Bongo Gearbox Fluid Change

[Long]

Hi,

i recently did a ATF (Automatic transmission fluid) change at the shop (not a flush), the mechanic at the garage informed me that there was no problems with the transmission, they also dropped the pan, then did the change.

when i got the bongo back i checked the colour of the fluid and it was still brown, like they didn't even change it.

i am wondering if i should change it again? or leave it? it is a light brown right now. before the change it was light brown as well.

when i did a change in a different car, the fluid became bright red.

[mikeWalsall]

There is more fluid in the toque converter than the sump ..

This is my V6 Alphards fluid .. left old fluid .. middle after changing the contents of the sump and re filling with fresh .. right fresh unused fluid ..

[Long]

Hi,
Thank you for the helpful picture.

so i am guessing there is no need to change it again?

[mikeWalsall]

The best way is to pump out the old fluid via the oil cooler pipes .. BUT .. it's a two man job as fluid as a measured amount of fluid is to be pumped out ..engine stopped ..box re filled with the same amount of fluid .. engine started .. pump out ... engine stopped .. re fill with the same measured amount of fluid .......

Keep doing it until only fresh red fluid is being pumped out ..

[fatcatlawyer]

When my mechanic suggestef this he asked me for 60 litres of transnission fluid new filter and gasket. Could not get filter so he said he would clean the old one. Somehow he connected a pipe from the new container to the filter connector and then ran the engin going up and down the gearbox till new oil was coming through. Then he fited cleaned filter and sump and filled the same to right level. It is awful seeing that new cheery coloured oil going straight into his recyle oil bin but the difference was amazing, once the job was done.
Yours Ian G.

[mikeWalsall]

I put my valve block / debris filter in the dishwasher came out like brand new ..

There are garages now with vacuum cleaning systems that 'flush' out the old auto fluid .. I assume via the cooler pipes going to the bottom of the radiator ..

[kevham]

I've flushed ATF via oil cooler on other cars (old Volvo's and Mercedes). It can sometimes be done on your own depending on how fast it comes out. You need to measure the amount that comes out each time and refill that amount so that the level in the gearbox remains fairly constant. It takes ages and you use vast quantities of ATF but generally, the gearbox is transformed.

[cmm303]

When my mechanic suggestef this he asked me for 60 litres of transnission fluid new filter and gasket. Could not get filter so he said he would clean the old one. Somehow he connected a pipe from the new container to the filter connector and then ran the engin going up and down the gearbox till new oil was coming through. Then he fited cleaned filter and sump and filled the same to right level. It is awful seeing that new cheery coloured oil going straight into his recyle oil bin but the difference was amazing, once the job was done.
Yours Ian G.

I think I see how this would be done. In the pic below, the filter (large flat shiny shape) is still in place. It has a round spigot (2nd pic) which inserts into the gearbox (top right, top pic). With the filter removed a similar sized pipe would be inserted to take fresh ATF from a can. I presume the "used" ATF just falls into the sump normally so a big bowl is needed to catch this as new ATF is sucked up through the pipe used by the filter.

[fatcatlawyer]

Thats it.
Ian G.

[mikeWalsall]

My sump as a drain plug and magnet .. the sump went into the dish washer as well ..!!

[cmm303]

My sump as a drain plug and magnet .. the sump went into the dish washer as well ..!!

Aren't you the lucky one with a sump plug . Everyone will want one now!

[mikeWalsall]