Well i figger its about time to change the trans fluid on my 04 bought it a year ago with 87k redone the timing chain at 90k and now has 97k. (knock on wood) I Do not think that the fluid ha ever been change. Im going to drop the pan put in a new filter and gasket. I think im going to go with 2 gallons of Valvoline Maxlife. any trick or tip u guys have? (Cars going on a 4 point lift when i do this)
Simple job. Put huge pan under the car and remove the transmission pan. I would loosen one corner slightly so let fluid out on the corner slowly. The filter is right inside the pan, just pulls straight down and out. Clean up the pan and get any metal particles off the magnets on the pan. Install is the opposite. Put filter in and then bolt pan back up. The next part is pulling the check level bolt on the side of the trans and pouring fluid into it. I believe about 7.4 qts should do it. Here is a picture of about where the check plug is. When fluid runs out of the trans fluid check plug hole... then your full. Put plug bcak in and TADA. I did this almost 4 years ago with my first z24.
WOW I didnt even notice the fill plug on the side! What is the red cap on the top of my engine?
Thanks Ed
Also i have the understanding that the car should be running when Checking the fluid level, Does this not apply becuz its a plug instead of a dip stick?
The red cap on top of the transmission is the fluid fill hole.I use a very long funnel.
Engine running on a level surface moving shifter into gears and going back into park. At least 40C or 104F temp.
Approximate 6.9 quarts
Tighten in a criss-cross pattern torque spec for bottom pan 106 in lb or 8.83 ft lb.
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=11&i=138346&t=138346
My trick for changing the automatic transmission fluid is don't. That is correct do not change it. This is my opinion and a transmission shop in my area that know what they are doing. Leave the fluid in for the life of the transmission. Why, I'm sure you are asking. Well after your 97,000 miles, lots of gunk and junk are stuck in the little crevices and all that, so when you put new fluid in you will be breaking all that stuff loose and all you will end up doing is having a bunch of stuff that will be floating around your transmission looking for something to clog and chances are it will. Then you will have transmission problems for real and you don't want that. So chances are after changing your fluid you will need to rebuild the transmission in the next 5 - 10 thousand miles because something will break free and go where it isn't wanted. There is one exception to the rule, if you have the transmission new or after a fresh rebuild and change the fluid within 15,000 miles each time then you can change it, as long as you keep up with it, and do the changes every 15,000 miles, otherwise leave the original fluid in the transmission for the life of it. If you want to say I'm wrong that is fine, I've known 4 people who told me I was wrong over the last 25 years only to have their transmission fail within the 5 - 10 thousand mile mark after changing the fluid.
That is my advice.
Bob, you're wrong!!! I had my 1998 for 13 years with 137,000 miles on it. Had the transmission fluid changed twice at 5 years and 10 years. NEVER did I have a problem with the transmission. Guess when you know how to do it properly, you don't have problems.
98 Z24
RIP Specks
ZSleeper wrote:Bob, you're wrong!!! I had my 1998 for 13 years with 137,000 miles on it. Had the transmission fluid changed twice at 5 years and 10 years. NEVER did I have a problem with the transmission. Guess when you know how to do it properly, you don't have problems.
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe you got lucky, maybe I'm right. All I know is that is my advice and what I will continue to go with. Glad you didn't have any problems when you changed your fluid.
Bob, from the link you posted: "So if a customer requests a transmission fluid exchange for the first time on a transmission with
more than 75,000 miles, or one that's already showing symptoms of an immanent failure, the customer
has to accept the risk; not the shop." "ATRA's position is that a fluid change is part of regular transmission maintenance."
Since the owners manuals state when to do transmission fluid changes, that is considered "regular maintenance". I wasn't talking about waiting till you start having problems with the transmission and then do a change just to prolong the transmission. You might want to re-read that pdf file and see that the ATRA is stating what I just stated.
98 Z24
RIP Specks
Well i changed it today, Used valvoline MaxLife and a duralast filter/gasket. @!#$f alot better from what i can tell when i was driving it back to the parking lot.
Does anyone know what the plastic box that says "push here" is?? i pushed it it fell off and all there was was a holem, poped it back on with no problem.
Thanks for all help!
Bob Johnson wrote:ZSleeper wrote:Bob, you're wrong!!! I had my 1998 for 13 years with 137,000 miles on it. Had the transmission fluid changed twice at 5 years and 10 years. NEVER did I have a problem with the transmission. Guess when you know how to do it properly, you don't have problems.
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe you got lucky, maybe I'm right. All I know is that is my advice and what I will continue to go with. Glad you didn't have any problems when you changed your fluid.
Bob your wrong. If your at say 100,000 and never changed the the fluid, then yes, if you change it all the built up particles can get stuck where they do not belong and further hurt the trans. But at that point the trans is probably already starting to slip, and is on its way out.
So from your own article...
Quote:
So if a customer requests a transmission fluid exchange for the first time on a transmission with
more than 75,000 miles, or one that's already showing symptoms of an immanent failure, the customer
has to accept the risk; not the shop.
Look in this post for GM's procedure, and a ton of info on the 4T40E trans.
PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
M45 + LD9 + 4T40-E, GO GO GO
OK, Fellas, this is my last post on the subject, because I'm not going to turn this into a back and forth thread. My opinion and advice is that if you have 100,000 miles on your car to leave the transmission fluid alone, too much of a risk of plugging things up in my opinion by changing it. If you change it every 15,000 miles from the beginning then you should be alright changing it out. Like I said that is my opinion and it is ultimately up to the car owner if they want to take the risk or not. Like I said this is my opinion, you have the right to disagree as you have and I'm OK with it. I've stated the reasons I think it is a bad idea and that is all I have left to contribute to the thread.
So do what you feel better with. We can all still get along so it isn't a big deal, just a difference of opinion. It happens all the time.
I wish whatever you decide to do that it works out for you, not here to create ill-will towards anyone. We are all here to help. I appreciate the help I've recieved in the past on this forum and hope someone finds my information helpful when I try to return the favor.
Thanks again, everyone.
I understand that everyone has the right to their opinon. I can see why some people say take the chance and why others say not to. I thank you guys for the help. Not saying one is right and the other is wrong. It's a gamble, But does anyone who what the push here box is?
Not changing your filter is wrong, swapping all fluid can ask for trouble depending on how its done. Dexron 6 is the king right now for GM transmissions. Not doing a filter job is asking for a new tranny before 200,000kms. Unless you have @!#$-house luck. Some people go a long time without doing nothing but more people go the same time with proper transmission filter servicing, especially if its never been done since factory.
Change the filter, check level one more time after next engine oil change.
Red cap on top is also a breather FYI
4t40e
My tip (since you already done it) to others is, watch the exhaust parts when messing with the check plug, wipe the grey grime off all wipeable areas inside trans. Don't pour all 7 liters in right away, start with 3. Use a torque wrench for the pan bolts!
