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[Mr Hagon]

I've been looking at the Omega Service Intervals page and I'm curious to know what the implications are for not changing the ATF.

I got my Omega at around 60k miles and it's now done over 100k.  As the manual says it doesn't get changed at a service unless 'extreme' operating conditions are cited.

Is this something I should do anyway?  What do people think?

Mr Hagon

[mkaminski100]

It's up to you. I've seen Omegas which has done 200.000 miles, no oil change and it was ok, but as you can see there's a lot of "Autobox problem" threads, so it's better to do as much as you can to keep it like new.  
you have to remember that each part wears (aluminium, steel, plastic, abrasive discs) and small pieces are distributed with oil, and working as an abrasive material. I think that this is the main reason of all controll faults in these gearboxes.
If you didn't changed oil then you will see the difference after change. The cost it too small to risk your gerabox.  

Sassanach is a autobox guru so he can tell more and as you live in London so you can ask these guys about oil change prices - http://vmtp.co.uk/contact.htm

[Kevin Wood]

In a word - yes.

The fluid does deteriorate with use so it's worth changing it. it's also an opportunity to check for bits of thrust washer in the sump, as this can be a mode by which these gearboxes fail.

kevin

[VXL V6]

The recomendations from this site are to change the fluid every 60K regardless.

The service intervals specified by manufacturers are to keep fleet managers / leasing companies happy for the three years they own the car, the recomendations are not sympathetic to the car.

[Richard A]

Yes, change the fluid every 60k/70k. Changed the fluid in my '98 2.5 petrol Elite for the second time in it's life today at 134,000 miles. This method worked out very well. Dropped main auto box sump (it held 4litres) cleaned it out, then put back with 4 bolts, refilled through side plug (3litres), started engine, then topped up (1 litre, total 4 litres), stop engine, repeat, then again, then refit sump with all the bolts, fill system. From dry system holds 8.4 litres, with this method the system should have approx 87.5% new fluid (requires 12 litres of Dexron 3).
Fluid dark brown to start, after, bright red.  
regards
richard

[Mr Hagon]

Well the Omega has gone in for its service and I've asked them to change the ATF at the same time.

Mr Hagon

[Richard A]

Please post the price they charged to replace the ATF with Dexron 3.
regards
richard

[Jay w]

mine had done 91.000 before it was changed......

it made a massive improvement to the box, smoother and i found some of the autobox error messages disappeared......

the other thing i would recommend is a software upgrade, that will change the whole feel of the box

[Markjay]

Yes, ATF change every 50k-60k is not a bad idea at all...

And keep in mind that you can only change about half of it anyway, so it is more refreshing it than actually changing it...

There is also a filter inside the smaller sump, it needs to be cleaned, but only replaced if damaged.

[Seth]

Change the ATF and filter every 40,000 miles.
My local Vauxhall people quoted £70-ish for the filter alone, which is not a stock item, and had to be ordered-in, (and pre-paid too).
Local auto-transmission specialists did the whole job for £85 all-in, including flushing the torque convertor - I didn't even have to get dirty!

[Kevin Wood]

There's a chap from AutoBahnStormers who sells the filter plus gaskets for 35 quid including postage. Have a set on order so I'll let you know how it goes. Advertised in the back of straight 6 news.

Incidentally, has anyone ever tried flushing the old fluid out of the box properly by disconnecting the return line from the fluid cooler and running the engine to flush out old fluid whilst injecting new fluid into the box? (after changing the fluid in the sumps and the filter, of course)?

Might give this a try when I do mine. It seems commonplace, just never heard of it being done on an Omega. Seems little extra work, and if it gives a complete fluid change rather than just partial it's got to be worthwhile.

Kevin

[VXL V6]

Unless the box is dying (In which case the filter is the last of your worries) then all that needs to be done is to clean the filter IMHO.

Would be interested to see how you get on completely flushing the box.

[bigall]

Filters etc avaiable fromJPAT  website www.jpat.co.uk  parts page is General Motors 4L30E (AR25/35)

[Mike Collins]

Kevin I think what you are referring to is called Megaflush at Gloucester road gearboxes in Bristol.

They use a machine that circulates the old fluid through filters with a cleaning chemical, then switches over to fresh fluid and gradually replaces the old.

Connects in at the cooler fittings at the front of the, uses about 14 litres and was around £140 last year.

The colour difference between the two chambers, old and new is interesting.

[Richard A]

12 litres of Dexron 3 should give about 87.5% new fluid (8.4 litres to fill from dry) method : empty main sump, then empty and fill 3 times. As long as you top up with engine running you will empty 4 litres each time, bit messy but it worked. Total cost £50 for Dexron 3.
regards
richard