ripped off
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 519
Likes: 5
ripped off
Ok . I recently took my 86 manual 4+3 to a GM dealership. One of the things I paid them to do was change the OD fluid. Don't you have to remove the pan much like an auto fluid change? I was under the car yesterday and it was obvious that no pan bolts were removed. It looks like 25 year old dirt under there. Was not able to do a carbon dating test.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 2
From: PA
GM dealerships tend to not like working on C4s, and don't stock too many parts for them these days. They'd prefer you bought a new car from them. If you can't do it yourself, find a good Corvette specialist or at least a decent local garage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 15
From: Montreal Quebec
IMO...They must have use a pump that pumped the old fluid out and used another to pump new fluid in without even taking the pan off!
Charge you $$$ by the hours to do the job + fluids and any cleaner involved in the task...
Might done a great job since you ask for a oil change with no leaks involved so they did and like an axle oil change they did not disassemble it to change the oil and nothing can be seen thru the casing or bolts but the oil was still changed anyway...
Charge you $$$ by the hours to do the job + fluids and any cleaner involved in the task...
Might done a great job since you ask for a oil change with no leaks involved so they did and like an axle oil change they did not disassemble it to change the oil and nothing can be seen thru the casing or bolts but the oil was still changed anyway...
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you want to make sure the job is done right, watch them like a hawk or either do it yourself.
Last edited by H P Bushrod; Aug 6, 2012 at 10:16 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,331
Likes: 1,141
From: Vermilion OH
^^^very true. it has its own pan and filter setup, as it IS an automatic transmission attached to the rear of the T-10. they are basically two separate transmissions working together. they work very well when maintained
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 519
Likes: 5
IMO...They must have use a pump that pumped the old fluid out and used another to pump new fluid in without even taking the pan off!
Charge you $$$ by the hours to do the job + fluids and any cleaner involved in the task...
Might done a great job since you ask for a oil change with no leaks involved so they did and like an axle oil change they did not disassemble it to change the oil and nothing can be seen thru the casing or bolts but the oil was still changed anyway...
Charge you $$$ by the hours to do the job + fluids and any cleaner involved in the task...
Might done a great job since you ask for a oil change with no leaks involved so they did and like an axle oil change they did not disassemble it to change the oil and nothing can be seen thru the casing or bolts but the oil was still changed anyway...
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 8
From: Sumter South Carolina
Ive never had anyone drop the pan to change the fluid on any of my auto transmissions. Its always done by a pump. I get what you mean with the filter though, and sounds like "that wasnt what you specified" could be what the dealer says. Ive only met one dealer that had a really experienced tech on staff for pre 2000 cars, and that was my -VW dealership. You need to find a good and trustworthy smaller shop who you talk with the mechanic instead of a manager when you pay and drop off the car.
Best way ive found is 1: do it all yourself... the money you save will buy you lots of tools, or 2: find a good church who is really family oriented and connect with a mechanic that goes to the chuch. They tend to be more honest with God looking over their shoulder...
Best way ive found is 1: do it all yourself... the money you save will buy you lots of tools, or 2: find a good church who is really family oriented and connect with a mechanic that goes to the chuch. They tend to be more honest with God looking over their shoulder...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The pan comes off in about two minutes, it gets a quick cleaning, the pan rails are cleaned of all old gasket material, straightened, and re-installed using a good quality RTV black sealant. Add two quarts of DEXIII (non-synthetic) ATF and it's done. Very simple and straightforward for any reasonable skilled tech.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
There is no way to pump the fluid out. It has to be drained out by removing the pan. There is no dip stick to measure the fluid eigther. Thus meaning there is no tube that the fluid can siphoned up and out of. Anyone who has had any transmission drained by siphoning the fluid up and out the tube is kidding themselves into thinking they did it completely. There is definitely a filter in the case also. Use only Dextron III non synthetic fluid when changing it. The filter part numbers are listed in the search link at the top of this page. There are a few different brand part numbers for it listed as they can all be used. Be sure that the "O" ring on the old filter is removed with caution as you may have to re-use it because the filter does not come with a new one. Use a good gasket maker such as "The Right Stuff" brand when reinstalling the pan cover. IT WILL NOT LEAK! This fluid only needs to be changed every 25,000 to 30,000 miles. A few owners do it a lot more frequent, but it's not really neccessary if you aren't abusing the transmission. 
Last edited by FOURSPEEDVETTE; Aug 7, 2012 at 10:11 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
Have a 95 vert. Had the pan dropped once and was very hard because I had to drop the x brace.I started every year to siphon trams oil 2times a year.I also have a cooler.I know dropping the pan is a better way but because of the x brace I just siphon,fluid always looks good
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,699
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
There is no way to pump the fluid out. It has to be drained out by removing the pan. There is no dip stick to measure the fluid eigther. Thus meaning there is no tube that the fluid can siphoned up and out of. Anyone who has had any transmission drained by siphoning the fluid up and out the tube is kidding themselves into thinking they did it completely. There is definitely a filter in the case also. Use only Dextron III non synthetic fluid when changing it. The filter part numbers are listed in the search link at the top of this page. There are a few different brand part numbers for it listed as they can all be used. Be sure that the "O" ring on the old filter is removed with caution as you may have to re-use it because the filter does not come with a new one. Use a good gasket maker such as "The Right Stuff" brand when reinstalling the pan cover. IT WILL NOT LEAK! This fluid only needs to be changed every 25,000 to 30,000 miles. A few owners do it a lot more frequent, but it's not really neccessary if you aren't abusing the transmission.
