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[laurie]

Hi

Please can someone recommend which ATF to use. I need to do a flush/top up on my 2.5 v6 omega.

Also do most ATF's come in a suitable bottle to allow topping up?

[VXL V6]

Generally recomended to use Fuchs Titan 4000 supplied by OpieOils (They give OOF a discount).

I've heard people have modified a pump type garden sprayer to fill the box back up. Your still going to have to pop the sumps off to drain the box though.

[Jukeboxnut]

I used Castrol Dexron 111 from Halfords, not the cheapest but the containers have useful easy pour spouts.

[laurie]

How easy a job is this to do?
I imagine it is more the jacking and rejacking that takes the time?
Is the top up easily accesible and easy to do?
I have the how to guide, just want some feedback from guys that have done it.

[Jukeboxnut]

If you don't want to drop the sumps to change the oil (best if you want to do a thorough job) Machine Mart sell a range of vacuum pumps with flexible nozzles, not cheap but very useful for all sorts of difficult draining jobs.

[laurie]

So this method is no good?

This is the method which I use and find it works quite well. (note pic, to follow).

First, the gearbox oil needs to be warm, idealy between about 40-80 deg's so take the car for a short run.

Now jack up the drivers side (passenger side if left hand drive) and support on a suitable axle stand. Note, the car needs to be on a fairly flat surface.

Warning: The Catalytic converters get very hot and the level plug is very close to them so be careful!)

Place a suitable container underneath the auto box and locate the oil level plug, slacken it off with a 13mm socket (you could use a spanner but, a socket is easier), dont fully remove it.

Now chock the wheels, ensure the auto box is in park and start the engine.

Carefuly reach under the car, position the container below the level plug and remove the level plug.

Using Dextron 3 ATF top the fluid level up until it just starts to run out, for top ups I buy a 1 litre bottle with the long extandable plastic delivery tube, insert the tube into the level plug and squeeze.

Now, with the engine still running, lower the car off the jack, the excess fluid will run out and into the container.

Jack the car again and refit the level plug with a new washer (if you dont have one then heat it up to re-anneal the old washer before fitting).

[dbug]

So this method is no good?

This is the method which I use and find it works quite well. (note pic, to follow).

First, the gearbox oil needs to be warm, idealy between about 40-80 deg's so take the car for a short run.

Now jack up the drivers side (passenger side if left hand drive) and support on a suitable axle stand. Note, the car needs to be on a fairly flat surface.

Warning: The Catalytic converters get very hot and the level plug is very close to them so be careful!)

Place a suitable container underneath the auto box and locate the oil level plug, slacken it off with a 13mm socket (you could use a spanner but, a socket is easier), dont fully remove it.

Now chock the wheels, ensure the auto box is in park and start the engine.

Carefuly reach under the car, position the container below the level plug and remove the level plug.

Using Dextron 3 ATF top the fluid level up until it just starts to run out, for top ups I buy a 1 litre bottle with the long extandable plastic delivery tube, insert the tube into the level plug and squeeze.

Now, with the engine still running, lower the car off the jack, the excess fluid will run out and into the container.

Jack the car again and refit the level plug with a new washer (if you dont have one then heat it up to re-anneal the old washer before fitting).

The above is for topping up/refilling autobox ATF and is right way to do it.

To empty (won't fully empty) need to remove sumps, clean out (incl filter), replace sumps and refill as above.

[Jukeboxnut]

That's fine for topping up the oil, but if you want to flush it you have to get as much of the old stuff out as possible either by removing the sumps or sucking it out using a vacuum pump before refilling with fresh oil.

[Jukeboxnut]

Opps beaten to it again.

[laurie]

ok thats great, all i wish to do now is a top up
So is this easy to do and are the bottles suitable to pour from unde the car or do they need to be put in something else etc.

[Jukeboxnut]

The bottles are suitable to pour from under the car, but unless you are the incredible hulk it is difficult to get all the oil out in one squeeze.

I had to keep pouring the leftovers from one to another after half emptying 2 bottles first, mind you that was filling from empty.

[laurie]

Is the drain plug on the underside or top of the gearbox? I guess what i am asking is this, if the plug is at the bottom, wont the fluid just drain out straight away, before trying to top up?

Or am i missing something here...all advise much appreciated as i would like to crack on with this tomorrow whilst the weather is ok.

[Andy B]

Is the drain plug on the underside or top of the gearbox? I guess what i am asking is this, if the plug is at the bottom, wont the fluid just drain out straight away, before trying to top up?

Or am i missing something here...all advise much appreciated as i would like to crack on with this tomorrow whilst the weather is ok.

There's no drain plug. just a fill/level plug on the side of the gear box.

[VXL V6]

Engine needs to be running when you top up so that the box primes all the areas of the box with fluid. If you don't have the engine running all you are doing is filling the sumps.

Best bet is to get someone to select each gear as you fill the box.