PAPERBKWRITER

I bought a '94 coupe last fall and stored it all winter and now I'm getting ready to put it on the road. I bought it from a GM dealer with "factory trained" techs. So, I had it shipped from out of state and when I get it home I find it's 4 quarts overfilled with oil. OK took care of that. Now the trans fluid is 2 1/2 " above the filled line when cold. I think it's probably 2 quarts or more overfilled. So, without dropping the pan how do I get it out? Would one of those cheap gas suction things work?

bow tie guy

you disconnect the lower transmission cooler line from the radiator

start the engine and fill a 2 litre soda bottle with fluid try taking out a qt first and keep and eye on the level as you pump it out 15 -20 seoconds
should get a qt out

You may need some sections of hose to slip over the cooler line
this trans flush procedure has been discussed here at length use the search function if it what I'm describing dosen't make sense to you

QCVette

I have used a suction on a couple cars and it wouldn't work on a few. I don't know on a '94 Corvette.

However, I wouldn't bother trying. If these "factory trained" techs couldn't fill it right, then do you think they even used the right fluid? I would think this is a great time to drop the trans oil pan and replace the filter and put in new fluid so you know what you are starting with.

Good luck.

enventr

I use the suction device right thru the dipstick hole. I suction out almost 2 qts

Cliff Harris

That's about right. When the engine is running the trans pump fills up the torque converter and the trans cooler, so the level will drop.

You need to check the fluid level when the trans is HOT and the engine is running. After driving to get the trans hot I usually wait a minute or so for everything to settle down before checking the level.

PAPERBKWRITER

Thanks for the prompt replies. You guys have given me some great ideas.

PatternDayTrader

Drop the pan or use some sort of suction device.

I am reasonably confident the cooler lines at the radiator are part of the lubrication circuit in your transmission. Personally I wouldn't interrupt the flow of that oil, even though it may seem easier.

aklim

I thought the oil goes from the trans to the trans cooler and back? The return line seems higher than the oil pan which is where it sucks the fluid out of via the filter which is almost at the bottom. So while it is part of the circuit, what would it affect, really? I know on my Powerstroke, the trans builder who effectively warranties his transmissions for life does it that way and did it in front of me one time and we didn't see any bubbles in the clear tube. We dumped the appropriate amount of fluid in, overfilled by a few (maybe 4 qt), start it and when about a gallon fills up, we shut down. Overfill again, run engine and shut down. After that, we top off. We did this because there was no drain plug in the TC and we wanted to clean out that old fluid after 30K

WW7

with this 100%...Once I find something someone has screwed up on a car, then any work they have done becomes suspect....?...WW
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aklim

I usually have bad luck leaving the car there for you to fix. Even if they say "no standing by the car", I sit far away enough in the shop with binoculars to see what is going on. I have trust issues.

PatternDayTrader

You could also drain your engine oil by disconnecting an oil cooler line and running the engine, but you would be starving the engine of its life blood.

I just don't do things that way. To each their own.

aklim

I agree that draining ALL the oil that way is bad for the engine except perhaps for a Powerstroke that will die when there isn't enough oil to fire the injectors.

However, would it hurt if you had an assistant who would help you shut down after a quart or two? I suppose the safest way is to do what I have done which is use my Topsider to suck it out. Unfortunately many don't have shop air and the Topsider