85 300D Transmission Fluid change

[rmmagow]

I am going to change the fluid in my 190000 mile car. It was maintained well by the previous owners. I plan to use a DEXIII fluid but not synthetic. I have the pan gasket and a filter and may also try to drain the TC but that will depend on how long it takes for me to get organized. I'm going to put the car on ramps, is that OK? If I end up not doing the TC this time, I'll do another change in the fall. No transmission problems and I want it to stay that way. Car is driven at highway speeds, 100 miles a day. I'll be OK right? I think it's Vavoline I'm going to use, 2 cases being delivered today I hope. One for this car, one for my old volvo.

[rs899]

Sounds right. Do the TC. It's not that hard to spin it around and jam a 5mm allen wrench in there and get it all out. In fact, I would even say it's pointless to change the fluid and not do the TC.

[thatguy]

Originally Posted by rs899

Sounds right. Do the TC. It's not that hard to spin it around and jam a 5mm allen wrench in there and get it all out. In fact, I would even say it's pointless to change the fluid and not do the TC.

Well I wouldn't say it's pointless, he's still replacing much of the old fluid and installing a new filter, but I agree that doing the converter is worth the extra 5-10mins of effort.

[rmmagow]

Originally Posted by thatguy

Well I wouldn't say it's pointless, he's still replacing much of the old fluid and installing a new filter, but I agree that doing the converter is worth the extra 5-10mins of effort.

I'm sure I'll agree with both of you when I get in there. I'm going to see if I can do it in the garage to minimize the wind possibility. I know it going to be messy the first time around but I want my old beast to last a lot longer. New GPs and a valve adjustment made an amazing difference to this car, tranny and rear end fluid will help it live to 300K + as long as I stay out of the salt and snow. Hell, I turned the motor at the power steering pump for the valves and it was easy. I can probably get my wife to wrench it for me while I watch for the fitting. Got a 50 lb bag of cat litter in the garage too, just in case :-)

[thatguy]

Originally Posted by rmmagow

I'm sure I'll agree with both of you when I get in there. I'm going to see if I can do it in the garage to minimize the wind possibility. I know it going to be messy the first time around but I want my old beast to last a lot longer. New GPs and a valve adjustment made an amazing difference to this car, tranny and rear end fluid will help it live to 300K + as long as I stay out of the salt and snow. Hell, I turned the motor at the power steering pump for the valves and it was easy. I can probably get my wife to wrench it for me while I watch for the fitting. Got a 50 lb bag of cat litter in the garage too, just in case :-)

You'll probably need it. No matter how many times I've done the transmission on my 617 or 606, I always seem to spill some how. Sometimes I miss the pan, or I bump it and dump out a quart or two of old ATF on my garage floor, and ATF likes to spread out with paper towels rather than soak up.

[rs899]

You should be able to reach the crank pulley from underneath using a deep 27mm socket on a ratchet and still see the TC plug. No need to bother your wife ...for that

[sokoloff]

You can also lever the converter around easliy using a large screwdriver while you are watching for the plug.

[Brian Carlton]

Rich,

You ought to get together with David (Shertex) and do both vehicles together. He needs to do the fluid on the SDL (as I have neglected it for far too long).

[charmalu]

I have one of these mixing tubs from Home Depot that works pretty good.

Medium Mixing Tub-887101A at The Home Depot

this one is a 10 gal capacity, and they have a larger 20 gal one. I drain the ATF into a large plastic drain pan, then slip this one under, and remove the pan, then the trans can drip into the mixing pan as they do for ever.

works for me and then I don`t have any spils.

This works good when draining the coolant from the block, catches most of it.

Charlie

[charmalu]

These drain pans work good also,are large and hold 5 gallons. have a handle and pour spout, less chance of spiling. I have 3 of these.

Blitz/5 gal. oil drain pan (11845) | Oil Drain Pan | AutoZone.com_

Charlie