Transmission problem after oil change?

[DannMann99]

So I have an 09 mazda 3 did my first oil change today.

Took off that plastic underchasis, located oil pan and oil filter... Took off oil pan bolt and drained system till it was just dripping, took off oil filter and replaced. Filled with about 4.25 quarts of 5w30 oil...

Closed it up ran it for a bit and problems started...

Put it in reverse to back out of area I was working and it was Very rough... but idling was fine... putting it in drive was somewhat better than reverse. Was able to drive though within the parking lot I didn't dare take it further...

I let it get to operating temp, let it cool down a bit and checked oil level... which showed it to be much above high.... So I double checked it a few times, then ultimately reopened the nut on the oil pan and tried to drain some... what came out was dark fluid similar to the old oil that was coming out, maybe a half quart came out then stopped... no new oil no more old oil came out... But the oil level still showed it was very high.

I thought maybe I overtightened my oil filter, loosened that up and ultimately took it off and some more old oil looking fluid came out then stopped...

Still the car idles fine...

Triple checked EVERYTHING, and I did it normally... didn't rough handle anything didn't loosen anything I shouldn't have... I decided to try to drive the car again... this time Drive/Reverse makes it go no where, almost like the tranny's shot. (which it wasn't before)

I check transmission fluid while the engine is at operating temp and the meter is completely dry...

This was my first oil change in Mazda3, but I KNOW what I took out was not transmission fluid... It was dark, and oily... and felt like oil... Tranny never gave me a problem in the past, the fluid that came out was in no way red/pink and did not smell like transmission fluid... just felt like oil.

I am at a complete loss... I have No more ideas, talked to my brother who also knows about cars and he has no ideas.

Maybe you guys can help?

Thanks in advance.

-Dan

[oldblu65]

Sounds like you drained the transmission fluid instead of the engine oil ? You said you removed the drain plug and removed extra oil and it was as dirty as the previously drained oil - correct ? When you remove the drain plug from the transmission , you will not get all the fluid out . You only drain out the oil standing in the pan . The transmission and ( especially ) the torque convertor will still contain plenty of fluid ( oil ) . The engine idles fine but the transmission doesn't work properly because it is really low on fluid . The engine oil level was way above normal because you put new oil in without draining the old oil . The transmission oil level is way below the proper level after being drained and not showing on the dipstick . The engine now has likely twice the oil it should have and that can damage the engine . I would not start it again till that is corrected . Also , you need to drain the transmission to get the contaminated transmission fluid ( transmission fluid mixed with 5w-30 engine oil ) out and refill with the proper fluid to the correct level . Hopefully not too much damage has occurred , good luck !

[DannMann99]

Originally Posted by oldblu65

Sounds like you drained the transmission fluid instead of the engine oil ? You said you removed the drain plug and removed extra oil and it was as dirty as the previously drained oil - correct ? When you remove the drain plug from the transmission , you will not get all the fluid out . You only drain out the oil standing in the pan . The transmission and ( especially ) the torque convertor will still contain plenty of fluid ( oil ) . The engine idles fine but the transmission doesn't work properly because it is really low on fluid . The engine oil level was way above normal because you put new oil in without draining the old oil . The transmission oil level is way below the proper level after being drained and not showing on the dipstick . The engine now has likely twice the oil it should have and that can damage the engine . I would not start it again till that is corrected . Also , you need to drain the transmission to get the contaminated transmission fluid ( transmission fluid mixed with 5w-30 engine oil ) out and refill with the proper fluid to the correct level . Hopefully not too much damage has occurred , good luck !

I'm bringing it in to a mechanic this AM in the next hour or two.

A few things to note though, after I drained what I thought was oil I took off the oil filter and that only let out maybe 1-2 cups full of the same consistency/texture/color/smell oil...

Also, it was my understanding the ATF collection pan did not have a single bolt to let it drain. I thought you had to remove the pan to change the fluid, right?

At any rate this is ridiculous. It's not like i'm new to changing oil, so my 20$ oil change is probably going to turn into a few hundred dollar fix and hopefully not more.

[carczar]

I agree with oldblu. It sounds like you drained you tranny fluid, but if that is the case, I don't think you want to drive your car with all that oil in the oil pan, plus you really don't want to drive with low tranny fluid either. Maybe you should get a manual for the car, so you can find out the location of the oil drain plug, and drain the oil and start again. And do the same for the transmission - purchase whatever tranny fluid your car needs and fill it until the level is set. Then try and drive the car again. I think you'll be ok.

[zzyzzx2]

I also think you drained the transmission and added new oil into the existing oil. Happens all the time on Subarus that have an external filter and pan bolt since it looks just like an oil pan.

[georgef01]

It's so difficult to do this manually but if all else fails, go to the nearest and reliable auto repair shop.