Best Way to Add Transaxle Fluid?

[l_turn9]

In the past I have use 3/8" IS clear plastic tubing to replace or top off the gearbox fluid in my 74 911 (Base) and I usually end up getting some on the floor.

I was wondering if anyone out there has a more creative, better way to do this?


Larry

[RennSC]

On Amazon they sell a massive syringe with a plastic tube that will reach in to the fill port. I found this method to be the easiest way to fill the transmission. Just google Transmission oil syringe.

[GH85Carrera]

I have a little hand operated fluid pump like a overgrown soap dispenser pump. It goes down inside the bottle of fluid. Just push and the fluid is pumped up to the transmission. The pump even came with a clip that holds the hose in place in the transmission.

I still make a mess on the floor. I just lay out newspapers. Newspapers are getting hard to find now, so I may buy more of the steel drip pans sold at parts stores.

[jjeffries]

I remember seeing something on here pretty ingenious/logical/dead-simple, a two-man process which used a tube long enough to reach to, say, from the tranny up to the top of the rear fender level (i.e., higher than filling hole on the gearbox) with a suitable funnel inserted.

The first guy slowly adds the gear oil to the funnel, while the second guy was on the garage floor holding the tube into the filling hole and ready to pull it out the second oil starts to overflow, with a clean jar ready to switch the tube into, to catch the balance of the oil still coming down the tube.

I hope that description paints an accurate picture.

I have done mine a few times, but always by myself, first pouring the gear oil into a gallon container (washed and dried windshield-washer jug in my case), and a generic hand pump, the kind you push up and down on. This requires many pumps and will likely cramp up your arm and shoulder. It kinda sucks but isn't the worst thing you'll ever do. Using this kind of pump with individual quart bottles is much more likely to end in swearing ... I tried, it was stupid, I spilled oil.

If it's still cold down in Chester VA, warming up the quart bottles of gear oil in a bucket of hot water can make it flow a little easier.

Others will likely have some better suggestions. John

[yelcab1]

I run a long hose from the side of the car over the top of the wheel well into the fill hole. Put a funnel on it at the end, and pour in 4L of gear lube. Unless there is no other way, I avoid the hand pump deal.

[Noah930]

I wouldn't say this is the best way to do it, but I work alone and it's how I did it last time, and I didn't spill a drop.

[Quickstep192]

I used one of these.

It’s slow which is annoying at the beginning, but good at the end (less overflow)

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--lower-unit-quart-pump--3704673?recordNum=11

[Locker537]

I use the silly little hand pump. It's a good workout while laying in awkward positions.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Noah930

I wouldn't say this is the best way to do it, but I work alone and it's how I did it last time, and I didn't spill a drop.

Bruce Anderson mentioned hanging the funnel on the door handle. Same setup as yours.

[Bill Douglas]

I used the same method as Noah, except I used a camera tripod which worked fine. It's just a case of being patient and maybe warming the oil first.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

compressed air into a bottle/jug of fluid with a line going into the trans. No, pic sorry, but easy to make.

[l_turn9]

Thanks guys! All excellent suggestions! Exactly what I needed. I had used the long tube method in the past and while it certainly works I found it a little messy, but that may have been the operator. ;-)
Larry

[911pcars]

Harbor Freight liquid hand pump, <$10. Makes one-man filling pretty simple. Lube loss is very minimal, but YMMV. Remember - cardboard is a Porsche owners best friend.

Not sure the pump seals are compatible with all lubes. More $$ = better seals.

Sherwood

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Harbor Freight liquid hand pump, <$10. Makes one-man filling pretty simple. Lube loss is very minimal, but YMMV. Remember - cardboard is a Porsche owners best friend.

Not sure the pump seals are compatible with all lubes. More $$ = better seals.

Sherwood

^^^^ What he said. Have used the pump he mentioned $6.99, see below, works
perfect!! Have used it with many liquids, gear lube, gas and more. Great cheap pump.
Search HF for "transfer pump".

[sugarwood]

This is a great fluid extractor suction gun.
Much better than the leaky crappy metal ones
https://www.amazon.com/Mityvac-MVA6851-Automotive-Accessories/dp/B00MPQ8RBG/

[autojack]

I used this: https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/SL4344.htm?pn=SL4344&SVSVSI=0819&DID=45043

Simple and effective. Screws into the fluid bottle. One pump moves 1oz of fluid, so you can do the math to figure out how many pumps you need to fill your gearbox. It has a clip that holds the business end inside the filler opening. I've used this on two cars and not spilled more than a drop or two. Oh, and ignore my review of it where I said it wouldn't pump from the bottom of the bottle. I realized I didn't read the directions right, there are attachments to use for different sized fluid jugs. I was supposed to use one of those

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by autojack

I used this: https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/SL4344.htm?pn=SL4344&SVSVSI=0819&DID=45043

Simple and effective. Screws into the fluid bottle. One pump moves 1oz of fluid, so you can do the math to figure out how many pumps you need to fill your gearbox. It has a clip that holds the business end inside the filler opening. I've used this on two cars and not spilled more than a drop or two. Oh, and ignore my review of it where I said it wouldn't pump from the bottom of the bottle. I realized I didn't read the directions right, there are attachments to use for different sized fluid jugs. I was supposed to use one of those

1 oz/pump sounds like arm, finger and hand fatigue, then muscle cramps (3 liters = 100 pumps. Wouldn't a shampoo bottle dispenser be equivalent?

Sherwood

[safe]

Hose and funnel, doesn't get more simple. I tape the hose to something so it can't fall out of the transmission, I also put the hose just inside the hole, if you put it to far in it hits something (a gear probably) and it doesn't flow as well.

[l_turn9]

One thing I forgot about until just now is a Ketchup Dispenser (new) like those used in restaurants. It obviously is now large enough to refill a empty gearbox, but to top one off it should work. When I asked the question I was trying to top off the gearbox after replacing a shift shaft seal. It had been leaking for a while and the gearbox was likely a Pint low.

Thanks again for all the great suggestions!

[burgermeister]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

compressed air into a bottle/jug of fluid with a line going into the trans. No, pic sorry, but easy to make.

+1
1/2" hardware store clear tubing works great. Drill a 1/2" hole in the lid, and something suitable right next to it for whatever air blow gun you've got to provide pressure. I use the jug the oil comes in. Just set the pressure to something < 10 psi... if the jug explodes it will be messy.