Non-messy way to replacing transmission fluid

[archtech]

Just drained out my transmission fluid... decent clean greenish blue stuff came out.... magnetic plug only has fine metal dust...no chunks... and filled it up with the blue Swepco stuff.... not a single drop hit the floor until I was cleaning up the pump.

I've read a whole bunch of ways to get the fluid in, but this worked so well I had to write about it.

Basically keep drain pan under the drain / fill holes at all times. I warmed up the Swepco bottle in hot water. I used an evacuation / dispensing pump that I got at Harbor Freight. Its basically a giant syringe with a plastic tube and aluminum "L" end tube. It holds 1 quart of fluid. Suck it into the syringe, then suck a little air so it won't drip out when u take it out of the fluid bottle and stick it into the fill hole. About three transfers later, a few drips start coming out of the hole and into the pan... put the plug in... wipe up the fluid on the tranny.. then youre done! No mess!

I was ready with a whole wad of paper and didnt need it!

[DasBoot]

Less-messier method:

1) Obtain a large, thick-walled plastic juice bottle (typically a bottle that grape juice comes in). Don't skimp on the bottle! If you use too thin-walled bottle, it might split/explode and shower you, car, garage, etc. with fluid.

2) Empty grape juice.

3) Punch two holes in the cap of the bottle. One of the holes should match the O.D. of 3/8" clear tubing. You'll need about 3' (or more) of 3/8" clear tubing.

4) Fill bottle with favorite trans fluid. Install cap.

5) Insert one end of hose into bottle, through hole in cap. Hose should just touch the bottom of the bottle (this will resemble a brake-bleeder set-up). Insert other end of hose into transmission fill hole.

6) Adjust your air compressor to about 20psi and blow air into the other hole in the bottle cap (using a rubber-tipped air nozzle as pictured below).

7) Lean back and smile while tranny fluid effortlessly glides up the hose and into your transmission.

8) Stop blowing when full.

[Dantilla]

Tranny fluid is the only time I want to borrow somebody else's garage. I've always ended up with a bit of a mess.

[SteveinTO]

That's why Sweepco comes in a gallon container. Three quarts in the car, one quart on you, the floor, the transmission (outside), the funnel, hose, pump, exploding grape juice container.......

[Mitch Leland]

How often/miles do you change out your tranny fluid?

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by archtech

Just drained out my transmission fluid... decent clean greenish blue stuff came out.... magnetic plug only has fine metal dust...no chunks... and filled it up with the blue Swepco stuff.... not a single drop hit the floor until I was cleaning up the pump.

I've read a whole bunch of ways to get the fluid in, but this worked so well I had to write about it.

Basically keep drain pan under the drain / fill holes at all times. I warmed up the Swepco bottle in hot water. I used an evacuation / dispensing pump that I got at Harbor Freight. Its basically a giant syringe with a plastic tube and aluminum "L" end tube. It holds 1 quart of fluid. Suck it into the syringe, then suck a little air so it won't drip out when u take it out of the fluid bottle and stick it into the fill hole. About three transfers later, a few drips start coming out of the hole and into the pan... put the plug in... wipe up the fluid on the tranny.. then youre done! No mess!

I was ready with a whole wad of paper and didnt need it!

Sounds good. HF also sells a $10 hand pump. It has two hoses; one goes in the source container; the other goes into the gearbox. Working the plunger alternately draws the fluid out of the container, then pumps it into the gearbox, all w/o withdrawing the hoses from any orifice. For storage, plug the open hose ends with large bolts so the unit stays clean until you use it next time.

Sherwood

[Monza_dh]

I changed mine a few years ago with a hand pump in my '88. IT worked fine but a little messy.

But.....Mobil 1 gear lube smelled so bad that this past year when I decided to have it changed again I had my wrench do it when in for an alignment. I couldnt bear to smell that shtt again........

[sancho]

great idea I will try it when mine is due.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Monza_dh

I changed mine a few years ago with a hand pump in my '88. IT worked fine but a little messy.

But.....Mobil 1 gear lube smelled so bad that this past year when I decided to have it changed again I had my wrench do it when in for an alignment. I couldnt bear to smell that shtt again........

I have said for years that if any company can come up with transmission oil that does not smell bad they will corner the market.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by Mitch Leland

How often/miles do you change out your tranny fluid?

That completely depends on how you drive. If you're spending a lot of time at the track, high rpms, etc. more often - maybe once a year, more if you're actually racing. For just regular driving, I would think once every 5 years would be more than adequate, longer if there are no signs of it being required (hard shifting).

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Sounds good. HF also sells a $10 hand pump. It has two hoses; one goes in the source container; the other goes into the gearbox. Working the plunger alternately draws the fluid out of the container, then pumps it into the gearbox, all w/o withdrawing the hoses from any orifice. For storage, plug the open hose ends with large bolts so the unit stays clean until you use it next time.

Sherwood

This is how I do it, though I still end up with a fair amount of mess - the tubes slip out, overflow, etc. I hate changing tranny fluid.

[HarryD]

I'm a cheapskate.

I just use a funnel and gravity.

Changing the Oil in an Early 911 Transmission

This is a better plan than mine.


thanks to jadams1.

[911pcars]

Harry's referenced article is mostly good. However, the article should have been reviewed by an editor for accuracy less people take everything as gospel.

e.g. "Without oil in the transmission, you cannot roll the car or otherwise move it without a dolly."

A more accurate statement would be: "Without oil in the transmission, you shouldn't drive the car."

A vehicle can be rolled forward, backward, and if possible, sideways, without damaging the gearbox/differential. There is little to no load on gearbox components when rolling as long as there's a thin film of gear lube remaining inside (there is - trust me). Gear lube contains EP (extreme pressure) additives, even remnants of remaining gear lube film should hold up under the riguers of pushing a car. I would add that even driving a car under low load conditions for a short time (e.g. level road, gentle throttle) should be fine. However, I wouldn't suggest this unless you really have to, and the time period operating under these conditions is variable. YMMV, but in an emergency, this may be helpful to understand.

MHO,
Sherwood

[TechnoViking]

Originally Posted by SteveinTO

That's why Sweepco comes in a gallon container. Three quarts in the car, one quart on you, the floor, the transmission (outside), the funnel, hose, pump, exploding grape juice container.......

LOL. Funny because it's true.

[berettafan]

nice to know i'm not the only one with problems doing this!

haven't done the 911 yet but did the miata after i picked it up and good gawd what a mess i made! the pump i bought from the local autoparts store was defective and about three pumps into it (i was impressed with it up until this point) it started leaking all over the pump handle.

[Superman]

That stuff gets EVERYWHERE. There are special additives that cause a tablespoon of spillage in your garage to conver your entire garage, plus your lawn, bathroom, kitchen, etc.

I've stopped using a pump. I now use one of those siphon thingies that are like a HUGE hyperdermic needle. You suck a quart or two into the unit, then squirt it into the transmission. It makes a smaller mess than pumps seem to make.

[HarryD]

Sherwood,

Thanks!

As far as moving the car without oil in the tranny, I would agree but when I wrote the article, I decided to err on the side of caution lest someone do something truly stupid.

[bklyn]

Just did mine today, used Mobil Delvac and the gallon pump from our host. I added a four foot piece of plastic tubing which I fitted it over the pump end and the other end right into the side of the transmission. Pumped it until it ran out of the side, a 10 min. job. Not to bad except the smell of the Delvac!

[dshepp806]

Pumps work fine,..I think I may shop for the hyperdermic approach next..?

I hate that smell, too.

Best,

Doyle

[myamoto1]

Just buy a cheap insecticide sprayer. I bought one for under $10. Fill the container w/ tranny fluid (mine even has measurement markers on the side), pump full of air, insert nozzle into tranny, pull trigger, release trigger when done.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by dshepp806

Pumps work fine,..I think I may shop for the hyperdermic approach next..?

I hate that smell, too.

Best,

Doyle

I think the oil companies do that so people wouldn't mistakenly drink it or rub it on their body. Same with the chemical placed in natural gas so people would smell/sniff it, or whatever. People drink and breath all sort of things.

Sherwood