Manual Trans fluid change

Majin325 · 08-25-2008, 06:24 PM

I drained my fluid and when I went to put the drain plug in I noticed it was kind of tough and gritty. I took it out and stuck my finger inside and found little pieces of metal. How much damage can this cause?

DSPTurtle · 08-25-2008, 06:32 PM

Are they little chunks of metal or a gray slime on your finger. Chunks and bits are bad... the slime is normal but still not ideal. Do you know what kind of tranny fluid was in the car before you changed it? What did you put back in?

Majin325 · 08-25-2008, 06:53 PM

I just drained it cause I was going to put new fluid in it. I have no clue what kind of fluid was in it. The guy I bought it from had no records of anything. There were small chunks of metal and fluid was slimey. Can't even get the drain plug to go back in cause pieces of metal are in the threads.

m73m95 · 08-25-2008, 07:02 PM

You need to get that flushed out before you add new fluid....but I'm not exactly sure what to use either...without taking the transaxle apart. The metal shavings are not good, but the metalic goo is alright. Its friction material off the syncro's. Either the old fluid was in there from the factory...or its really cheap stuff....or the wrong stuff.

If it shifts alright, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Maybe get some ATF to put in there, and drive it around the block (NOT TO FAR...and go easy), then drain that and fill with Redline MT-90 (or what ever synthetic you like).

You just need to get all that stuff out before you put in your good quality GL-4 synthetic fluid in. (redline MT-90 lol) DO NOT USE GL-5 REAR END LUBE.....its not made for our transaxles.

Majin325 · 08-25-2008, 07:19 PM

I got some Valvoline 75w 90 thats a GL-5. Should I try to flush it with that? The car has always driven/shifted fine.

m73m95 · 08-25-2008, 08:43 PM

I think the ATF is better. Its thinner to get into more places, and high in detergent to clean everything.

don't drive it more than 5 min, at slow speed...and make sure you drain it out good. maybe flush the ATF out with your GL-5....just don't leave the GL-5 in there.

Eric 951 · 08-26-2008, 04:50 AM

Hopefully the fill plug will not be seized--for future reference on 944s always make sure you canr emove the fill plug before removing the drain plug--they are notorious for being a PITA to remove.

phoenix_iii · 08-26-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Majin325

I drained my fluid and when I went to put the drain plug in I noticed it was kind of tough and gritty. I took it out and stuck my finger inside and found little pieces of metal. How much damage can this cause?

It's not the cause, it's the result.

Redline MTF is good stuff.

Go easy on those plugs, they are fragile.

Majin325 · 08-27-2008, 04:06 PM

I have been having a bit of a problem getting the drain plug back in. The small metal pieces are in the threads inside the transmission and I can't even scrape them out. If I start to tighten it it starts to round off the threads on the plug. The plug wont even go halfway in.

djnolan · djnolan's Garage

you might try pouring a pint or so of kerosene or solvent in thru the filler with the drain plug in loose. that would dissolve the gunk and loosen up the shavings in the bottom of the casing. then drain it out and repeat.

then try to clean the threads with break clean or carb cleaner. then use a small wire brush on the threads on the plug and in the hole. a round wire brush would fit just perfect in the hole.

then fill her up wth fresh GL4...change in a few months...