HOW TO:- Auto trans oil & filter change plus B&M Sump plug install

[BOMI]

Having seen what a mess chaging the oil in a A4 is due to the fact that they have no sump plug, I purchased a B and M sump plug to drill into the pan on my SS.

DISCLAIMER:- I am not a qualified mechanic, if you do the following to your vehicle you do so at your own risk.

Firstly let your car cool down so that you dont burn yourself anywhere on the car.

Then once you are happy that the car is cool enough to work on you should chock your rear wheels and jack your car up.

I only raised one side up to do this job but you could do both sides if you wish.

I have included no pics of how to jack your car up, as always, if you need pics to do that you should not attempt to do the following how to.

Next I removed the oil from the sump of my auto trans by disconecting one of the transmission cooler (after market) lines. This allowed me to drain enough oil from the tranmission to stop it from spilling all over me when I take the sump off the transmission.

If you dont have a after market cooler you will have to put up with spilling a little (lot) of oil when you take the sump off.

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You can see in the pic on the right that the oil was due to be changed. Below you'll see even more eveidence that it needed changing.

Now that you have drained a few liters of oil out of the transmission its time to get under the car and take the pan off.

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Undo all but two bolts, I left one on each side of the pan, then I carefully supported the pan with one hand and removed the last two bolts with my other hand.

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This little black square is a magnetic pick up. It does just that, picks up ferrous material that comes from the transmission. Take a peek at the metal that was on mine.

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[BOMI]

The entire bottom of my sump had what should have been on the magnet, the magnet collected all it could.

I cleaned the sump out with rags and metho.


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Now that the pan is out and clean its time to fit the plug.

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Once I removed the burred edges from around the hole, simply fit the plug as per the very very simple instructions that come with the plug.

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[BOMI]

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On the left is the outer part the "hollow" bolt that goes into the pan. On the Right is the inner part of the kit, its a nut, yes a nut LOL Tighten to the specs in the instructions using either a socket and spanner or two sockets like I did.


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Inside the pan on the left and outside the pan on the right. The small sump plug nut goes in the part seen on the right which is outside the pan.


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Insert the small sump plug nut and tighten as above using a spanner and socket.

[BOMI]

Now take the old filter off, it comes off with a small amount of effort, not easy but not at all hard. Take note of where it comes off. It will only go on one way so its not difficult to fit.

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Looking at the transmission without the pan on, I was surprised at the amount of wires and "electronics" thats in there. The pic belowe left is taken from the rear looking to the front of the car.

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In the photo on the right you will see an arrow pointing to where the transmission oil filter fits into. From there the oil is picked up through the filter from the base of the pan. This hole is at the front of the transmission.


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A genuine AC Delco filter kit and some Castrol Transmax Z will do the trick. I have a B and M Tansmission cooler so I needed two bottles of the Transmax Z...Ouch, $76 per 4ltr bottle.

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Fit the filter into the bottom of the transmission (sorry no pic) pay attention when you take it out at the start. Its pretty easy, you know, round peg round hole type stuff LOL. Now fill the pan with about 2 ltrs of oil and care fully fit the pan to the transmission.

Fit 2 bolts to the pan, one either side, this will hang onto the pan as you place the bolts back on. Once all the bolts were on finger tight I tightened them in a opposite type patten EG Left side of the pan then Right and so on.

DONT tighten the bolts to tight as you will deform the gasket and this could cause an oil leak.

Now fill your transmission with the required abount of ATF.

[BOMI]

Now that you have every thing back together and taken the car off the jack its time to go over all the parts you have just worked on and make sure they are;

1. Secure.
2. In the correct place.
3. There are no tools left anywhere on the car.


Now take your car for a 20 minute drive then park on a flat and level surface and leave your car in P and running, now check the Transmisson fluid level using the factory transmission dipstick. Add ATF fluid where needed.


Hope this all made some sense :D


Troy :cheers:

[SSUte01]

Not being an Auto guy, it all seems to make sense. Logical and detailed enough for even me to have a crack.

MY only criticism and it is pretty petty at best is a few minor typos and/or spelling errors. You asked for feedback.:)

As to the content, nice job, as I said having never done anything like it before I cannot give any technical advice, but it *seems* spot on.

Luke :)

[BOMI]

Orrrrr man and I re read it all about 3 times fixing mistakes as I found em. Well I guess thats why I posted it in here first.

Cheers Luke.


Troy :)

[RedVYIISS]

Bomi,

Before you go for your 20 minute drive you better refill the transmission!

[BOMI]

:lmao:

Good pick up Al :thumbs:

Troy :)

[35R]

Nice contribution Troy; that is what TC is all about. People having a go and sharing their experience. Good stuff.

[JezzaB]

Well done mate, top job and great pics!

Jez

[firebug]

Another great writeup Troy. I am looking to do a pan plug install while my new tranny is still on the floor. Did you end up buying it from here? http://www.americanautos.com.au/

Also, after a ring around I got my Transmax Z from Autobarn for $69 per 4L retail. If you are driving past Maitland's shop, ask about a further 10% discount storewide...

[DaveHAT]

Nice ... :bravo:

[firebug]

Question: Having NFI what the 4L60e looks like under the pan, how close does the new plug go to touching anything above it? The pan looks pretty deep, but just a thought.

My experience with autos is limited pulling them out of cars, replacing them, and with careful placement, they will fit into a wizz bin for diposal... :hide:

[lautray]

Great work Troy :thumbs:

[NickS]

Nice write up Bomi ... look forward to your "how to install a stally" thread.

:stick:

Go on, you know you want to.

[lautray]

Nice write up Bomi ... look forward to your "how to install a stally" thread.

:stick:

Go on, you know you want to.

Nope, the next one is an A4 to M6 conversion so he can go circuit racing properly :stick: :stick: :stick: .

[BOMI]

Question: Having NFI what the 4L60e looks like under the pan, how close does the new plug go to touching anything above it? The pan looks pretty deep, but just a thought.

My experience with autos is limited pulling them out of cars, replacing them, and with careful placement, they will fit into a wizz bin for diposal... :hide:


Hey Bill, do you mean on the exterior of the pan or inside the pan? On the exterior its sticks out about 5 mm inside it doesnt "seem" to be rubbing or touching anything :yep:


ERIK I hear ya man, would love to do that one or at least get it done buy someone who knows what they are doing. I would actualy do the box myself but its all the clutch bits and pieces inside the car that would stuff me around.


NICK Stally, hmmmm soon enough but not by this little black duck :lmao:

And thanks for your kudos fellas :cheers:


Troy :)

[BOMI]

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Remember these two pics?

Well I lost 2nd gear today :( :( :( :( :( :( :(


Troy :beer:

[RedVYIISS]

Bugger!!! $$$$$$$'s:( :cry: :doh:

[firebug]

Remember these two pics?

Well I lost 2nd gear today :( :( :( :( :( :( :(


Troy :beer:

Oh nooo... Sorry to hear that Troy. Welcome to the three speed club.

Mine 2nd was on its way too so I changed it for a new one yesterday... Sonny recommended I take it to someone and have them do it as it is a sh!t of a job, once again he was right. I had a retired experienced auto tranny mechanic with me though. We both are very sore and have bark missing everywhere, but I still enjoyed spinning the spanners again, it had been a while...

[VooDoo]

ooops.

I just picked up my spare gearbox on Thursday from Sydney, otherwise i would have lent it to you.

[Kyle]

Time for an M6 troy :D

[DaveHAT]

Oh nooo... Sorry to hear that Troy. Welcome to the three speed club.

Mine 2nd was on its way too so I changed it for a new one yesterday... Sonny recommended I take it to someone and have them do it as it is a sh!t of a job, once again he was right. I had a retired experienced auto tranny mechanic with me though. We both are very sore and have bark missing everywhere, but I still enjoyed spinning the spanners again, it had been a while...

Well done Bill ... HOWEVER

:toetap: in the time honoured TrackChat tradition, WHERE ARE THE "HOW TO" photos and thread? :lol: :confused:

[firebug]

Well done Bill ... HOWEVER

:toetap: in the time honoured TrackChat tradition, WHERE ARE THE "HOW TO" photos and thread? :lol: :confused:

All right all right it's comin it's comin... In the final stages of the pipeline I promise... :lol:

[highlander_69r]

well done Bomi,

if ya got the $ to spare get the auto built to handle some ponies, ya know you will end up doing more mods......and while its out a stallie would sent u into the 11s ;)

ill wait till the new tranny needs its first service, then ill add a plug :yep: , if only holden had done it from the factory