[Stephen12ZL1]

This is the second transmission fluid change and my car currently has 9000 miles. The first change was at 6000 miles (probably too long considering its use). Here is a link to part 1 so I don't repeat myself:

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=553829

OK...because everyone is so sensitive these days, a brief bio is necessary so everyone can relax and hopefully understand my intentions. I feel Camaro 5/6 is an amazing group and resource. Personally, I have gained much knowledge and many friends because of it.

My experience dates to my first vehicle purchased which was a 1968 El Camino in 1985. The first trip of mine down the dragstrip(17.0@85ish) was that same year, and I have been hooked as a shadetree mechanic ever since. Two of my very good friends are ASE certified mechanics and one of them is a shop owner. I have helped restore a 1966 Chevy II, 1966 Corvette convertible, and a 1972 Corvette coupe all before car restoration was more mainstream (late 1980's).

As for transmissions...I have serviced or installed "shift kits" in many GM transmissions including Powerglide (aluminum & cast iron case), TH350, TH400, 700R4, 2004R, 4L60E, 4L80E, 6L80E, 6L90E, and our 10L90.

Strangely, my career path led me to dentistry, and I have been a general dentist for 25 years. I am 51 years old & married with two children ages 13 & 15. Road course HPDE driving/instructing has been my latest interest (~10yrs) which is IMHO the most appropriate use for a ZL1. These cars are amazing!

OK...since that is off my chest we can get down to business: check the link above for previous pics. Here is a pic of the transmission pan in which the fluid appears much more red compared to the orange from the last change. I used 7 quarts as the magic number again. Have a great day everyone!

[Stephen12ZL1]

one more pic:

[ZX-10R]

My first vehicle was a '65 El Camino, I think I replaced basically everything on the car in the 5-6 years I owned it, so I learned to work on cars the hard way (including replacing the trans from under the car - on jackstands - by myself). No traction either, just about killed myself on icy roads in UP of Michigan. Car was a death trap. "Character building" my dad would say

Trans fluid change - this brings up the age old debate of flush vs drain. Flush is always superior if the transmission and fluid is in reasonably good condition, but I don't know if GM dealers are even set-up to do it.

As far as I know a simple drain will still leave multiple quarts of contaminated oil in the torque converter. If you're draining regularly I would install a drain plug kit ASAP.

[h018871]

Funny Stephen, my first car was a '72 El Camino. It got me hooked on wrenching, did stupid stuff with it as I was learning. Rebuilt the motor, swapped differentials and converted to TH400. Finally wrecked it, doing something that was not the smartest thing to do. Oh well, it was good being lucky and no one got hurt.
I'll be doing the drain, filter and fill also.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by ZX-10R

My first vehicle was a '65 El Camino, I think I replaced basically everything on the car in the 5-6 years I owned it, so I learned to work on cars the hard way (including replacing the trans from under the car - on jackstands - by myself). No traction either, just about killed myself on icy roads in UP of Michigan. Car was a death trap. "Character building" my dad would say

Trans fluid change - this brings up the age old debate of flush vs drain. Flush is always superior if the transmission and fluid is in reasonably good condition, but I don't know if GM dealers are even set-up to do it.

As far as I know a simple drain will still leave multiple quarts of contaminated oil in the torque converter. If you're draining regularly I would install a drain plug kit ASAP.

not much of a debate as the only procedure I can perform in my garage is a drain and refill. I agree 100% a flush is better but it requires specialized equipment. My friend (the shop owner) used to do a flush often on shop vehicles but has stated on older vehicles with many miles, it can cause problems that didn't exist until the flush. The theory is some of the deposited old clutch material is disturbed in the valve body and can get into places (solenoids & valves) a standard drain and replace would leave undisturbed. Yes, there is fluid left behind in the torque converter but 7 qts of new fluid is now present in the system and the old fluid didn't appear very "contaminated". Good times...a lot of previous El Camino owners!

[ZX-10R]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I agree 100% a flush is better but it requires specialized equipment.

Do dealers even have the right equipment for the 10 speed? I had the 8 speed in my SS flushed twice (including the "shudder" warranty job with the new Mobil1 product) so I assume the answer is yes

My friend (the shop owner) used to do a flush often on shop vehicles but has stated on older vehicles with many miles, it can cause problems that didn't exist until the flush. The theory is some of the deposited old clutch material is disturbed in the valve body and can get into places (solenoids & valves) a standard drain and replace would leave undisturbed.

Yep - and that theory seems to be backed up by numerous case histories. However, assuming you keep up with the maintenance (15-30k for a performance street car, 50k for light duty passenger car) a flush works very well. Despite the fear mongering I've had my trusty V6 Accord daily beater flushed twice and it runs like a top

Yes, there is fluid left behind in the torque converter but 7 qts of new fluid is now present in the system and the old fluid didn't appear very "contaminated". Good times...a lot of previous El Camino owners!

Honda has essentially banned transmission flushes, most dealers will only perform drain and fill. Quite a few guys on the Honda forums recommend a 3X drain/fill procedure to get more of the ~5-6 quarts out of the torque converter, but that's alot of work with no drain plug or fill port!

[HxllxMan]

Thank you for sharing your experience.
The only DIY A10 "oil change" I found on the web.

I am having a fault code P0700/P0708 and need to drop the tranny oil pan to replace my AT Gear Position Sensor 24289773 :(

[Ron_Robinson1]

Originally Posted by HxllxMan

Thank you for sharing your experience.
The only DIY A10 "oil change" I found on the web.

I am having a fault code P0700/P0708 and need to drop the tranny oil pan to replace my AT Gear Position Sensor 24289773 :(

Should be a pretty simple job, just nasty. These trans are pain in the ass since they have no drain plug, and you will also have to drop the valve body to have room to work on the positioning sensor. If your someone that changes your fluid often like me. While your pan is dropped add a drain plug. Makes life so much easier down the road.

[Ron_Robinson1]

Originally Posted by HxllxMan

Thank you for sharing your experience.
The only DIY A10 "oil change" I found on the web.

I am having a fault code P0700/P0708 and need to drop the tranny oil pan to replace my AT Gear Position Sensor 24289773 :(

Welded in at the back of the pan.

[HxllxMan]

Originally Posted by Ron_Robinson1

Should be a pretty simple job, just nasty. These trans are pain in the ass since they have no drain plug, and you will also have to drop the valve body to have room to work on the positioning sensor. If your someone that changes your fluid often like me. While your pan is dropped add a drain plug. Makes life so much easier down the road.

Really Valve body as well?
Hope it is not a sensitive part, especially I don't have workshop manual .

Sadly I'm not from the USA... very hard to find locally parts... even a drain plug
I'm draining just for that sensor, car only has 4000 miles since 2017.

[Scottyz]

Nice write up again Stephen.
I’m impressed with the amount of different GM transmissions you have worked on.
The topic of flushing then having a problem afterwards has happened to myself as a tech twice. Once on a lower km vehicle and once on a mid life vehicle which to me would be like 200000kms. It’s rare but it does happen. The higher mileage vehicle was a regular customer and flushed his vehicles every 50000kms.
Regardless, the pics you have taken look clean to me. Looks like there is pretty much nothing on the magnets or in the bottom of the pan which obviously is a good thing as you know.

Regarding ElCaminos. My older cousin and I went out one night to play pool. We brought home an older broad. I had to go home that night. My cousin threw me the keys to take home his 1985 ElCamino. It was a 4 speed. First time I had driven a manual. I was 15 years old. Didn’t even have a license. Surprisingly I didn’t even stall the car. Great times. Hopefully one day I can own one.

[Ron_Robinson1]

Originally Posted by HxllxMan

Really Valve body as well?
Hope it is not a sensitive part, especially I don't have workshop manual .

Sadly I'm not from the USA... very hard to find locally parts... even a drain plug
I'm draining just for that sensor, car only has 4000 miles since 2017.

It’s not a bad job pulling the valve body. You will see it comes out as one big piece. You will need it out to work I would assume. Not much space working around it. If this doesn’t work and you a valve body issue just message me.

[HxllxMan]

Originally Posted by Ron_Robinson1

It’s not a bad job pulling the valve body. You will see it comes out as one big piece. You will need it out to work I would assume. Not much space working around it. If this doesn’t work and you a valve body issue just message me.

Yeah... I am confident enough to work on manual transmission or outboard gear case.
I have seen some DSG valve body, but never really touch one.
Probably scared because it is 10 speeds

I am trying to find a 2017 ZL1 workshop manual online to buy in PDF format
Amazed it is not available... will need the torque specs ect.... and what not to do.

Thanks

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by HxllxMan

Yeah... I am confident enough to work on manual transmission or outboard gear case.
I have seen some DSG valve body, but never really touch one.
Probably scared because it is 10 speeds

I am trying to find a 2017 ZL1 workshop manual online to buy in PDF format
Amazed it is not available... will need the torque specs ect.... and what not to do.

Thanks

somebody here on the forum has a PDF format available of the 2017 ZL1 shop manual...otherwise get the Helms flash drive format for PC only. All data has a subscription which likely has the information needed which isn't that expensive...like $19.99 for a month and upload everything you need.
https://www.alldata.com/diy-us/en/fi...plan?vid=56907