Autobox & rear diff oil change[s]....

[slim_boy_fat]

Had the car into my local garage this morning for a 'drain & refill' for the oil in the autobox and rear diff. Took 1 hour all in for both diff & autobox. Diff oil looked almost new and no metal particles on the magnetic drain plug, the autobox fluid was very dark compared to the new 'red' stuff, but maybe that's just how it gets after nearly 80k miles??

Total cost of £202 inc VAT. Too soon to say if I notice any difference as I only drove the mile back from the garage to my house - so watch this space. As I've said before, oil's cheap for what it does.

Got under the car for the first time since buying while it was on the ramp and all looks good with no nasty, rusty/knackered bits to be seen.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Depends on the car...I did my Volvo oil just 1l every few months...ended up breaking the gearbox .

I ended up changing the solenoids in the valve body which was an awful job.

Problem is I think Volvo didn't fit a filter...I've fitted a magnafine filter ....wish I'd done that in the beginning.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Depends on the car...

Lexus IS250SE-L

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Could you fit a magnafine filter in the return line from the trans cooler and give it a fighting chance.

Mine was a Volvo xc70...the box started acting up but wasn't for 1-2k miles after the last 1l went in.

Volvos have a very particular solenoid...the original design is prone to collecting silt...and the new oil has detergents I think which generated lots of silt.

 

[dobbslc]

I've just been looking at oils for the Surf, front diff, transfer box, rear LSD, I've never changed them I did a half change of the autobox a few years ago. I can't believe there's no sump plug on that to allow a full change!
Opie oils are £40 cheaper than Roughtrax!

 

[roofman]

Lexus IS250SE-L

My lad has the same car in auto...it has every option and he loves it. Good choice going from the E60 Slim boy

 

[dobbslc]

I've just been looking at Lexus RX 400h's on eBay.
Thanks Slim

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I was surprised that both the drain and fill plugs were on the bottom of the pan. Apparently the fill one has something like a cone inside, once the fluid reaches the top of that it starts to overflow - never heard of a similar arrangement.

 

[Rannsachair]

I was surprised that both the drain and fill plugs were on the bottom of the pan. Apparently the fill one has something like a cone inside, once the fluid reaches the top of that it starts to overflow - never heard of a similar arrangement.

Triumph motorcycles have used a gearbox drain and level plug since the 1950's, simple design with a tube to the oil level:

 

[Rannsachair]

I've just been looking at Lexus RX 400h's on eBay.
Thanks Slim

My wife has been running a RX450h for over 4 years now, been faultless and she loves it.

 

[Moose McAlpine]

I was surprised that both the drain and fill plugs were on the bottom of the pan. Apparently the fill one has something like a cone inside, once the fluid reaches the top of that it starts to overflow - never heard of a similar arrangement.

Pretty usual for autos and DSG boxes. Many only have one, in some you unscrew the level tube to drain the gearbox.

 

[premmington]

I was surprised that both the drain and fill plugs were on the bottom of the pan. Apparently the fill one has something like a cone inside, once the fluid reaches the top of that it starts to overflow - never heard of a similar arrangement.

Yeah most modern Mercs and VAG stuff have these "snorkel" arrangements.

You take bung out - then remove snorkel with allen key - to drain oil - then replace snorkel - pump oil in from underneath to fill.

Snorkel height - sets level at certain gearbox temp when measured with a scan tool.

Basically you over fill them and when they hot - they spill out wha they don't want/need (can be wastefull with expensive ATF fluid)

Saves having to have a fill point at manufacture.

You want one of these... To fill them - they got all the threaded adapters in the box.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Volvo have a drain plug...but the fill is the dip tube. Right next to the dip tube is a bolt...it looks like the fill point but if you unscrew it all the bands fall apart and it'll need a gearbox rebuild...that's what I read!

...needless to say I didn't try it out!

 

[roblane65]

Just remember with auto boxes your never doing a full ATF change , that is unless youv'e got a special bit kit , atf is also in the torque converter which doesn't empty when you drain the box so your only ever doing a refresh and it would take more than few to be all new . A bit like the land rover sealed for life rubbish in the Range rover manuel yet they sell the pan/filters and yet ZF state ( L322 ) 50 thou fluid filter or 40 thou if towing a lot . I think it is a big reason auto's get a bad rep is because people don't want to pay to maintain them properly .

 

[premmington]

Just remember with auto boxes your never doing a full ATF change , that is unless youv'e got a special bit kit , atf is also in the torque converter which doesn't empty when you drain the box so your only ever doing a refresh and it would take more than few to be all new . A bit like the land rover sealed for life rubbish in the Range rover manuel yet they sell the pan/filters and yet ZF state ( L322 ) 50 thou fluid filter or 40 thou if towing a lot . I think it is a big reason auto's get a bad rep is because people don't want to pay to maintain them properly .

Fluid changes are more important on the DSG - type double clutched auto boxes (manual boxes with mechatronic unit instead of clutch pedal - gearstick). These wet clutches - put wear particles into the fluid.

@roblane65 - you are right - about the TC and pipe work and coolers. Service fills are a lot less fluid than a dry fill.

I do allot of auto gear box fluid changes at my workshop (two/three a week ish).

I got three pumps with differing grades of ATF in them - saves cleaning for differing grades.

 

[ian f]

 

[sako243]

I was surprised that both the drain and fill plugs were on the bottom of the pan. Apparently the fill one has something like a cone inside, once the fluid reaches the top of that it starts to overflow - never heard of a similar arrangement.

Better than the ZF setup 6hp and 8hp setups which have to be running to set the level. When running the level is significantly lower than when not so you have to fill up until it starts to drip, start the engine and let it pump fluid around whilst you keep topping it up. Once fluid reaches 50 or 60°C then you ensure its up to the fill mark and put the bung in before turning off the engine. Made that mistake once of stopping the vehicle and 60% of the expensive fluid came ******* back out.

 

[8ob]

Discolouration of trans fluid is only from the plates, the danger is from the filter getting clogged and the associated messing with pressures. I would go with a pan off, filter and fluid change.

Bob

 

[slim_boy_fat]

sets level at certain gearbox temp when measured with a scan tool.

Aye, I noticed he plugged his scanner to check the temp when doing it.

 

[Morrisman]

Discolouration of trans fluid is only from the plates, the danger is from the filter getting clogged and the associated messing with pressures. I would go with a pan off, filter and fluid change.

Bob

The only auto boxes I have ever worked on are 50 year old Chevrolets. And one almost as ancient Rover th180. They don't have drain plugs, you have to drop the oil pan to get the fluid out, as you are supposed to change the filter every time you change the oil.