How to drain transmission fluid?

nadz · Post by **nadz** » 31 Oct 2010, 15:18

Where is the drain plug for the transmission fluid and what size bolt is needed?
Thanks

BigRed · Post by **BigRed** » 31 Oct 2010, 18:17

Use a 24mm combination wrench. I had to go buy one as my set(s) of wrenches only go to 19mm.

The drain plug faces the right hand side of vehicle.

It can be reached without raising the car, but there's not enough clearence for the wrench. Guess if you used a stubby you could avoid raising it.

About 4 quarts will come. Inspect the drain plug for shavings as it is magnetic.

I use a magnetic pickup tool on the drain plug for final turn so it doesn't fall into pan & I do not burn my hand.

Post by **thecheat** » 31 Oct 2010, 19:49

Can one siphon from the dipstick? I'm going to be changing out a gallon at a time and I think this would be a huge timesaver... Just get one of those squeeze bulb siphoners and drain a gallon into a jug then pour new fluid in after.

Any thoughts?

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Oct 2010, 19:56

Can one siphon from the dipstick? I'm going to be changing out a gallon at a time and I think this would be a huge timesaver... Just get one of those squeeze bulb siphoners and drain a gallon into a jug then pour new fluid in after.

No - an easy way is to pull the cooler hose and let the transmission pump itself out into a jug. Shut the motor off when it gets close to the top of the jug; then replace that amount. I always got slightly less than a whole gallon at a time, so mark off your jugs in quart intervals.

nadz · Post by **nadz** » 31 Oct 2010, 22:02

Thanks for the information, the picture is very helpful. When should I do the next drain and fill, I know only 1/3 of the fluid comes out when draining.

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Nov 2010, 07:11

A week or two - whenever you have time to get at it again.

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 02 Nov 2010, 05:07

Guys can you tell me how much expansion happens when the oil is hot over cold?

My oil never goes down to the cold markings on the transmission dip stick. Its always around the top of the Hot end. I do live in 72 to 92 degree weather in downtown LA.

I recently drained out 6 quarts and put in 6 quarts yet the oil just seems a touch higher on the dip stick to me. Any harm in over filling by say 300ml?

Post by **jblackburn** » 02 Nov 2010, 07:18

Ignore the cold mark. It's useless.

After driving for 20 minutes or so, run the car through each of the gears, then put it in park. Check the fluid level with the engine running. A very tiny bit above the mark is OK - but if it's past that mark too much you'll want to take some fluid out of there. One of those little siphon bulb things like shown above would work well for that.

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 02 Nov 2010, 15:38

Ah thanks for that, I was worried but not anymore. I will flush the trans again in 2 weeks or so and I was very careful to replace exactly what I removed.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Nov 2010, 16:40

thecheat wrote:Can one siphon from the dipstick? I'm going to be changing out a gallon at a time and I think this would be a huge timesaver... Just get one of those squeeze bulb siphoners and drain a gallon into a jug then pour new fluid in after.

Any thoughts?

Yes, this method would probably work to evacuate about one gallon. Not much different from the drain plug really, although the dregs in the bottom of the pan you won't get with a siphon.

I'm not advocating the siphon, I have flushed the trans many times by disconnecting the hose and you can flush more of the system in that way. But it should work as long as the plastic tube is small enough diameter that it doesn't seal off the dipstick tube.