V8 Manual transmission fluid change

[Hardymon]

I've seen a number of people asking about this, and after a lot of searching, it was hard to come up with anything concrete, so now that I've done this, I figured I'd share it. This is really easy, and if you can change your own oil, you can certainly do this.

What you need: 3/8" square drive ratchet or breaker bar, oil catch pan and some sort of pump. The manual states that the capacity is 4.2 quarts if I remember correctly, so you should be good getting 5 quarts if you want to use a little to flush it with, but you could probably get away with just getting 4 since there is a little bit that will sit in the bottom of the tranny.

I actually bought 6, 5 quarts of RP Syncromax and a cheap quart of mobil 1 Dex III fluid to rinse the tranny with, (I can't call it a proper flush). In the end, I had an extra quart of RP unopened.

First thing to do is use your 3/8" drive to open the fill plug. Assuming you're running everything stock, just be careful of the sensor that's right there (see first picture). As you should be able to see, the plug is about 1/2 way up the tranny on the driver's side and it is labeled "FILL".

After the fill plug is out, set that somewhere safe.

Next position your catch pan under the drain plug which is located at the back of the tranny on the bottom on the passenger side, (second picture, the plug with the 3/8" square, not the bolt). (Sorry if that's super obvious, but what's obvious to most of us isn't always obvious to everyone).

*note* When positioning the pan, make sure that the edge of it is just under the drain plug, since, when you remove the plug, the fluid will gush out and may overshoot the pan if you don't have it positioned correctly.

Now you can remove the drain plug (also just a 3/8" drive), being aware that the fluid will drain out surprisingly fast.

Now there are two ways you can go here; you can reinstall the drain plug or do what I did and pump a bottle of cheap tranny fluid through to provide some rinsing/flushing action. If you don't feel this is necessary, then just reinstall the drain plug and begin pumping tranny fluid back into the fill plug.

If you're working at a shop, they may have a fancy machine to automatically pump it up in there, the hobby shop I was working out of just had a basic hand pump, (one more reason I opted to run a quart of the cheap stuff through, since I didn't know who had used it last or for what exactly). Also, it's good practice to wipe everything off for the reason I just mentioned; you don't want to introduce someone elses crud into your car.

Pump the first 3 quarts in as quickly as you're motivated to do, but on the fourth, start to slow down a little as this will likely be all the tranny will hold. Since there's no dipstick, once you start to see fluid leak out of the fill hole, poke your finger in there to verify that the tranny is in fact full, (fluid should be about level with the bottom of the fill hole), and that the fluid isn't just running down the pump's pipe.

Reinstall the fill plug. I don't have actual torque specs here, maybe someone can chime in with those, but you shouldn't need to gorilla grip either plug in there as there is thread sealant on them. I went until they felt snug and then gave an extra 1/4 turn.

All that's left is to turn the car on, make sure theres no leaks and enjoy!

[Tennis_pro]

Good post man. I will be doing this very soon. Would it be safer to remove the electric connection before doing this to make sure you don't get trans oil on it? Also, did you have your car exactly level for this?

[cajun1le]

Nice write up Hardymon. For those that do not have access to a Hobby Shop or a hand pump. You can make your own with a simple 3/8" marine priming bulb, some 3/8" fuel vapor hose and a Napa 3033 filter. Just make sure the filter is installed after the pump to collect anything the pump might discard.

[Hardymon]

Yes, the car was level on a lift. I didn't disconnect anything either. Where the plugs are, there shouldn't be any issues with oil getting on the connections.

[thebigbankhank]

How many miles are recommended for a fluid change

[LadyT_SS]

Torque specs on the fill and drain plugs?

[GVA 45TH 2SS]

20 foot lbs or 27 Nm

[wreeino]

Just make sure the filter is installed after the pump to collect anything the pump might discard

[1Coopgt]

Originally Posted by wreeino

Just make sure the filter is installed after the pump to collect anything the pump might discard

Manual tranny's don't have filters as far as I know .

Nice write up OP.

[SeaCompiler]

Thank for the write-up and pics. Just another reason I have yet to purchase a repair manual. I will be doing this within the month.

[InfernoSSDC]

Great write up, as im about to flush mine.