ATF change *DON'T DELETE*

[meek.tv]

just noticed this thread after posting the above post about the pump

i dont think i have the skills to do the full jobbie but i reckon i can manage a pump job
anyone reckomend a good un?

[bigdaddycain]

I used the now legendary Pela 6000.

[manners]

Dont need a pump on mine its got a sump plug

[missfixit70]

Just did my mates ATF, managed to get more out this time. Pumped it out as before, dropped the pan & filter (& some of the contents over me as the filter was fairly well gunged ), then disconnected the two hoses to the cooler



Once it had finished draining the residue from the hoses & the top of the 'box, I blew through the cooler pipework as before & then I stuck a piece of hose on the upper connection into the box & blew that through, got loads out of the lower connection. When I refilled it took about 7 litres.

[mikeonb4c]

Just did my mates ATF, managed to get more out this time. Pumped it out as before, dropped the pan & filter (& some of the contents over me as the filter was fairly well gunged ), then disconnected the two hoses to the cooler



Once it had finished draining the residue from the hoses & the top of the 'box, I blew through the cooler pipework as before & then I stuck a piece of hose on the upper connection into the box & blew that through, got loads out of the lower connection. When I refilled it took about 7 litres.

Interesting update. Did you have to fit a new gasket or are you confident in saying that - with care - you shouldn't need to go this. Also (just to remind me), did you use any sealant (which?) on the mating faces when reuniting them?

[missfixit70]

No new gasket needed, it's come off with the pan on both that I've done. I didn't use any sealant, just make sure it's clean on both surfaces & then a just a smear of clean ATF.

[BongoMTBer]

Cheers Kirsty for this. Just done mine and it feels goooooood!

[Alacrity]

Sorry to disagree here but a new pan gasket should be fitted unless it proves difficult to get hold of one. They are easy to get - admittedly you would have to have it posted to you so would have to order in advance but at a cost of around £3.50 inc. vat + postage I can’t for the life of me see the logic of not changing it. Would you put an old head gasket back? I doubt it, the risk is to great given the costs involved. So why risk a leaking transmission burning itself out on a long journey for the sake of a tuppenny ha’penny gasket??? A rebuild on a transmission is probably more than a head job.

I wouldn’t dream of doing a transmission service on a customer’s vehicle & put the old gasket back, it's just bad practice. I know it is being done with success but that doesn't make it right. Sorry Kirsty.

[missfixit70]

That's fair enough, I did mine after reading how others had done theirs, comparing a gearbox pan gasket to a head gasket is a bit OTT though in my opinion. I have an engineering background & I'm quite happy to reuse it if it looks ok, it's not subject to high pressures, but if you can supply the gaskets for £3.50, that's waaay cheaper than I've ever seen them, may be worth having a word with Ian about supplying the club shop?.
From looking at the gasket on the bongo, it looks like it may be glued onto the bottom pan (especially as every one I've done or heard about being done, the gasket comes off with the pan), which in my experience may result in more damage trying to remove the old gasket. I've checked the ones I've done & no leaks at all. I will quite happily carry on as I have been, but that's just my opinion .

[splitpin]

When I did mine the gasket came off with the pan and seemed to be well stuck on, I was in the same opinion as missfixit in that removing the old one could cause problems even after fitting new gasket, so just reused existing one. Not a drop leaking after 18 months.

[Alacrity]

I have emailed Ian re. the pan gaskets & filters a short while back.

I hear what you say about my comparison the the head gasket, I can't argue with your logic there, BUT if the pan gasket does leak then a tranny rebuild is a lot of wonga & even I don't want to do my own!

There are two types of gaskets, cork/rubber (you see them on eBay) & what are called 'Farpak' which are like an impregnated cardboard (though clearly not) these ones melt the glue & stick themselves to the surfaces. Very good gaskets.

[Alacrity]

removing the old one could cause problems

????????? How does that work then?

[missfixit70]

As it showed no signs of budging on any that I've done, it seems to be well fixed to the pan, so I'd worry that in trying to remove it, it would break up leaving bits stuck on the pan, thus having to scrape it off possibly resulting in damage to the pan which may well lead to leakage when reassembled.
I don't know if this is the case with the bongo ATF sump pan, but I've had gaskets before that have been a bu66er to remove & resulted in damaged sealing faces no matter how careful you are. I'm just speaking from my experiences, not questioning your working practices.

[BongoMTBer]

I would just like to add, in my professional capacity as an aircraft engineer, I would not reuse a gasket. However, on my own vehicle, if it is servicable then I have no problem. I would not, however reuse a head-gasket. After refitting, I will always carry out a functional/leak check so I am more than happy on this ocasion to have saved myself a few £££. I have lost nothing.

[missfixit70]

I've since spoken to several people that have done their ATF, not one has replaced the gasket, nor have any had any leaks, one of these people has done his several times in his 6 years of ownership (he likes to overmaintain waxoyls it every few months, but his bongo is still mint )
It's entirely up to the individual.