SLROC Forum

Hi,

I decided to change to oil and filter in the auto box a few months ago. I heard you don't get all the oil out when you drain the sump. The book says it holds 9 litres.
I drained the sump and got about 4 litres out. I then refilled it. The plan was to do this a couple of times to give the box a flush with clean oil.
The change up to 4th has been sluggish over the last few weeks. I drained the sump again yesterday and only got approx 2.5litres out this time. I filled it until it was overflowing from the filler (on flat ground)
The change to 4th is really sluggish now. Tonight i was doing 70 on the motorway, in third. My fuel consumption is killing me.
I haven't changed the filter yet.
I don't really know how much oil is in the box. How do you fully drain it.
Is the oil level critical to gear changes.

Any ideas.


cheers

Geoff

THe oil level is very critical.
(you cant really overfill tho can you, when filling up to the fill hole?)

It does sound like you have more of a problem than the fluid.
Is the cable adjustment OK,
no slip at the Conection or Cable outer problems ??

You cant fully empty the ATF because of whats contained in the torque converter.
Usually you just do 2 ATF changes about 100 miles apart to replace/freshen the fluid.

There is the chance you have now up the particles that can now be blocking the valve block.
Thats one possibilty.
Looks like you will at least need to take the pan off & do the strainer.

There's an 'American How too' Youtube film,
with the guy running the Autobox with the ATF going in & out & doing a running Transmission Fluid Change.
Watched it a few Months ago when i noticed it on Difflock Forum in the Jeep section.
Not something i would be attempting tho.

george
EDIT PS, is it Dexron 111 that you have used ?

Yes, as georgew says, you do an oil change twice on an auto, with about 100 miles in between.

ATF is a detergent oil, so you often find that if the box hasn't had a change for over 20k then changing the oil can cause issues.  The ZF boxes have 2 filters, the one you change at the bottom of the valve block and a filter in the govenor (which is a gauze filter I think).  This filter is not part of the service kit and is a specialist fit I think.  You should really change the filter twice, but obiously this makes it an expensive pastime.  The filter should really be changed at the first oil change if you are only doing it once.

The level is critical in an auto box, over filling can cause serious issues (obviously this is hard  to do if you have a ZF box which doesn't have a dipstick tube like in a D2!).  Level should be checked by refilling the box with the slightly less than the amount of oil you removed, start the vehicle, cycle through the forward gears put back to neutral and check again (after stopping the engine).  This allows the torque convertor to fill up.  Fill up to filler hole again (unless your box has a disptick!) and run through the gears (with engine running) again.  Re-check level (in neutral) and job done.

Have a read on Dave Ashcrofts site - there is a good FAQ on there (or there used to be anyway).

Dexron II for a D2 isn't it. . .  (too cold for me to check the workshop computer!)

thanks, it's had two changes now. Its dexron 111 i'm using. I'll check the level again at the weekend

cheers

Geoff

you say you got less oil out the second time is it disappearing? maybe worth checking its not going into the transfer box or bellhousing

Hi

Just checked the level, engine running and moving up and down the gears. I got less than 100ml of oil from the filler plug. The oil is still red and clear.
Went for a test drive and it's still the same. Very reluctant to change into 4th.
Looks like i've got a bigger problem.
Any ideas

cheers

Geoff

Dad, have you got a spare 110 kicking about, i'll wash it