Mr.Snakey

ok. I've read the new thread in the archive, made me wonder what is the right fluid for a 1st gen auto transmission? And also im planning on changing my fluid very soon and im wondering if there is any thread or link that will tell me the correct method of doing it. I have a pretty good idea of how, but I wouldnt want to be sorry if I missed something, better safe than sorry right? Help is appreciated. Thanks.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Unless you've done this before, it's not as easy as a manual. There is no drain plug. The bottom pan is removed to drain the tranny, then the coverter needs drained too. You can also take it to some lube shops that can flush and change the fluid with a machine that hooks up to the cooling lines. No mess, no fuss, drop 70-80 bucks.

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

We know that the fluid type question does not need to be answered. The archived thread is the "Gospel".


As far as changing the fluid goes. It can be a messy situation unless you remove the pan carefully. Recommend that you slowly loosen all the bolts alittle at a time.
Then you will eventually allow only either the front or rear of the pan down enough to start allowing the fluid to drain without taking the pan off. Once you have enough fluid out then you can remove all of the bolts and drop the pan. The filter replacement will be self evident when you get the pan off.

Remember to only add about 2-3 quarts initally after you put everything back together. Then check and add slowly until the correct level is reached.

To protect the trans from heat internally I recommend that you pick up a bottle of lube guards automatic trans protectant. Put this in before you get the trans full.

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

As far as flushing goes. I do not recommend it on this older transmissions unless you have serviced the tranny every 15-30k since the beginning. What can and does happen on a trans that has not had regular service is that there is too much internal build up of material in the trans. After flushing this cleans everything out. The problem is that sometimes that material was the only thing keeping the trans operating properly. I have seen this on a variety of transmissions including the one on my Dodge truck that I bought from someone else. They did not do regular changes. After the flush the trans lasted a week.

If you want to get all of the fluid out Lube guard also make a aerosol flush can. It gives you very detailed instructions on how to expel all of the fluid.

Mr.Snakey

Thanks alot guys, this was a big help to me. So, loosen the pan, drain, remove pan, replace filter, put pan back on with new seal, add lube gaurds ATF, then add the rest of the fluid at the right measured mark? is this all correct?

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Yes. Also make sure you clean the pan out.

Mr.Snakey

Alright Thanks again!

Bigmotoxer

Wait!!!!

Bigmotoxer

Drop the pan as Doc suggested w/front bolts just lossened w/rear removed, hold weight of pan w/hand until fluid drains out enought onot drench yourself,ect.
BUT! If you're going to change the filter beware! Unless you want to have to drop the whole valve body.
There are quite a few little bolts holding the filter up to the valve-body but there is one long *** bolt that goes up through the whole entire valve-body w/a nut on top...you take this bolt out and you are screwed unless you either drop the valve body or do what I did w/a retractable/antenna-type magnet. If I had to do it over I would loosen the long bolt just enough to cut the hole in the filter to slip off of the bolt head (w/dikes or dremel or whatever). Otherwise you'll put in new filter w/all the little bolts and when you put in the long bolt there wont be anything there to screw it to because the nut at the top of the valve body is a loose nut..not attached or tacked or anything.
I had to take the antenna magnet(w/a strong earth magnet type) and bend it close to the end(kinking it almost to the point of breaking it and then bending it again about 2 inches lower to make a 90 degree, then reach that antenna up in and above the valve-body to find the nut....when you find it pull it out then place it on the magnet so that you can carefully place it up top of the valve body again ready to accept/thread the bolt in. You'll have to take a flash-light and look up in the long bolt hole to tell when you have the nut postioned right, once you do you'll havew to carefully and steadily hold it as you barely thread the long bolt in(it took me a few attempts but then it caught and I torqued it down)...I recommend loosening the long bolt just enought to try and cut a gap for the filter to slid off of it.
THe fool that engineered this is an idiot!

Mr.Snakey

You sir are a life saver, without that info i would have been in there and gotten myself into a mess. But also it seems very confusing. I'll read it about a dozen more times until i actually go at it. Once i actually see it, it will all probly make much more sence to me, Thanks!

Bigmotoxer

It's really simple... when get the pan off, look at ALL those bolts holding on the filter and if I remember correctly one bolt head looks a little different(it is closer to the front of the car and on the driver side of the filter...that's the "bolt from HELL!"
you'll only be able to loosen it a 1/4" or so, so that it doesn't loose it's grip on the nut up above valve body...get a dremel, cut a "V" in the filters edge(you may not be able to dremel the entire filter flange because of the bolt head in the way but you can cut/score it enough to then take a pair of small needle nose pliers and wiggle the piece out) so after all the other small bolts are out the filter can slide off of the long bolt head(watch what angle you hold your dremel so you don't contaminate the valve body w/metallic flakes...then modify your new filter just like that...slide that on first then replace all the short bolts.
If you do happen to accidentally remove the long bolt don't freak all is not lost because you can do the retractable/extendable magnet antenna thing(autoZone has them) that I mentioned before.
Goodluck

Rogue_Wulff

B-MX'R, That's a helluva tip. I've never touched an auto tranny in one of these cars, yet. But when I do, I'll remember this. Thanks!

Bigmotoxer

Thanks brother, I know alot about a little, but wish I knew a little about alot

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Don't diminish the knowledge you do have. That's one helluva time/headache saving tip. That's what makes this forum the strong and valuable a resource that it is. We have some members that have very specific specialized areas of expertise, then we have the Jack-of-all-Trades, like myself, who know a little about a lot and tend to be dangerous, lol.

I'm learning new things about rotarys every day, here on the forum, out in the shop and from other sources. Take heart, I'm not neccissarily (sp) smarter than many on the forum. Much of my knowledge base comes from working on cars longer than 1/2 of the forum members has been on planet. Sad part in my case is I'm off-planet most of the time, but hey, that's what sex/drugsd/rock&roll from the 60's will do to a person.

Bigmotoxer

Well you've helped me out a ton that's for sure Trochoid...but on the other hand if you're from the 60's you should know how to spell "drugs"
My time was the 80's...And being a drummer I lived the ac/dc, motleycrue era and there were drugs here and there but the SEX? Man I was like bangbangbangbangbangbang all the time...I miss high school