Location of filler holes for manual tranny?

[mikey]

It's Labor Day weekend, so I'm laboring on the Tercel. It's a 4WD wagon, but the tranny was probably replaced years ago, so who knows what year it is.

I've not been able to locate a thread on the forum with a photo of the location of the filler holes on my transmission, so if there is a good one I've missed, please someone show me where! The location shown in the FSM is not apparent to me, and the drawing there does not seem to completely match my car. It's a filthy mess under there, so who knows what I'm missing.

I've located the three drain plugs; the two forward ones are 24mm and the rear one is slightly angled and my 13/16" socket loosened it. The FSM shows the filler location as several inches behind the third plug. What size should it be? I found one just behind the middle drain plug, on the passenger side and upward, which is 24mm. Is this a middle filler hole and can I use it?

Also, should the car be level while filling? If I raise the front end to be able to crawl under, it would seem that I wouldn't be able to get the full amount of gear oil into the tranny. I don't have a lift or way to raise the whole car, but if I know that I need to put 4.1 quarts in there, would it be OK to raise one side of the car only, for access?

Any help would be appreciated!

[LittleRed4wd]

The rear plug is a 19mm I believe. I like to jack up the whole front of the car and fill it from the front(What FSM recommends), you could do just one side if you've only got one jack stand. Be sure to back the rear drain plug out about 8 turns while filling.

[mikey]

I think I've got it figured out. The drawing in the FSM shows using the REAR plug to fill, which I couldn't find. I have since seen that lots of folks here recommend the front one, which was so covered up with crud that I only found it a few minutes ago. It's just an inch or so behind the axle, no? I'll leave the front end raised for the entire procedure. I'm gonna try a hose run down through the engine compartment with a funnel on top to fill it up. I found a gallon size container of oil at O'Reillys, so I'll just put the whole thing in, along with a bit more from a quart container, and a bit more to match the expected spills!

[ARCHINSTL]

SEE this link!
https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php? ... 837#p51837
Many of these plugs, whether filler or drain, have been boogered over the years; they are pretty soft metal.
And - don't forget to loosen the rear drain plug 7-8 turns; it is necessary.
After it overflows from the rear filler, I've found it possible to get in the last of 4.1 qts via the filler hole on the left side.
Tom M.

[mikey]

I must be one lucky SOB, as all of the drains/fillers I have found came loose with the sockets I have, and not one bloody knuckle yet!

Thanks...

[xirdneh]

I must be one lucky SOB, as all of the drains/fillers I have found came loose with the sockets I have, and not one bloody knuckle yet!

Thanks...

the recommended fill hole is on the right side
getting a socket on it is hard cause the exhaust pipe is along side
i use a 15/16" box end wrench
I also use a pump that fits gear oil containers
i put a small sharp turn 90 deg brass fitting on the end of the hose
cause its hard to get it in there

[speedgraphic]

Dang, I thought the recommended fill was on the driver's side? Someone posted a very helpful picture of where all the drain and fill holes are in the tranny/transaxle but I can't seem to find it myself...

[xirdneh]

Dang, I thought the recommended fill was on the driver's side? Someone posted a very helpful picture of where all the drain and fill holes are in the tranny/transaxle but I can't seem to find it myself...

its about 3 inches aft and 2 inches above the 19mm plug on the bottom that you are supposed to back out 8 turns

[mikey]

I found the filler you describe, and there wasn't clearance enough to get my socket over it, but no matter. I used the one behind the axle on the driver's side, and all went well. The tube I fed the oil in with was only 1/4" inside diameter, so it took a while to fill, but probably because of the slowness, not a drop spilled out of the filler hole.

I measured what drained out at under three quarts (yes, I let it drain from all three holes for a long time, until no more would come out), so I was low by a quart or more. The car shifts smoothly now, and I imagine that a possibly imagined whine is now gone. The old oil looked awful, but there were no pieces of anything in it, and only some small filings on the two magnets inside the plugs. I suppose I might do the whole thing again in a few thousand miles to clean out any more sludge in there, but for now I am happy.

Thanks again for this forum. It gives amateurs like me a lot of confidence!

[ARCHINSTL]

That rear filler plug is where the box end comes in handy.
Next time filling - get the "gallon-sized" squirt/pump device; any auto store sells them. An example is http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... luid+pumps
There is also a less-expensive version for one-quart bottles.
Like xirdneh, I used an elbow on the end to facilitate delivery.
Tom M.

[MR2Di4]

Just got done with my tranny reinstallation and instead of filling from the back right plug I put in the bulk of the oil from the front left filler, remembering to back off the 19mm rear plug 8 turns. Since I only had a cheapo pump it took awhile, but it also gave the gear oil time to settle throughout the case. Even then, I only got about 3.5qts in so I opened up the rear right filler and pumped in more until the front filler began to dribble to make sure that all sections had been filled.

MR2Di4