blotto_otto
19-09-2005, 02:20 PM
This how to is courtesy of vectrolosys (though i would put it in the right place!!)
Hello,
Seeing as there are some auto trans questions popping up, I thought I'd do my write up for changing the fluid. Add any additions you feel relevant.
This information covers the earlier 4 speed box, 5 speed procedure may be similar.
Vauxhall in all their wisdom, decided not to fit a drain plug or dipstick to the transmission. This makes changing and checking the fluid a bit of a difficult process. However, as I found the other weekend, it isn't as hard as it first seems. You'll need the following items.
1 large gearbox sump gasket
1 small sump gasket (there are two)
1 O ring for sump bolt
A large selection of rags and newspaper
Some axle stands, or ramps ideally
7 litres of Dextron 3 transmission fluid
A tin of Wynns auto transmission stop leak (optional)
Make sure that some of the dex is supplied to you in a 1 litre bottle with tube on the end, you'll be needing this .
Get the car raised up, and undo the fill plug. Let the old fluid drain into the bowl you have placed underneath. APPLY THE HANDBRAKE AND CHOCK THE REAR WHEELS
Remove all the bolts around the edge of the large sump, put them in a safe place. There are around 16 of them to remove.
Place a trolley jack and block of wood under the sump, and support it. Get a block of wood and place this between the hammer and sump, give a couple of short taps with the hammer, on the wood, to shift the sump. Lower the jack carefully. The sump will be full of oil, so watch for this. I got it all over the drive when I did it, so be careful. Dispose of the oil in the bowl, and remove the sump.
Now remove the small sump and bring both out. Clean both sumps thoroughly, and remove any gasket material from the face of the sump flange. I used a paint scraper and some white spirit to get a nice clean surface, repeat this procedure on the box itself. Be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
I left the bowl under the box for an hour, and cleaned the sumps completely.
Get your large gasket and match it up to the large sump. Get under the car and offer the sump up to the box. Whilst holding the sump, place a bolt in each of the four corners, finger tighten for now. Place in the other 12, all finger tight. Ratchet tighten in a corner opposite corner, opposite end corner corner fashion, or a criss cross fashion.
Check each bolt is done up to haynes torque figures.
Get your 1 litre bottle and squeeze fluid into the box.
Refill the bottle and repeat till fluid comes out the fill hole. Place the plug back in and start the engine.
Beware of one of the cats, that'll be above your head.
Remove the plug, worry not, no fluid will be ejected under high pressure, as it'll all be slurping around the box, under high pressure. Continue filling again until fluid can be seen escaping.
Place in the fill bolt. Get the car off the ramps, and select all gear ratios. Take it for a spin, and on your return, check the fluid levels once more.
And that's all you need to do. Dispose of the old fluid safely, via your local recycling scheme, or used oil bank.
HTH
James.
Hello,
Seeing as there are some auto trans questions popping up, I thought I'd do my write up for changing the fluid. Add any additions you feel relevant.
This information covers the earlier 4 speed box, 5 speed procedure may be similar.
Vauxhall in all their wisdom, decided not to fit a drain plug or dipstick to the transmission. This makes changing and checking the fluid a bit of a difficult process. However, as I found the other weekend, it isn't as hard as it first seems. You'll need the following items.
1 large gearbox sump gasket
1 small sump gasket (there are two)
1 O ring for sump bolt
A large selection of rags and newspaper
Some axle stands, or ramps ideally
7 litres of Dextron 3 transmission fluid
A tin of Wynns auto transmission stop leak (optional)
Make sure that some of the dex is supplied to you in a 1 litre bottle with tube on the end, you'll be needing this .
Get the car raised up, and undo the fill plug. Let the old fluid drain into the bowl you have placed underneath. APPLY THE HANDBRAKE AND CHOCK THE REAR WHEELS
Remove all the bolts around the edge of the large sump, put them in a safe place. There are around 16 of them to remove.
Place a trolley jack and block of wood under the sump, and support it. Get a block of wood and place this between the hammer and sump, give a couple of short taps with the hammer, on the wood, to shift the sump. Lower the jack carefully. The sump will be full of oil, so watch for this. I got it all over the drive when I did it, so be careful. Dispose of the oil in the bowl, and remove the sump.
Now remove the small sump and bring both out. Clean both sumps thoroughly, and remove any gasket material from the face of the sump flange. I used a paint scraper and some white spirit to get a nice clean surface, repeat this procedure on the box itself. Be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
I left the bowl under the box for an hour, and cleaned the sumps completely.
Get your large gasket and match it up to the large sump. Get under the car and offer the sump up to the box. Whilst holding the sump, place a bolt in each of the four corners, finger tighten for now. Place in the other 12, all finger tight. Ratchet tighten in a corner opposite corner, opposite end corner corner fashion, or a criss cross fashion.
Check each bolt is done up to haynes torque figures.
Get your 1 litre bottle and squeeze fluid into the box.
Refill the bottle and repeat till fluid comes out the fill hole. Place the plug back in and start the engine.
Beware of one of the cats, that'll be above your head.
Remove the plug, worry not, no fluid will be ejected under high pressure, as it'll all be slurping around the box, under high pressure. Continue filling again until fluid can be seen escaping.
Place in the fill bolt. Get the car off the ramps, and select all gear ratios. Take it for a spin, and on your return, check the fluid levels once more.
And that's all you need to do. Dispose of the old fluid safely, via your local recycling scheme, or used oil bank.
HTH
James.