Changing Transmission Fluid and Filter

[riverjamie]

I' thinking about changing my transmission filter and fluid myself on my 1995 s10 Blazer 4x4 4.3L. I never done it, but I don't believe it can be that hard. My question is this other than dropping the pan and removing the filter, is there anything else I should look for? Also I cannot find the owner manual how many quarts of transmission fluid the trans takes? Also what about the transfer case oil? I believe it is also filled with transmission fluid. Does it come from the main trans?

Thanks

[Fox_Rocks]

first of all, i'm not really familiar with the newer S-10's, but i imagine they are all the same when it comes to things like this. Sometimes you have to unbolt the tranny from the crossmember and jack it up in order to drop the pan, reason being is the Y pipe gets in the way. As for how much fluid it takes i think it's around 5 quarts. The transfer case is usually tranny fluid, take out the top plug and if it's red then it's tranny fluid. there is some fluid transfer from the tranny to the transfer case but the transfer case has it's own supply. you will see two plugs in the back side of it, the top one is the fill level, the bottom one is to drain it. hope that helped.

[riverjamie]

Originally Posted by Fox_Rocks

first of all, i'm not really familiar with the newer S-10's, but i imagine they are all the same when it comes to things like this. Sometimes you have to unbolt the tranny from the crossmember and jack it up in order to drop the pan, reason being is the Y pipe gets in the way. As for how much fluid it takes i think it's around 5 quarts. The transfer case is usually tranny fluid, take out the top plug and if it's red then it's tranny fluid. there is some fluid transfer from the tranny to the transfer case but the transfer case has it's own supply. you will see two plugs in the back side of it, the top one is the fill level, the bottom one is to drain it. hope that helped.

Thanks for the info. This will help. After draining the tranny is the any thing special about fill it back up? What about the lines that go to the radiator? Is there any air trap problems like coolant?

thanks again

[Fox_Rocks]

nope, just throw the fluid in it, then run it and check it as per usual....engine running, warm, transmission in park......no probs with air locks to worry about.

[riverjamie]

Forgot to ask one last thing? By any chance to you know what the torque setting should be for the trans oil pan bolts? 1995 S10 Blazer 4.3L 4x4 SUV

thanks again

[Fox_Rocks]

just snug them all down, start at one and work all around....then go back through and snug them plus a bit...all you want to make sure of is that you don't tighten them down so much that the gasket squishes out the sides. You don't have to worry to much, worst case it leaks a bit in which case just give them a snug again....there is no pressure there so it's not going to hurt anything.

[riverjamie]

Thanks again.

[Fox_Rocks]

no problem, glad i could help.

[RKINGII]

Keep in mind that you are not changing all of the total fluid (12 qts?). Might be better off taking it to a Rapid Oil change, or similar shop. You'll be amazed how much there is, and what's involved.
Good luck.