty of dex 2 and 3 but no 6 in a uk shop.

TIA

Chimpy

[dbug]

Anyone got a source for dexron 6 please? I've been looking but not having any luck. Found plenty of dex 2 and 3 but no 6 in a uk shop.

TIA

Chimpy

If you can't get Dex 6 for your g/box buy Dex 3 

[Entwood]

OPie oils do some reasonable deals I believe .. TB swears by them I've nevr used them personally however ..

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=47512.0

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-1432-atfs-automatic-transmission-fluid.aspx

I think its the TITAN 4000 which is Dex III ...

[Shackeng]

Just got 5 litres of Titan 4000 from Opie Oils, £30.02 delivered HTH.

[Chimpchoker]

Thank you one and all for the reassurance and advice on this topic especiallly the link to opie oils and tranny fluids. I've found this one

Fuchs TITAN ATF 6000 SL Latest synthetic ATF DEXRON VI approved but it is a bit expensive although it is suposed to be good for 250,000 km .... and the miggy deserves it...

[feeutfo]

I don't know the significance of the licensing issue of III. What does this mean exactly?
That manufacturers can now make up their own blend of III without issue? Or what?

Historically;

Use dexron 3 or dexron 6 for the Auto box?

3 is known and has always been recommended here obviously.

Use dexron 2 or dexron 6 for the steering pump?

There is a tis update that suggests stick with 2 due to leaking pas pipes with 3

And should i go back to the more local Dealer with filter in hand and show the parts dept and the mechx the filter ?

Yes! Most definately. Although the old one can be washed out with no problem and re used.



My personal feeling is stick with 3. As said, it's known. An upgrade to 6 or whatever, "may" cause an odd issue. Such as, or similar to, the leaking pas pipes mentioned in tis. However it may also offer improvements in performance. Not sure anyone has mentioned using 6 on here, so if you use 6 do let us know how it goes.
 Then again, if a dealer is asked, they will only ever recomend the latest GM product, they have to, and not just because that's what they they have available. Any Dexron is very expensive from dealers anyway. As I think you've seen, dealers do not have the customers best interest at heart. You won't be the first to rub a dealers nose in the wrong advice they've given. (andyc aside of course)

[Chimpchoker]

Thanks chrisgixer,

My PAS had started to leak after a service when the main dealer put dex 6 in. I know because I asked what the fluid was so I could top it up at home. Funny enough a few months later they said the PAS was leaking and I needed a new PAS pump and because there was a GM upgrade the new pump would cost £850 fitted ( because it needed new pipes fitted) The old one is still on and the "urgent repair" was 19 months ago now !!

I went to the main dealer again today to re check the prices and got a different parts lad who give him his due was really on the ball with his efforts.

Anyway the up to date price for the rear gasket is £16.26 inc vat, the front gasket is £9.18 Inc vat and the filter ( wait for it) .... £82.80 BUT THAT DOES INCLUDE VAT!!
Dex 6 is £8.46 a ltr and they recomend 3 litres for a full gearbox (oil) replacement. He looked blank when I said it was not an oil in the gearbox but a fluid, bless him.

I've had a quote of opi oils so will probably go with them even though they are more expensive but it's not a main dealer....

[RobG]

Thanks chrisgixer,

My PAS had started to leak after a service when the main dealer put dex 6 in. I know because I asked what the fluid was so I could top it up at home. Funny enough a few months later they said the PAS was leaking and I needed a new PAS pump and because there was a GM upgrade the new pump would cost £850 fitted ( because it needed new pipes fitted) The old one is still on and the "urgent repair" was 19 months ago now !!

I went to the main dealer again today to re check the prices and got a different parts lad who give him his due was really on the ball with his efforts.

Anyway the up to date price for the rear gasket is £16.26 inc vat, the front gasket is £9.18 Inc vat and the filter ( wait for it) .... £82.80 BUT THAT DOES INCLUDE VAT!!
Dex 6 is £8.46 a ltr and they recomend 3 litres for a full gearbox (oil) replacement. He looked blank when I said it was not an oil in the gearbox but a fluid, bless him.

I've had a quote of opi oils so will probably go with them even though they are more expensive but it's not a main dealer....

With both sumps off you`ll get about 4.5 Ltrs out

[Andy B]

....
 He looked blank when I said it was not an oil in the gearbox but a fluid, bless him.
 .....

ATF is still an oil though, as is brake fluid.

[Webby the Bear]

i have a question 

is there concrete proof of ATF fluid change being effective? my cars on 95k and hasn't been done yet.... partly cos i havent got access to the ramps yet (hate axel stands) and partly cos all i keep reading about is how the ATF change breaks the gearbox.

is it reasonable to not change my fluid for the lifetime of the car UNLESS i get box shifting issues?

[feeutfo]

i have a question 

is there concrete proof of ATF fluid change being effective? my cars on 95k and hasn't been done yet.... partly cos i havent got access to the ramps yet (hate axel stands) and partly cos all i keep reading about is how the ATF change breaks the gearbox.

is it reasonable to not change my fluid for the lifetime of the car UNLESS i get box shifting issues?

the forum recommends ATF changes every 40 to 60k, according to Mark J's guide. Personally I follow 60k changes.

The proof? Thumping when engaging drive, and banging changes on my old 2.5. Change ATF, all fixed.



Also, I'm sure it took more than 5 litres to do all the box services I've done on mine. 3 I think.

[Webby the Bear]

fair play chris. like to hear where it did work... then again i suppose you wouldnt post a vid on youtube where it ''just went well''