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Automatic transmission fluid change question.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Automatic transmission fluid change question.
I have never changed transmission fluid and I think it's time to do it on my 2000 automatic coupe and wanted to know if it's as easy as it looks. I just see one drain bolt on the bottom of the transmission. Do I just open , let it drain, and fill thru the same area or is there another plug nearby?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
I have never changed transmission fluid and I think it's time to do it on my 2000 automatic coupe and wanted to know if it's as easy as it looks. I just see one drain bolt on the bottom of the transmission. Do I just open , let it drain, and fill thru the same area or is there another plug nearby?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Unless you have the proper procedure,, totally understand it and are able to do it.... I WOULDNT!
Just like ipuig stated,, its a very unique procedure. Drain and FILL with the engine running and at temp!!!
NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! If not done correctly,, you risk a tranny rebuild!!
BC
Just like ipuig stated,, its a very unique procedure. Drain and FILL with the engine running and at temp!!!
NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! If not done correctly,, you risk a tranny rebuild!!
BC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Unless you have the proper procedure,, totally understand it and are able to do it.... I WOULDNT!
Just like ipuig stated,, its a very unique procedure. Drain and FILL with the engine running and at temp!!!
NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! If not done correctly,, you risk a tranny rebuild!!
BC
Just like ipuig stated,, its a very unique procedure. Drain and FILL with the engine running and at temp!!!
NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! If not done correctly,, you risk a tranny rebuild!!
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
its NOT eass, its impossible!
The only way you can change ALL the trani fluid in an A4 is to have the trani power-flushed by machine. The BEST you can do yourself is drop the pan, replace the gasket with new and then top off the trani - but ,that way, you've only changed aprox 4-5 quarts of the total trani fluid.
There's a great deal of debate on the forum as to the relative worth of power-flushing. Several members ascribe to the "if it ain't broke..." theory.Do a search, its been discussed a number of times.
How many miles on the car?
The only way you can change ALL the trani fluid in an A4 is to have the trani power-flushed by machine. The BEST you can do yourself is drop the pan, replace the gasket with new and then top off the trani - but ,that way, you've only changed aprox 4-5 quarts of the total trani fluid.
There's a great deal of debate on the forum as to the relative worth of power-flushing. Several members ascribe to the "if it ain't broke..." theory.Do a search, its been discussed a number of times.
How many miles on the car?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
If your Tranny is working good then bring it to the dealer or a good Tranny shop and do a regular Tranny service which consists of a simple fluid drain and refill, new filter and gaskets. If your not having trouble with your tranny then do not do a power flush, all that will do is dislodge small metal fragments from the internal components and cause problems you didnt have before. A regular tranny service will not drain all the fluid out, but you don't have to drain it all. Do the service now and do it again in another 20 to 30K miles and you'll be fine. Thats how I did my 2002 A4 and my Tranny is running great. Good luck bro!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,026
Likes: 17
You are creating extra work for yourself. It's not necessary, don't do it.
I've done it, the correct way, on jackstands, only because I added a deep trans pan with more oil capacity for racing. It's a huge pain, and even filling it correctly won't keep the fluid from belching out of the vent if it gets overheated.
You won't be doing yourself any functional help unless the fluid was contaminated from the coolant in the radiator.
I've done it, the correct way, on jackstands, only because I added a deep trans pan with more oil capacity for racing. It's a huge pain, and even filling it correctly won't keep the fluid from belching out of the vent if it gets overheated.
You won't be doing yourself any functional help unless the fluid was contaminated from the coolant in the radiator.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
You are creating extra work for yourself. It's not necessary, don't do it.
I've done it, the correct way, on jackstands, only because I added a deep trans pan with more oil capacity for racing. It's a huge pain, and even filling it correctly won't keep the fluid from belching out of the vent if it gets overheated.
You won't be doing yourself any functional help unless the fluid was contaminated from the coolant in the radiator.
I've done it, the correct way, on jackstands, only because I added a deep trans pan with more oil capacity for racing. It's a huge pain, and even filling it correctly won't keep the fluid from belching out of the vent if it gets overheated.
You won't be doing yourself any functional help unless the fluid was contaminated from the coolant in the radiator.
Newbie question. Is there any connection between the transmission fluid area and the radiator and ac tube lines as the fluid that came out from the hoses looked a little oily. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,026
Likes: 17
the trans cooler runs through the radiator, and that's the only way the two can contaminate each others systems. Coolant in the transmission will detroy it. The tranny fluid isn't something you need to worry about on a year by year basis. It isn't subject to combustion, and likely isn't subject to too high a temperature unless you are a racer. It's just a waste of time to worry about it imo.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 6
From: Long Valley NJ
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'08,'11 thru '17, '21
I did my 98 a couple of years ago. Aside from slightly burning my arm on the exhaust while checking the level with the car running, the biggest problem I had was getting the filter out. The seal was left up in the passageway where the filter goes in, and I had to fab a sort of slide hammer puller thing to get it out. All in all, a fun time!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
the trans cooler runs through the radiator, and that's the only way the two can contaminate each others systems. Coolant in the transmission will detroy it. The tranny fluid isn't something you need to worry about on a year by year basis. It isn't subject to combustion, and likely isn't subject to too high a temperature unless you are a racer. It's just a waste of time to worry about it imo.
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,026
Likes: 17
Since I took out the radiator, fans and AC piece, I let whatever fluid drain out from the hoses that they were connected as I thought I was just letting the coolant out. If the trans cooler line drained whatever was in it, then will my transmission fluid be low and is there any way to measure it?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Dragging this one up from the depths just 'cuz I'm new at this Corvette and automatic stuff.
Called two local Chevvy dealers. Both quoted around $200 to "flush" the transmission. $225 or so to drain it and change the filter. Flushing was the first thing out of both service writers mouths. One suggested alternating, flush one time, then drain with the filter the next.
My local transmission shop quoted me $190 to just drain. Said it would take him 3 hours to do it.
My Vette has 72k on it with no history. Kinda leaning towards the flush for my first service. No shifting problems, but I'm kinda annal about maintenance.
Called two local Chevvy dealers. Both quoted around $200 to "flush" the transmission. $225 or so to drain it and change the filter. Flushing was the first thing out of both service writers mouths. One suggested alternating, flush one time, then drain with the filter the next.
My local transmission shop quoted me $190 to just drain. Said it would take him 3 hours to do it.
My Vette has 72k on it with no history. Kinda leaning towards the flush for my first service. No shifting problems, but I'm kinda annal about maintenance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,342
Likes: 1,123
From: Dyer, IN
Dragging this one up from the depths just 'cuz I'm new at this Corvette and automatic stuff.
Called two local Chevvy dealers. Both quoted around $200 to "flush" the transmission. $225 or so to drain it and change the filter. Flushing was the first thing out of both service writers mouths. One suggested alternating, flush one time, then drain with the filter the next.
My local transmission shop quoted me $190 to just drain. Said it would take him 3 hours to do it.
My Vette has 72k on it with no history. Kinda leaning towards the flush for my first service. No shifting problems, but I'm kinda annal about maintenance.
Called two local Chevvy dealers. Both quoted around $200 to "flush" the transmission. $225 or so to drain it and change the filter. Flushing was the first thing out of both service writers mouths. One suggested alternating, flush one time, then drain with the filter the next.
My local transmission shop quoted me $190 to just drain. Said it would take him 3 hours to do it.
My Vette has 72k on it with no history. Kinda leaning towards the flush for my first service. No shifting problems, but I'm kinda annal about maintenance.
Have the shop do a fluid and filter change, and you're good to go.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 305
Likes: 67
From: york south carolina
c5 Trand fluid change
Have done may before on older cars. 2004 corvette is something new. Had 100k. Measured amount taken out vice amount going back in. w/o dropping pan only if to changing filter. The plug is right at the bottom the the pan but was only able to get 55oz. When replacing fluid could only get 50oz back in. I am unaware if it had ever been done before i got the car so it was good insurance for me. The fluid was clean and mostly red. Good sign. Not as good as a power flush. even though i recommed that instead. Maybe next time. i power flushed my saturn and it made all the differance in the world. But what was important is water pump went bad and trans fluid does not handle heat like oil does so i wanted to change it. not as much change as i preferred but some is better than none. will run it for a while then maybe a power flush in the future. Just adding some feed back FYI.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
After 40 yrs + of twisting wrenches, nothing is as simple as it looks. It cost so little to have a good tranny shop do it I have had it done every 30,000 miles on my C5 and I bought it new special order.
