Automatic Transmission Fluid Change

[strutto]

Anyone know the correct procedure for changing the auto fluid in a 33GTS25T?

IE:

Type of fluid? (Dexron III?)

Litres needed?

Drain point?

Fill point?

Tranny Cooler?

Did a search but to no avail...

TIA

[skyla]

The best idea is to take it to an auto transmission service place, the trans needs to be flushed, otherwise you will only be removing about 60% of the old fluid, alot of fluid is held in the torque converter. Having the trans flushed removes 95% of the old fluid from the system, including tranny cooler.

I have serviced an auto once, and in the end it cost me just about as much as what it would have done if I had it done by the professionals, and I couldn't get all that old fluid out.

[strutto]

Cool, thanks, good info... But was wondering if it possible to do at home? ie flush entire system...

Don't trust workshops at all, none of em... Been burnt too many times, seen too much too many times...

[skyla]

You can sort of flush the system, but not to the extent that the service shops can do, you could proberly get around 80% of the old fluid out with a bit of mucking around. unfortunatly you will end up wasting alot of fresh trans fluid in the process.

The whole auto trans system holds 8.3L when completly empty, but if you plan to do any sort of flush you will need more fluid.

There are a few different ways you can service the trans at home, it's not that difficuilt to do.

1) Is by simply draining the fluid and topping up with new fluid, this will only remove the old fluid in the pan.

2) Is to drain the old fluid out of the trans, top up with fresh fluid, take the car for a 5 - 10 min drive to get the new fluid circulating the whole system, wait till trans cools so you don't get burnt, then drain the fluid out of the pan again. put bung back in and fill with fresh fluid, this should remove around 80% of the old fluid.

3) This service is about the best you can do at home, and requires abit more work. To do this sort of service you will need to buy an auto service kit, it should include a trans filter, and a new trans pan gasket. You will also need a clean place to work, as you don't want any dust to get into the trans, when you remove the bottom plate of the trans and replace the trans filter.

Drain the old trans fluid as above, and refill with fresh fluid, then take the car for a drive to circulate the fluid, wait till trans cools so you don't get burnt, drain fluid again. Remove trans pan, making sure no dust can get into the trans. Change the trans filter. Next remove any trace of the old cork gasket off the pan etc. Clean any sludge off the bottom of the pan with a clean paper towel, clean off any metal filings from the magnets on the bottom of the pan, once clean replace magnets to original position change gasket and put back together, making sure not to over tighten the bolts holding the pan on, or it will leak. Replace pan bung, and fill trans with fresh fluid, check trans fluid levels when warm to make sure they are correct.

hope that helps

[hippy]

is there any type of fluid that u can get so that its much better for the trans? i mean give u smoother shifts, lets u stall higher? kinda like a magic auto trans fluid??

[Jetdat]

you are better off taking it to an auto speacialist as they use high pressure to drain the torque converter.

its not worth the hassle to do it half as good at home.

[Guest RedLineGTR]

Question. Basically all the fluid in the auto trans circulates from the pan to the torque converter etc. BUt when u drain it you only get the stuff out of the pan not out of the torque converter..Yes? So basically when u put the new stuff in it will still mix with the old stuff in the torque converter. So the oil will be newer but not as good hence the old oil still in thier that gets mixed with the new stuff. IS that right??

[R31man]

Another way of doing it takes a bit longer and a bit more fluid but does a good job is to remove the auto trans cooler hoses and place the pressure hose in to an old tin to drain the old fluid and put the return line in a container of fresh auto trans fluid to put new fluid in to the system.

Start the engine and let it run until the fluid coming out of the pressure line is a nice red color to make sure all the old fluid is out and top up to the correct level afterward.

This makes sure the pan and torque converter are flushed.

R31man

[Guest RedLineGTR]

How many litres does the auto trans take

Fully Drained = 8.3L (is that Right?)

When drained normaly without the toque converter???

[strutto]

Thanks guys... Exactly what I wanted to know...

Skyla: Great info again

Jetdat: You got me thinking now...

R31man: I was looking at my tranny cooler the other night thinking exactly that... Has anyone successfully performed this?

hippy: I don't think there is a "Magic Auto Fluid" Castrol make a good fluid that is reccomended for Nissans, is fully synthetic, has better temperature handling, and is mega expensive... $65 for 4L !!!! So if we need more than 8 to flush it plus a bit more to spill on the floor thats around $200 worth of fluid. OUCH. Gunna call Nissan next week and get a price on Nissan MATIC D.

Might also see if I can befriend an auto technician nearby

[R31man]

I have done it quite a few times with no problems at all. Works like a charm and is heaps easier, effective and a lot less messy, than removing the pan. You still have to change the filter, gasket etc. at the recommended interval though.

BTW Nissan Matic D isn't real cheap. I use it in my S3 R31. I got stung around $13 a litre from the local Nissan dealership. But that's in Tassie so I'm not sure if there is extra for freight etc. Castrol Transmax Z is exactly the same stuff but a lot cheaper.

R31Man

[strutto]

Cool... I might have to shop around for the Transmax Z as Supercheap want $16 per litre for it...

Do Repco, Global, et al have the filter and pan gaskets readily available?

[skyla]

Originally posted by RedLineGTR

Question. Basically all the fluid in the auto trans circulates from the pan to the torque converter etc. BUt when u drain it you only get the stuff out of the pan not out of the torque converter..Yes? So basically when u put the new stuff in it will still mix with the old stuff in the torque converter. So the oil will be newer but not as good hence the old oil still in thier that gets mixed with the new stuff. IS that right??

yes to all above questions.

[skyla]

Originally posted by RedLineGTR

How many litres does the auto trans take

Fully Drained = 8.3L (is that Right?)

When drained normaly without the toque converter???

As far as I know 8.3L is correct, that pretty much what I can interpret from my japanese owners hand book.

Sorry don't know how many litres is held in the pan.