Zf-6 oil replacement procedure?
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Socal CA
Zf-6 oil replacement procedure?
Yes, I am a newbie, but a long time lurker! I am getting ready to change out the oil in the zf-6 transmission, and wanted to know if anyone had any “tips” on making the job easier. I did a search and checked out http://www.zfdoc.com, but there doesn’t seem to be any info on how to replace the oil. Where is the drain plug? How does everyone refill the oil? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.
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From: Hillsborough NH
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Re: Zf-6 oil replacement procedure? (Golden Bear)
Hi!
Its a fairly easy operation, provided you can get your car up in the air a few feet. There is a drain plug directly on the bottom of the tranny. On the passanger side is the fill plug.
Always loosen the fill plug first (so you don't drain the fluid then realise you can't fill it because of a stuck fill plug).
You'll need a fluid pump to get the fluid back in the fill hole ($10 at AutoZone or so).
I HIGHLY reccomend the Castrol TWS 10W-60 oil!! :cheers:
Its a fairly easy operation, provided you can get your car up in the air a few feet. There is a drain plug directly on the bottom of the tranny. On the passanger side is the fill plug.
Always loosen the fill plug first (so you don't drain the fluid then realise you can't fill it because of a stuck fill plug).
You'll need a fluid pump to get the fluid back in the fill hole ($10 at AutoZone or so).
I HIGHLY reccomend the Castrol TWS 10W-60 oil!! :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,877
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Re: Zf-6 oil replacement procedure? (Golden Bear)
:withstupid:
Just make sure you get the correct size allen wrench for the drain and fill plugs. I don't remember the size off hand but they are big. Your local homedepot or lowes will have them. also a good suction pump(electic or handheld will make it easier to get the new fluid up into the tranny. It's an easy job to do and you can do it in about an 1/2 hour to an hour
Let us know if you need anythings else
Just make sure you get the correct size allen wrench for the drain and fill plugs. I don't remember the size off hand but they are big. Your local homedepot or lowes will have them. also a good suction pump(electic or handheld will make it easier to get the new fluid up into the tranny. It's an easy job to do and you can do it in about an 1/2 hour to an hour
Let us know if you need anythings else
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From: N. Alabama
Re: Zf-6 oil replacement procedure? (Golden Bear)
I used the GM stuff since it looks a little different from regular oil (some say it is the same). I figure such an expensive transmission deserves the GM stuff for peace of mind.
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From: Michigan in the summer, Florida the rest of the time
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11
Re: Zf-6 oil replacement procedure? (Golden Bear)
Autozone has the 17mm hex socket allen - it's combined with two other sizes for about 10 bucks.
I'd run the car for a bit to get the oil heated up, then remove the fill plug first (duh). Then remove the drain plug to get the old oil out.
To refill, I used a 3 foot section of 1/2" tubing - run it down the firewall from above. Jam a funnel in the end and refill with just over 2 quarts of fresh lube. Great way to refill! :cheers:
See the ZFDOC site for lube recommendations. Nobody knows better than the doc which oils are best for the ZF.
Brad
I'd run the car for a bit to get the oil heated up, then remove the fill plug first (duh). Then remove the drain plug to get the old oil out.
To refill, I used a 3 foot section of 1/2" tubing - run it down the firewall from above. Jam a funnel in the end and refill with just over 2 quarts of fresh lube. Great way to refill! :cheers:
See the ZFDOC site for lube recommendations. Nobody knows better than the doc which oils are best for the ZF.
Brad
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From: Youngstown Oh
Re: Zf-6 oil replacement procedure? (Golden Bear)
Takes 2.2 quarts. GM factory part # 1052931 (3 quarts) $8.00 plus each. 17MM Allen type wrench. Remove the fill hole plug first. At 17,000 miles on my '96 the oil looked very clean when drained.
To fill I used a large industrual hand pump oil can from the mill with a 12" flex slout. Won't do it that way again! It took a heck of a lot of pumping while laying on my back to fill it. I wish I had used the long small diameter hose and a funnel suggested in an earlier post. I don't think you can over fill the housing. Put a pan under the fill hole to catch overflow, pour in 2.5 quarts and the excess will drain from the fill hole when you remove the hose.
To fill I used a large industrual hand pump oil can from the mill with a 12" flex slout. Won't do it that way again! It took a heck of a lot of pumping while laying on my back to fill it. I wish I had used the long small diameter hose and a funnel suggested in an earlier post. I don't think you can over fill the housing. Put a pan under the fill hole to catch overflow, pour in 2.5 quarts and the excess will drain from the fill hole when you remove the hose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,877
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Re: Zf-6 oil replacement procedure? (GS Ragtop)
To refill, I used a 3 foot section of 1/2" tubing - run it down the firewall from above. Jam a funnel in the end and refill with just over 2 quarts of fresh lube. Great way to refill! :cheers:
[Modified by Ruby6spd, 9:03 AM 2/25/2003]
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: NORTH WEST PA
Re: Zf-6 oil replacement procedure? (Ruby6spd)
To refill, I used a 3 foot section of 1/2" tubing - run it down the firewall from above. Jam a funnel in the end and refill with just over 2 quarts of fresh lube. Great way to refill! :cheers:
Thats a great CLEAN way of doing it, I wish I would have thought of that. Everytime I use my suction pump I manage to get fluid all over myself and the garage floor. Espcially when changing the thick rear end fluid!!
Thats a great CLEAN way of doing it, I wish I would have thought of that. Everytime I use my suction pump I manage to get fluid all over myself and the garage floor. Espcially when changing the thick rear end fluid!!
I used an SAE nut, I don't remember what size but the nut fit the hex perectly. With the nut in the hex opening of the drain plug, it stuck out hex plug enough to get a socket on it and remove the plug drain plug. I used the samenut with a wrench on the fill plug between the side of the trans and the trans tunnel.
For the refill I used a piece of plastic hose, 1/2" sounds about right. with a 3/8" copper elbow that fit perectly into the fill hole. I got all of this stuf at the hardware store for about $3. I didn't worry about overflow since I only added the recommended amount of GM oil. I think about 2.4 quarts. Just to be safe keep the drain pan under the car to catch any overflow.
All good sugestions posted here ... just wanted to add my experience.
Brian
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 871
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From: Union KY
Re: Zf-6 oil replacement procedure? (Golden Bear)
Golden Bear:
I changed mine last weekend, so this is all fresh info...First go to AutoZine and buy the $7.99 12, 14, 17mm hex head socket set (The drain and fill plugs are both 17mm).
Second, the fill plug is on the passenger side half way up the transmission. The drain plug is on the bottom. First remove the fill plug.(that'll let the air flow in so it'll drain faster. It'll also let you be sure that it will come out so that you have a way to fill it!
Third, while you're at AZ, buy a plastic transfer pump at AZ that they sell for about $5. It comes with a plastic hose on the discharge end. You put the suction tube into the gear oil bottle and pump it in. The ZF unit holds 4.4 pints.
Good luck. Cire96 :cheers:
I changed mine last weekend, so this is all fresh info...First go to AutoZine and buy the $7.99 12, 14, 17mm hex head socket set (The drain and fill plugs are both 17mm).
Second, the fill plug is on the passenger side half way up the transmission. The drain plug is on the bottom. First remove the fill plug.(that'll let the air flow in so it'll drain faster. It'll also let you be sure that it will come out so that you have a way to fill it!
Third, while you're at AZ, buy a plastic transfer pump at AZ that they sell for about $5. It comes with a plastic hose on the discharge end. You put the suction tube into the gear oil bottle and pump it in. The ZF unit holds 4.4 pints.
Good luck. Cire96 :cheers:
