Auto gearbox fluid change

[Townaceclive]

Well I've nearly had Toyah a year so I though I'd see if there was any fluid in the box.
Dip stick said halfway between the marks so I pops off to get 2 litres of DextronII.
Drain the sump, 14mm bolt that has DII on it, into a bowl, and it takes a long time.
Did not have a new washer so just refitted.
Measured the old fluid, by pouring into an empty oil container with a measure up the side, as 1 and a half litres ish.
Now the fun part putting the new fluid in. The 2 one litre bottles I bought have a flexi pull out spout but there is no way it can reach the filler tube. I have used a large syringe before but that is somewhere safe at the moment. I found a length of hose that fits inside the filler/dipstick tube and that the bottle spout fits inside and away I went. One and a half litres later I replaced the dip stick and went around the block, rechecked the level and decided to stick the remaining half litre in. Another spin round the block and this time almost to the upper mark for hot.
I guess the amount to raise the level from the lower to the upper is one litre? You should only need 2 litres if you are just draining the sump.
I checked the old fluid for any bits but could not see or feel any, sump removal and filter clean can wait another 17 years!

The outcome well it was BMW like before, I think it is more silky Rolls Royce now as you can't tell gear changes by movement, only engine tone and rev counter.

Oh and the fluid appeared dark red on the dip stick but black in the bowl and I got a craving for toast from the smell (just bought a Bloomer!). May do another one in a few weeks to see what colour it is then.

[Old Bird]

Mine was changed a few weeks ago....and it was black. It had been black for some time....all through the runs to Woodvale and Brean last year...Earls Barton and Peterborough.... and come to think of it, it was black the year before that too...... so I did notice a difference too in the smoother changes....

I use a fishtank size pipe with a funnel on the end....

Ang x

[mr mince]

Done a few changes like this and still seeing the benefits with each one (although the first was the biggest change)

Same as Ang I've got a bit of thick plastic hose stuck on the end of a funnel, perfect fit in the hole and almost stays upright on it's own

[Eastern Counties]

Having read this thread and never having had an automatic before, I decided to check the level on my Masterace. With everything cold (i.e., before starting in the morning), the dipstick level was above the highest mark for 'HOT'. Should I drain some out? Gear changes are a bit slow when cold, but very smooth when warmed up, although changing into top (3rd) can be a bit of a thud sometimes.

Also, what function does the reservoir have? Is it a sort of expansion tank? And how come you get a dipstick reading from the gearbox when their is a reservoir? Or aren't they connected? As I said, I've never had an automatic before so all a bit of a mystery.

Thanks

John

[jrobertsondj]

Thanks you've reminded me to check mine...

[Townaceclive]

Auto box must be read with the engine running.
Best done when hot and been used.
A lot of fluid goes into the Torque converter which is why the engine must be running.
Don't know what expansion tank you mean unless it's the coolant one?

What colour was the fluid? Helps to drip it onto a white kitchen towel to see the true colour.

[Eastern Counties]

Thanks for the advice - lots to learn! I'll check the level again - with the engine running - when I get back later today.

As to the colour, I would describe it as nut brown, about the colour of fence treatment.

As to the reservoir ... a bit red-faced now ... having followed the piping, it must be for the power steering pump. The lid says use Dextron ATF. Very clean fluid up to the mark.

I used to have Citroens, so I'm used to one big LHM hydraulic fluid tank that did everything.

Thanks again

John

[Townaceclive]

Fluid needs changing. Smell it it should smell of burnt toast.

Ah power steering reservoir - I must check mine sometime, I've never had a problem with all the Toyotas that I've had so needs checking!

[Old Bird]

Change it John....don't do the same as me and run on black fluid for years....

Ang x

[Eastern Counties]

OK, I'm going to change it. One last question: re. the washer on the sump plug is this the crushable copper type, and is the diameter about the same as a 14mm bolt? Just so that I can buy a new one before draining.
Thanks again
John