How to replace oil in tranny??

Hello,


I want to replace oil and filter in tranny and have a few question about.
Have never done that job on my own.
Have Venture 2002, extended with rear A/C.

Have also a Haynes book, but can't find anywhere how to put the oil in when I drop the pan down. Where is that place to pur oil in tranny when I replace the oil??
Do I need to flush tranny before replacing oil or just to change the oil and filter without flushing it??

Did look in the book, but just can't find it. Not sure can I do this on my own or not.
I do know how to replace brakes, change oil and oil filter in a car, but this job have never done before.
Do I need to have torque wrench or not?? Do I need to get the recommended oil and filter form the book or do you guys recommend something else??
What's about tranny oil cooler?? Do I need to install one or not?? Do that thing really help to get more from your tranny and to prolong the life of tranny or not??

Any answer and advice is like always more than welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Dino K

Have also a Haynes book, but can't find anywhere how to put the oil in when I drop the pan down. Where is that place to pur oil in tranny when I replace the oil??The tranny dip stick neck is where you add oil at. A funnel with a long tube works well to get the fluid back to it.

Do I need to flush tranny before replacing oil or just to change the oil and filter without flushing it??You, as a shade tree mechanic, can't easily flush it. Proper flushing requires you to disconnect a return line and pump clean fluid in as the old fluid comes out. It's not trivial to do and requires quite a bit of fluid. A normal change only will replace 1/2 to 1/3 the complete system capacity. A complete flush is not usually required unless it was poorly maintained or you had a mechanical failure.

Do I need to have torque wrench or not?? Do I need to get the recommended oil and filter form the book or do you guys recommend something else??A torque wrench is not required, but it's a nice thing to have as you can use it for other tasks. Just tighten up the pan bolts but don't over tighten.

As to what oil and filter to use, just stick to the recommended. After market is fine, OEM is not required.


What's about tranny oil cooler?? Do I need to install one or not?? Do that thing really help to get more from your tranny and to prolong the life of tranny or not??Do you do towing or heavy hauling. I beleive a cooler is already installed on all U-bodies already. At least on my Montana it's that way; it's integrated as part of the radiator. If you see two cooler lines coming out of the radiator about half way down on the passenger side, you have a cooler as well.

It helps to have a really BIG pan to catch the fluid.

When I did it, I found an old kitty-litter box in the garage. I lay down under the van and started loosening bolts, trying to loosen more on one side than the other so the fluid would pour out in a confined area. Everything was working great until my shoulder started feeling really wet. That's when I found out that someone put the kitty-litter box in the garage because it was cracked. Used transmission fluid was leaking out the bottom of the container onto the concrete almost as fast as it was going in.

I thought I was going to have to call in a hazmat team by the time I was done.

The best thing I have used lately is a little hand held, drill driven ,suction pump. It costs about $15 at Canadian Tire. You attach a long tube to the pump and fish it down the tranny dipstick tube until you hit bottom. Turn on your drill and this will suck out most of the fluid in the pan , then loosen bolts on pan and empty the remaining fluid. No mess!! By the way...you can re-use the pan gasket.If you destroy it taking it off , it costs $50 Canadian. Live and learn!
The tranny dipstick tube is located on the left side of the engine (looking in from in front of vehicle) near the firewall. If you can change your oil , changing tranny fluid will be easy for you. Good luck.

Keycules,

I have one of those pumps. I will try it. Of course I will have to remove my pan in the end to change the filter but at least i won't have driveway cleaning for a month. I bought a filter and gasket for $20 at C tire (pro King brand). The $50 gasket must have been different. Did you use an aftermarket filter or a Delco? (I bought a Delco too for $30). What brand of fluid did you use? Did you use synthetic?