ATF Fluid Refill - Handy Tip

[Simon Jones]

Yesterday I removed the transmission sump, cleaned the filter & removed the 'fur' from around the magnet. Having read previous posts about trying to use a funnel to pour the new fluid down the dipstick tube, I thought I'd try a different approach. From my local cheap tool shop I bought a Rolson siphon pump for under a £1. The outlet is a flexible pipe that is a snug fit into the top of the dipstick tube. It needs a few sqeezes on the bellows to get it going, but after that I think it took less than 2 minutes to transfer 4 litres of fluid, without making any mess. Smug rating: 9 out 10.

[Mike Jill and Emily]

Hi Simon,

Great idea - ATF oil change is on my to do asap list, I for one will follow your excellent idea

Mike

[mikeonb4c]

Excellent tip there Simon. . Don't know if we have a factsheet on ATF changing but your tip would sit nicely in it if so.

[oldgit]

Funny, I was about to ask if there was a simple way to top up the ATF fluid, Thanks a mill Simon

[ford tinny]

Hello, i think the auto box needs 6 litres this is from another post
[quote="keefysher"]

Did you clean the gearbox filter? There really is no point in only partly doing the job, by not cleaning the filter and leaving 2 litres of used fluid and crud above the filter you are defeating the object of changing the fluid. The fact sheet and manual says 4 litres, but the box takes 6litres with a full clean out.

If you did then put 6litres of ATF in it. If you didn't, recommend you start again and clean the filter then put 6litres in, no point in only partly doing the job.

If you only put 4 litres of ATF in and do not drive 20+miles before dipping the sump/pan, the dipstick will show full, when it isn't realy as you haven't got the correct quantity of fluid in it.

Carry 2x1 litre bottles of fluid with you, if after 200odd kms the gearbox goes into safe mode (ie the box will lock so as you cannot exceed 30mph on an incline no matter how much throttle you use) top it up with the 2 bottles. if you overfill it will only blow the excess out of the box. To clarify, topping up to 6 litres will fill the box.

I only know this from bitter experience. 4 litres on a fully emptied box including filter clean is not enough!!!

[Simon Jones]

Ford Tinny - thanks for the info from Keith. Actually I texted him whilst I was at the filling up stage last night to check on the qty. The filter seemed fairly clean, but there was quite a bit of metal 'fur' on the magnet. I'm actually considering fitting one inside the engine sump - can't do any harm.

I put 4 litres in, had a quick go thru all the gears. Checked in again this evening & it was on the max. After a 5 minute run, it seems to have dropped a little, so will check & top up again tomorrow. Got a few short trips planned for the next few days, so will keep checking & topping up as required.

I've not noticed any difference in gear changes, but it was already very smooth before I changed it, so it's more for peace of mind rather than to fix any problems.

[ford tinny]

Hello,
Will be changing AT Fluid on mine tomorrow and was reading up on how to do when i came across the 6 litre post then i read your post but you seem to be well informed. As for magnets i am going to use computer hardrive magnets for both sumps, i am also using same magnets on my fuel line ( don't know if it makes any change on fuel performance but worth a try!!!!)

[Simon Jones]

You should find a big round magnet stuck on a 'dimple' in the sump - it's just stuck there by its own magnetism so can be removed easily. Have a tarpaulin or something similar under the gearbox. Even if you dont spill any, it will still drip out from the mechanical bits once the sump is off. I had a old sheet of chipboard handy for this purpose.

Be careful of the O-ring on the round inlet to the filter - I nearly lost mine when I was washing it out.

It's not a tricky job, but it's certainly a messy one. It took me about 2 hours, but that included getting it up on ramps, waiting for it to drain out, cleaning the sump & filter, drying the filter (I'd used a water-based parts washer, so hairdryer was used to drive out any moisture). If I was doing it for a second time, then round about an hour would seem about right.

BTW - budget for 6 litres, but I reckon start with 4, then check level, run it & engage all the gears a few times. I'm sure mine will need some more to bring the level up once I've used it more, but its currently still on the half way point.

[Mike Jill and Emily]

Thanks for this post guys, as I said mine is due a change - I get an incredible amount of creep and the gearchanges are a bit obvious and I am hoping that this will be the cure.

Then it will be Diff oil change

[Simon Jones]

Just found some excellent info from Dolly in another thread about the correct procedure for checking the level:

"The procedure goes like this.Go for a drive,get everything to working temperature,stop,engage handbrake.With the engine running,leave in N for a couple of minutes.Move gear shift through the range from L1= P and back again,not fast about 5 seconds between each gear.do this three times.Move gear shift to D wait 1 minute.Wipe dipstick and check level.Hope this helps"

Full details can be seen on: http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... &sk=t&sd=a