Transmission fluid change question

[ramonesfreak]

I have a number of projects planned for this winter with the car on jack stands

One of them is changing trans fluid

I know it is suggested that you need to drive car and warm it up before changing

This will not be possible

Would you advise I not do it cold?

I’m assuming starting the car and letting it run will not be adequate to heat it up but if it is, I could do that

[RedCoupe]

The main reason for warming the oil prior to changing is that it flows so much better, and contaminates will hopefully be mixed up and drain out with the oil. If you have to drain it cold, you have to. At least it's summer and the ambient temperature is warm enough that it still should flow okay. Just starting and running the engine won't do much. If the wheels are off the ground and you could run it in gear for a bit, it would at least mix everything up. It won't warm it very much but it would perhaps stir up any contaminates.

[RedCoupe]

I just noticed that you plan on doing the transmission oil change during the winter. How warm is your garage?

[David Inc.]

I would go ahead and have it done now by a shop. It's a quick service in an SC and you won't have to worry about spilling trans oil in your garage (because this will happen no matter how careful you think you're being!).

[ramonesfreak]

Very very cold but I was planning on buying a propane heater so I could do my projects...sunroof seal, throttle linkage bushings, etc... probably get it up to 75 degrees

I think I’ll figure a way to do this the right away.

Problem is I won’t have the jack or jack stands for a few months and by then I could be buried in snow here

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by David Inc.

I would go ahead and have it done now by a shop. It's a quick service in an SC and you won't have to worry about spilling trans oil in your garage (because this will happen no matter how careful you think you're being!).

I had my shop do it last time...probably 8k miles ago...which was actually many years ago. So, it could use a change. Also was never happy with the swepco and wanna try Kendal

Reason I want to do it myself is, I wanna take a look at the drain plug and oil that is drained. I have no reason to worry but, if I can do the work then I want to do the work and to learn the true health of my car and see with my own eyes....in fairness to my shop, they are cool about letting me back there to look at stuff while it’s on a lift etc.

Also my Indy shop is not open on weekends which means I gotta take time outta work and to me it’s not worth it when this is a job I can do at home

So I’ll plan on doing this with the gear oil hot

Thanks

[David Inc.]

Those are all the best reasons for not taking it to a shop. I dig it.

[RedCoupe]

And, if you change the oil yourself, you can make sure you get enough oil in. A while back, someone on this forum recommended when you fill a 915 transmission that you fill it up to the fill hole then wait a half hour or so. Then top it up. I have heard that 5th gear is what gets oil starved if the level is low, so I have always followed this advice when I have changed the oil in my 86.

[GH85Carrera]

And always remove the fill hole first, before you drain the fluid. You don't want to discover you can't put any in because the fill hole is messed up and you can't get the fill hole open to add oil.

[ramonesfreak]

Yup. Will do. Thanks

[Geronimo]

Ramones, love your avatar, I painted that on an outdoor fridge when I was a kid. lol

[RWebb]

A salesman for a smaller oil co. on here said he tested engine oil draining both warm & cold and there was no difference in the volumes drained. He never explained his exact methodology, but he had an MS in Chemistry.

Gear oil is more viscous than engine oil tho.

So...

I'd say go ahead. Put an electric heating pad under there, wrapped around & touching the trans (rubber straps) for a day or two first, if worried.

Or just shorten the next change interval.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by Geronimo

Ramones, love your avatar, I painted that on an outdoor fridge when I was a kid. lol

Powell & peralta. Have the sticker along with too many others on my side widows

[ramonesfreak]

Ok more food for thought. Thanks

Originally Posted by RWebb

A salesman for a smaller oil co. on here said he tested engine oil draining both warm & cold and there was no difference in the volumes drained. He never explained his exact methodology, but he had an MS in Chemistry.

Gear oil is more viscous than engine oil tho.

So...

I'd say go ahead. Put an electric heating pad under there, wrapped around & touching the trans (rubber straps) for a day or two first, if worried.

Or just shorten the next change interval.

[RWebb]

why would a Ramones freak think?

act!

[tcar]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

And always remove the fill hole first, before you drain the fluid. You don't want to discover you can't put any in because the fill hole is messed up and you can't get the fill hole open to add oil.

This is crucial!

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by RWebb

why would a Ramones freak think?

act!

Your right, I totally forgot I got a L-O-B-O-T-O-M-Y after sniffin glue!!!


I’m gonna take action and not be a pinhead no more

🤪

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by RedCoupe

And, if you change the oil yourself, you can make sure you get enough oil in. A while back, someone on this forum recommended when you fill a 915 transmission that you fill it up to the fill hole then wait a half hour or so. Then top it up. I have heard that 5th gear is what gets oil starved if the level is low, so I have always followed this advice when I have changed the oil in my 86.

Nice tip. Never saw that recommendation and will use it

[RWebb]

Wanna be sedated?

after the oil fill of course