TRANNY FLUSH AND FILL

[Petros]

- take a pix of filling the rear hole from a squeezy quart bottle...

Hah, I have done that, no problem. I cheated; I put a long clear plastic 1/2" tube in the filler hole and attached it to the squeezy bottle up in the engine compartment. So I stood there like a normal person next to the front fender, squeezing the bottle, holding it over the distributor area near the firewall, watching the gear oil ooze its way down the clear tube into the filler hole. Trying to do that from under the car is a impossible.

[ARCHINSTL]

Of course, YOU used the logical way to fill it from a squeezy bottle (albeit into the front hole), but...
I was wondering if someone would realize the impossibility of filling it from underneath...
Tom M.

[Krunk]

Yeah - Thanks for setting it all straight - what's a "chamfer" - or a link, for that matter?
BTW - take a pix of filling the rear hole from a squeezy quart bottle...
Tom M.

I think you are thinking of camber, anyways, it is inside the hex of the wrench, the space between the corners. So if the bolt is 24MM then buy a 22 MM socket and grind the Chamfer off with a die grinder.

I am pretty sure I can boil water, stick the quart bottles in it(the water) so it heats up and flows better. Then I will just clam a piece of tubing I got laying around to the tip of the squeeze bottle...and squeeze. I thought about buying the gear gun thing but figured if I got the gear oil in the tranny who cares how much I get on myself?

Sounds simple enough.

[ARCHINSTL]

So if the bolt is 24MM then buy a 22 MM socket...

If only I thought you were being sarcastic...

I think you are thinking of camber, anyways...

See above...
Tom M.

P.S. A threaded rod that holds things together is called a bolt; a threaded rod that closes a hole is called a plug.

[Petros]

I think that is a mis -type. What he is talking about is in both sockets and box end wrenches they put a small amount of taper in the hex to ease the socket going over a bolt. But in the shallow head plug hex this taper, or chamfer, could allow you knock the corners off the plug hex. So you grind the tappered part out, giving you a sharp edge socket without any chamfer.

I have had no issues personally, I just use a box end wrench on the plug hex. I just make sure it is all the way on before I turn it.

[Krunk]

I think that is a mis -type. What he is talking about is in both sockets and box end wrenches they put a small amount of taper in the hex to ease the socket going over a bolt. But in the shallow head plug hex this taper, or chamfer, could allow you knock the corners off the plug hex. So you grind the tappered part out, giving you a sharp edge socket without any chamfer.

I have had no issues personally, I just use a box end wrench on the plug hex. I just make sure it is all the way on before I turn it.

I agree petros, with the right amount of care a regular wrench or socket can be used, also I have noticed the more expensive your sockets are the less of a chamfer they have. I believe the reason for this is cause they use a harder metal that doesnt "grab" the heads as much, so they slide on and off the head of the bolt/nut better, thus needing less chamfer

[takza]

Of course, YOU used the logical way to fill it from a squeezy bottle (albeit into the front hole), but...
I was wondering if someone would realize the impossibility of filling it from underneath...
Tom M.

The bottles work OK with the car up on ramps in the front and using the front hole to fill. Since you know how much it takes and you are putting the full amount in...you don't need to check the level?

The problem with using a vinyl tube is that you could easily be standing out there running gear oil all over the ground...hoses can slip out or off pretty easily?

If you take a bit of time to make up the PATENTED takza air assisted filler jug...you can let your 12V compressor do the work.

[Barto]

If you take a bit of time to make up the PATENTED takza air assisted filler jug...you can let your 12V compressor do the work.

At my old Shop I had to replace a radiator in a 2003 lincoln and ford said you need a special "rotunda" tool to fill the trans (which takes 14L of tranny fluid). basically the tool was a reservoir with air pressure applied and the fluid would flow out. ford wanted 700$, I made one out of a dasani bottle and a thread in tire valve. cost 2$ an have used it to fill many things since.

[ARCHINSTL]

Some years ago, inspired by takza's pressure bottle, I made one from an old fire extinguisher. It took 125psi, which is the max for my compressor. It held just over 3 quarts, and evacuated the entire amount in seconds - too fast on my first attempt...then I was able to modulate the flow using the extinguisher's flipper valve.
Then - I discovered tiny rust flakes in the bottle - it was made from steel. So, it was back to hand pumps - which have worked just fine.
I'd still like to find a suitable extinguisher for this; ones available in hardware stores are aluminum, but are not refillable.
I've been thinking of trying one of the gallon hand pressure sprayers for yards - dunno if their 45psi is enough for trans oil, though.
Tom M.

[splatterdog]

Some years ago, inspired by takza's pressure bottle, I made one from an old fire extinguisher. It took 125psi, which is the max for my compressor. It held just over 3 quarts, and evacuated the entire amount in seconds - too fast on my first attempt...then I was able to modulate the flow using the extinguisher's flipper valve.
Then - I discovered tiny rust flakes in the bottle - it was made from steel. So, it was back to hand pumps - which have worked just fine.
I'd still like to find a suitable extinguisher for this; ones available in hardware stores are aluminum, but are not refillable.
I've been thinking of trying one of the gallon hand pressure sprayers for yards - dunno if their 45psi is enough for trans oil, though.
Tom M.

Those garden sprayers are cheap enough to experiment. I thought all the refillable water/air extinguishers were stainless. The one I got at a garage sale for $5 was. And it held 2.5 gallons. That much pressurized gear oil would scare me a little. One little slip could be messy! I haven't kept a bottle of Dawn in the shower since I was a goober luber....

Many manufacturers have gotten service unfriendly. Scan tool and special procedures/tools for simple fluid checks are becoming normal along with all kinds of designer fluids. I guess dipsticks are too expensive/complicated. Stay away from VW six speed autos. Actually, that is covered by my stay away from anything they make policy. Those tranny's don't seem too reliable and takes $30 per liter trans fluid on top of special procedures. That trans has to be dissasembled to replace the filter! Sometimes the brand loyalty on those cars borders on insane. The old T4 just keeps looking better and better. And maybe I'm just getting old but "sync" on a car should only apply when you have multiple carbs.

For the T4, I just use a trans type funnel with the long plastic flexible hose thru the front hole. As far as the rear reservoir, it can flow in from the front just as good as from the back in the proper filler hole. Just make sure the 7-8 turn bolt is out when filling. Squeeze bottle method can work, just get an extra quart as getting it all out of the bottle is pretty tough at that angle.

More ways than one to skin this cat. Just get it done!

[ARCHINSTL]

OT, but - interesting you mentioned the VW...my neighbor just bought a really clean Jetta for his dotter's 16th birthday (!). It's a 2007 with 38K - loaded with everything. It, too, has the 6-speed. He paid somewhere between $13-15K...
Of course, I kept my mouth shut on my opinion of modern VWs, based on the experiences of former employees and a dotter's friend.
It will be interesting to hear his comments when he takes it in for trans & other fluid changes... Wow - $30/liter! How many does it take?
Tom M.

[splatterdog]

OT, but - interesting you mentioned the VW...my neighbor just bought a really clean Jetta for his dotter's 16th birthday (!). It's a 2007 with 38K - loaded with everything. It, too, has the 6-speed. He paid somewhere between $13-15K...
Of course, I kept my mouth shut on my opinion of modern VWs, based on the experiences of former employees and a dotter's friend.
It will be interesting to hear his comments when he takes it in for trans & other fluid changes... Wow - $30/liter! How many does it take?
Tom M.

I doubt she's complaining. Hopefully dad threw in maintenance! Your too nice Tom. Neighbor or close relative,I would let em have it. He must not have internet?http://www.myvwlemon.com/

[Krunk]

A friend of mine years ago converted a oxy tank to hold nitrous that he was stealing from his work(fun times), I am sure you could score an old OXY tank from some old lady, just screw the top off and put in any fitting you like. One of these tanks can hold a huge amount of pressure.

[takza]

You don't really need high pressure or flow...my cheapo 12V compressor works just fine...still using the same old plastic windshield fluid jug after 4-5 uses.

[splatterdog]

A friend of mine years ago converted a oxy tank to hold nitrous that he was stealing from his work(fun times), I am sure you could score an old OXY tank from some old lady, just screw the top off and put in any fitting you like. One of these tanks can hold a huge amount of pressure.

Talk about a one step flush! Bring a rainsuit. BTW, highly pressurized oil sometimes has to be removed surgically.

Nitrous is definitely fun. Had a 150+ hp carb plate on my 460 powered camper special. I sold that system to buy a weber.