Transmission Servicing - Filter and Fluid Chgs

[Lancer]

I place little reliance on the lifetime fill concept! I've done about 55k miles and I'm sure it's never been done by the dealer (if it's not on the service schedule and it hasn't needed repair there'd be no indication to do so) so I suspect that a change of fluid/filters could be beneficial. Is the pan alloy or steel?

Oh and by the way, how long did it take? I'll have to get the skid plate off first.

[glend]

The pan is thin pressed steel. B&M (and some others) make a universal pan drain plug which is a good idea to make all future drains less messy. Stay away from the cast alloy pans that are available from US aftermarket suppliers as they are usually deeper than the stock pan and will (maybe) prevent the use of the transmission skid plate.

As to how long, it get's quicker as you do it the second time, but I'd allow at least half a day the first time because you dont' want to rush and miss anything. The thing that seems to take the most time is the cleaning out of the pan (removal of the old deposits and flushing it with kero or turps. You also need to remove all (or any) of the old RTV gasket material on the lip of the transmission and pan so that it is clean and not oil covered - so that the new RTV adheres to it properly and thus doesn't leak.

[Lancer]

Thanks - a job for the summer I think, its -2 outside right now. The B&M is a good idea - I'll get one of those.

[Pipeliner]

Originally Posted by Lancer

its -2 outside right now.

It'd better warm up considerably in the next few weeks or Liz and I are not going to enjoy our holiday as much as we want to!

Takes me back to Poland in 1969 when we had to remove the engine from a Transit van to put the starter ring back on the flywheel - all done outdoors on days when the max temp was -10!

[Lancer]

And I thought you Aussies were supposed to be tough!

[Lancer]

Ok - got almost everything ordered for the day we get warm (for here) and dry weather Having difficulty sourcing the anti - drainback valve - do I NEED to change it?

I note as well that some places that sell the flat filter include a gasket for the pan - any point or is RTV fine?

We've just had more snow by the way - it's minus 3 outside (I live just outside London) and apparently we are having the coldest March since 1962. Spring is DEFINITELY late this year.

[glend]

Unless you have problems with the transmission not engaging first thing each morning then you could skip changing the anti-drainback valve. And RTV works just fine for me but use the good stuff that is both high temperature and sensor safe.