Tranny change tip
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8
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From: Redding, CA
Tranny fluid/filter change tip
Ok, I have an E40D in my 97 Expy. Yesterday I changed the fluid, filter and installed a B&M drain plug kit.
I wasn't looking forward to my tranny fluid/filter change because I didn't have a drain plug in the pan... YET. I drained the torque converter first. There was proably 5 or 6 quarts in there! I REALLY didn't want to drop the pan and spill the other 6 quarts of super hot fluid all over me and my garage floor (all said and done there probably would've only been a half quart in the catch pan
). So... instead of doing that, I scoped out the location where I was going to install the drain plug (centered in the rear side of the sump) and made a mark. I put a stop on a 1/8" drill bit for a max length of 1/4", wrapped my cordless drill in a plastic grocery bag, got the catch pan underneath and then drilled the hole. I got a nice stead stream of fluid in my catch pan. After about 30 minutes I went out there and proceeded to take the pan off, cleaned it, installed the plug kit, change filter, etc., etc..
Yeah, you're right... I'm lazy. BUT, my garage floor is spotless and I didn't have to go to the hospital with nth degree burns over my entire body!
Warning: If you plan on doing this, remember to use a stop on your drill bit so that you won't go too deep into the pan! Also, you really don't need a lot of pressure on the bit. I find when drilling on metal, that light pressure applied in short bursts does a nice job... and it doesn't tear apart your bit either.
Mike
I wasn't looking forward to my tranny fluid/filter change because I didn't have a drain plug in the pan... YET. I drained the torque converter first. There was proably 5 or 6 quarts in there! I REALLY didn't want to drop the pan and spill the other 6 quarts of super hot fluid all over me and my garage floor (all said and done there probably would've only been a half quart in the catch pan
). So... instead of doing that, I scoped out the location where I was going to install the drain plug (centered in the rear side of the sump) and made a mark. I put a stop on a 1/8" drill bit for a max length of 1/4", wrapped my cordless drill in a plastic grocery bag, got the catch pan underneath and then drilled the hole. I got a nice stead stream of fluid in my catch pan. After about 30 minutes I went out there and proceeded to take the pan off, cleaned it, installed the plug kit, change filter, etc., etc..Yeah, you're right... I'm lazy. BUT, my garage floor is spotless and I didn't have to go to the hospital with nth degree burns over my entire body!
Warning: If you plan on doing this, remember to use a stop on your drill bit so that you won't go too deep into the pan! Also, you really don't need a lot of pressure on the bit. I find when drilling on metal, that light pressure applied in short bursts does a nice job... and it doesn't tear apart your bit either.
Mike
Last edited by mwpierson; Jul 20, 2003 at 01:10 PM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 29
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
This is what I did to prevent spilling transmission fluid all over the place.
After draining the converter, I put the nut back on and started the truck for about 30 seconds. This will transfer most of the oil in the pan to the converter, but then of course you have to drain the converter again. I never spilled a drop of oil when taking the pan off.
After draining the converter, I put the nut back on and started the truck for about 30 seconds. This will transfer most of the oil in the pan to the converter, but then of course you have to drain the converter again. I never spilled a drop of oil when taking the pan off.
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Redding, CA
I considered that approach too but didn't do it because I was very concerned about running the tranny dry. If you knew the precise amount of time it took to fill the TC again without damaging the tranny it would be ok.
Mike
Mike