Tips for automatic fluid change?

[MarkWillenbrock]

I'm about to change the automatic transmission fluid, as it's gone black - possibly as a result of the police towing the vehicle without putting the transfer box in neutral (moral - don't lend cars to friends who crash them into taxis).

It was changed possibly 20,000 miles before, and normally lasts much longer. The gearbox is behaving normally, except that it occasionally locks up late - the same problem that the last fluid change remedied.

As I'm in Morocco, both filter and gasket are unobtainable, so we'll have to do our best to clean the filter (compressed air? petrol?), and reuse the old gasket or make one.

The last time it took much less than the Haynes manual says (nearly 10 litres).

I think this maybe because we didn't drain the torque converter separately?

Any hints or tips appreciated. I'd like to get it right this time!

[V8_Disco]

is it a 300 or TD5? Mine is a V8 Disco 2, with this model you have th fill it while the engine is running with another pair of hands moving the Box up and down

I cut down a fuel line and attached a funnel i tiden this into a spair braket on the bulkhead then poored, stoping every now and then to pull the hose out of the auto box and look for the beed of ATF comming out

Aidan

[MarkWillenbrock]

Well, that's a bombshell; engine running?!

I've never done that before, although I know that you need engine running and the selector moved through all the positions to obtain a correct oil level check.

The last change, without the engine running, always resulted in an over full reading on the dipstick.

Presumably the 'box is the same, ZF HP 22?

[TEMPL4R]

You always check an auto box running, the torque convertor needs charging. It emptys to halfway when it stands.

Chris

[lynalldiscovery]

Drain out what you can engine off!, and refill with the exact same amount then recheck the level with the engine running, done my old one this way many times no bother, you can never get all the old oil out so maybe change it again in a few miles time.



Lynall

[lynalldiscovery]

I changed the filter when i first got it and never changed it again, just changed the 4 to 5litres that comes out of the box, every engine oil change, remember oil cheap engines and gearboxs bloody dear.



Lynall

[discojak]

I have a dead Auto TD5, (Blown Turbo) and may have to get it to a garage by towing it. Is this a problem and what do I have to do to make sure that I don't damage the gearbox?

[MarkWillenbrock]

Make sure the transfer box lever is in neutral. It's essential; just putting the auto selector in 'N' is not enough!

[MarkWillenbrock]

Well, so far successful; thanks for all your help.

I didn't realise that the box does indeed have a drain plug in the sump, as well as on the bottom of the torque converter. We got 6.5 litres out cold, engine off.

I thought the fill was from the dipstick tube, but there is a fill down there too; you need a long piece of hose. I think I was imagining the GM400 under the XJ-S, though anythings possible...

Noticed the exhaust bolts had fallen out again on the manifold downpipe joint, so I haven't actually driven it yet.

Last time the fluid was done it jammed in first gear when cold (until you hit maximum revs - not kind on a cold engine). Fingers crossed it will be happier this time.