large_x7

iTrader: (1)

Well, I done f'd up. Since the transmission is out while I'm changing the clutch, I decided to go ahead and change transmission fluid. So I put the trans up on sawhorses, drain it, and...almost no fluid came out. Like, maybe a quart. Which definitely didn't seem right. So I went back to my receipts folder, and, 20 minutes later, found my receipt for the last time I changed the trans fluid...in 2003. I'm not so nervous about the time frame, since I only average about 1000-1200 miles a year, but the bad part is the reason only a quart of gear oil came our was because my younger, dumber self only put a quart of gear oil in it!
Here's the thing, though: I've never had a problem with anything grinding, transmission has never made noise, and other than the 1-2 shift at cold, has always been pretty smooth. And when I pulled the drain plug out, there were no metal shavings on the plug magnet or in the fluid, either. Did I dodge a major bullet? Is there anything I can check on the transmission before putting it back in the car to confirm it's "OK" (without, you know, rebuilding it)? Please tell me I don't need to rebuild my transmission; I'm hoping to breathe a sigh of relief!

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Well, that wasn't good, but if the transmission is quiet and is shifting well I think you may have dodged a bullet. Fill it up properly with gear oil and run it.

With the transmission totally level, fill until gear oil starts to come out of the fill hole. Then you put a small amount in the shifter turret. That's it.

The round fill plugs need teflon tape on the threads to seal up, clean up the plug and re-wrap in teflon tape for a good seal. The bottom drain just has a crush washer.

I wouldn't go off the deep end about the transmission, just run it and keep and ear out for weird sounds or whatever. Worst case if you do have to do something the transmission isn't hard or time consuming to remove.

Dale

large_x7

iTrader: (1)

Thanks that what I was thinking, too. I had a moment of clarity this morning when I was filling the transmission, and that was when I removed it from the car, I spilled a good bit of fluid out of the rear of the transmission, which probably made the level seem worse than it was. Like I said, it doesn't make noise or grind, so I'm crossing my fingers it's good to go. It's all filled up and ready to go back in after I get the clutch back on.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

If you have the transmission filled out of the car, it will leak big time from the back where the driveshaft goes in. You'll have a REALLY hard time getting it in the car without spilling. On a lift it's not so bad but doing it on jack stands that's near impossible.

You may be ahead of the game just draining the gear oil into a clean container, getting the trans installed, then filling it when it's in the car with the driveshaft in.

Sorry, didn't think about that in my initial post. I have a cut-off driveshaft "head" I got off a used JDM engine I bought ages ago that I've used to block off the back of a full trans. I can't think of an easy way to block that hole off - it's probably just easier to drain and re-fill.

Dale

large_x7

iTrader: (1)

Oh, that's a bummer...I do a have a transmission jack, but since I was by myself when I took it out, I did spill it all over the place. I bought a 1.5" rubber stopper that fit in the hole pretty good, but you're thinking that it's going to just pop off? If so, I guess I'll drain it back out to save for later. I got it all measured out and everything, but that's an expensive mistake to make!

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

I’m not sure how your rubber stopper may have played with the rear transmission seal. You might consider a new one. They’re not expensive and it’s simple to change before the PPF and everything else is installed.
And I agree, just fill it up after installation making sure the car’s level