Gearbox fluid change

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by 47p2

See the picture I posted earlier today, the 17mm hex is a drain plug, but as been said earlier doesn't allow all the fluid to drain out

Sorry, I misread the Bentley Publishers manual.
The other (bigger) hole is for checking, topping up (and refilling)

What it does say in there is that draining it that way will only need about 3.5L to refill again, whereas a complete system from dry holds about 9L.

But I'm sure I read somewhere about syphoning out...

[47p2]

Thanks for that HPsauce,

I still have to remove the sump pan to change the filter and clean the magnets, so it really won't make any difference whether it is drained or syphoned, it has to come out


I might try syphoning it out, I have a oil vacuum syphon and that would allow all the oil in the sump to be removed...that is as long as there are no blanking plated behind the filler plug. When you use the drain plug to empty the sump there is always 500ml-1000ml left in the sump pan, then when you remove the pan you cop a load of ATF over yourself, so if syphoning it out prevents this I will certainly give it a go.

There is no way I will remove 9 litres, the TC holds quite a lot, but I will measure it and let you know my findings. I'm guessing from previous vehicles I've done it will be around 6 litres.

[47p2]

Originally Posted by sarg

The wrong process killed my gearbox (well, finished it off at least) on my D2, thanks Vasstech

Tried re-flushing myself after it went wrong, and used almost 20 (TWENTY) litres flushing until I had got ALL the old crap out.

What I aim for is preventative maintenance. A lot of owners believe the box is sealed for life, Audi, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz all told us this a few years ago, but now they have changed their minds and have now put ATF changes back on the service list. So Joe Blogs reads his manual and it says sealed for life and never has anything done to it, then a few years later it starts playing up, not selecting gears or missing gears and the first thing he does is change the fluid, but as we all know by now, the damage has been done and the chances of a fluid change going to cure the problem is nil.

There are lots of horror stories on the net about changing ATF as if it was some sort of black art that only experienced auto-box specialists can do. A load of bollocks, there is nothing difficult at all about the procedure so long as you take care and make sure you use the correct ATF fluid to refill again. I have done ATF changes with 4 Mercedes cars that I have owned and two Range Rovers that I have owned and I can assure you there is no secret, nothing complicated and certainly not beyond the scope of the average spanner man

[HPsauce]

The Bentley manual has a section about the TC, illustrating a big machine that you use - with it out of the vehicle.... Scary stuff!
But it does say to replace BOTH the drain plug and sealing ring.

Nothing I'm ever going to go near though.

And I'm sure there was a thread recently about someone using a big slurpy machine on the gearbox.

I've only been looking this up as I'm thinking of getting my ATF changed - by a professional, not me!

[47p2]

Just had another look at the crossmember and it does need to be removed before dropping the gearbox sump. 4x16mm bolts hold it in place.

[ainarssems]

Originally Posted by 47p2

Could someone who has Elsawin please have a look for me and check if the crossmemeber has to be removed?

See files attached

[47p2]

Thanks for the info ainarssems, that was perfect

As suspected the job was the same as every other auto box I have done, one slight snag was a sump bolt that I thought I wouldn't get out but I won in the end.

I drained the sump via the 17mm drain plug and that took 3.5 litres out, I then refilled it and started the engine up to mix the old and new, drained again and repeated, then removed the sump, changed the filter and rebuilt and refilled. I have went through 11 litres of ATF and as I only bought 12 I can't do another flush. The engine will be due a service in a few months, I will give the gearbox another flush then.

Don't be put off by all you hear about DIY ATF changes, there is lots on the internet about the procedure and it's basic stuff to do.
I did start by taking a few pictures, but once the sump bolt started giving me problems I soon forgot about the camera and got on with the job.

If anyone wants any advice or guidance on this subject just ask

[ainarssems]

Biggest problem for DIY'ers is no lift so its' hard to get it elevated to work under it and level at the same time.

[47p2]

That's true but plenty of folk have access to a pit or even ramps and axle stands

[Diablo]

Excellent thread! How much fluid did you use in total to flush the box and refill it?

Thanks.