Transmission

[jcwit]

I usually measure how much I get drained out then add not quite that amount. Then with the engine running with the tranny in park or neutral I check/add/check/add/check, I think you get the idea. Till I have the fluid at the proper level, go for a drive and do a last double check.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by jcwit

I usually measure how much I get drained out then add not quite that amount. Then with the engine running with the tranny in park or neutral I check/add/check/add/check, I think you get the idea. Till I have the fluid at the proper level, go for a drive and do a last double check.

That’s true..i heard bout 3-4 quarts..can someone verify this?

[mightymoose_22]

Originally Posted by chrisanthony

That’s true..i heard bout 3-4 quarts..can someone verify this?

Automatic transmission capacity is 4.1 quarts, however, if you just drain the pan you are not getting all the fluid out from the cooler and the lines. As mentioned above, add just 3 quarts, then let the engine idle in neutral as you slowly add the last quart to get it at the right level. Always check tranny fluid while idling in neutral.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

Automatic transmission capacity is 4.1 quarts, however, if you just drain the pan you are not getting all the fluid out from the cooler and the lines. As mentioned above, add just 3 quarts, then let the engine idle in neutral as you slowly add the last quart to get it at the right level. Always check tranny fluid while idling in neutral.

thanks man.

[chrisanthony]

hey guys.. i just looked under my car this weekend and there is no sign of a drain plug. The bolts for the transmission pan seems to be badly rusted, so maybe i shouldn’t interfere with it. What do you guys think?

[zzyzzx2]

Mine were badly rusted, but I reused them anyway. Same with the pan (which was only partially rusted). If I had to do it again, I would have soaked the bolts in a a solution of alka-seltzer with water (tto remove the rust). Or go to a JY and fine one with some non-rusted bolts. Not all of mine were rusty, just some of them.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by zzyzzx2

Mine were badly rusted, but I reused them anyway. Same with the pan (which was only partially rusted). If I had to do it again, I would have soaked the bolts in a a solution of alka-seltzer with water (tto remove the rust). Or go to a JY and fine one with some non-rusted bolts. Not all of mine were rusty, just some of them.

How about if i buy a long hose and just try to siphon it out with a auto syringe like i do with power steering fluid?.

[denisond3]

Using a hose to syphon out fluid would be better than nothing..... Once upon a time Jiffy-Lube used that technique to give people "motor oil changes in ten minutes".
I have the clear vinyl or polyethylene hose for draining brake fluid and gasoline, etc. I like it because I can suck on the end of the hose to start the syphon, can see the fluid coming; so can avoid tasting it. It comes in various diameters. I get the size thats a tight fit on the end of the brake bleeders screws on my car. That way I can see if there are still air bubbles coming out along with the fluid. Auto parts places may also sell a plastic hose with a syphon pump on the end.
Syphoning out the fluid wont get out the muck in the bottom of the pan, so it would be a good idea to start the process shortly after you have driven it around; to maximize how much of the silt is still in suspension from driving. You also wont see how much metallic 'fuzz' is sticking to the doughnut magnets in the pan; (not that knowing how much is there will help you much).
So far I havent syphoned ATF out, I always drop the pan: And I usually find other things that need attention. For instance I sometimes have to use threaded inserts (like "helicoil" or equal) to fix places where the threads in the aluminum case have been stripped out (probably by folks trying to stop oil leaks by making the bolts tighter, instead of replacing the gasket). - or to un-dimple the rim of the pan.
The manual calls for 74-95 inch-pounds of torque on those pan bolts. A.k.a. 6 to 9 ft lbs. And often if the pan bolts have been over-tightened enough to strip the threads out of the case, the rim of the pan will have been 'dimpled' up around the holes. You should un-dimple the rim with proper tools. I use my lead hammer and a tree-stump.
When I rebuilt the tranny in my Escort, It took just over 6 quarts to refill. This was for refilling a tranny that was -empty-. The torque converter, all the oil passages and accumulators, etc were empty. The Service manual says it takes 6.7 U.S. quarts or 6.3 liters. For a typical ATF change (just dropping the pan), you get about half of the oil to drip out.

[zzyzzx2]

I've siphoned mine several times:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3878

SIPHON PUMP KIT



Quickly and safely transfer gasoline, water and other liquids.


4 ft. of both intake and discharge hose
Inlet and outlet nozzles
31'' x 1/4'' dipstick tube
Solid brass piston rod
16'' air pressure hose with 90° snap-shut valve

ITEM 3878-5VGA

Only thing is that the 31" dipstick tube is really too short.

[zzyzzx2]

Get the above kit at Harbor Freight AND go to WalMart and get the 8' clear tubing from the aquarium dept to use as the dipstick tube. Worked for me.

[chrisanthony]

thanks guys for all the replies..i'll try to siphon it out and later on.. i'll look after the pan and filter..

[chrisanthony]

hey guys..just to make sure..the type of atf i use is DexronIII MERCON ATF or Type F?

[FordMan59]

If you are able to remove all the transmission fluid the capacity is 8.2 pints.

[Davescort97]

It takes MERCON only. Don't use anything else.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

It takes MERCON only. Don't use anything else.

iight thanks so its cool if i use this:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...on%2BFluid.jsp