RoverTide
Well-Known Member
Haven't heard of that, but I left mine in park when I did the pan swap, solenoids, and mechatronic sleeve.
LR4 Transmission Fluid Change: Pan Swap Option
- Thread starter Pfunk951
- Start date
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Al Pizzica
Full Access Member
Yup, Park is fine. Ignore that part of the Aston Martin links. Lots of things are different. I will post when done.
Al Pizzica
Full Access Member
Just finished this project along with the Sonnax zip kit for the valve body. She is just purring now. I was having rough downshifts for highway passing and they are completely gone. I'll make a separate post about the ZF6 zip kit but a few things for here:
-The @ryanjl amazon ratchet is a must have for reinstallation of the metal trans pan with the 5mm hex bolts from AB.
-if you keep track of how much fluid comes out religiously it makes it 100% easier to refill because you know what came out.
-the dog crate pan tip is critical not just for the mess but measuring how much came out.
-refill everything you took out and then when the trans comes up to the right temp for fluid level you will be VERY close and not have to mess around too much with the hot exhaust.
-The @ryanjl amazon ratchet is a must have for reinstallation of the metal trans pan with the 5mm hex bolts from AB.
-if you keep track of how much fluid comes out religiously it makes it 100% easier to refill because you know what came out.
-the dog crate pan tip is critical not just for the mess but measuring how much came out.
-refill everything you took out and then when the trans comes up to the right temp for fluid level you will be VERY close and not have to mess around too much with the hot exhaust.
I have read the entire thread. Is it possible to siphon at least some of the old fluid out to minimize draining mess? I have only the large drain port located directly above the exhaust pipe. Was thinking of trying to bend a pipe to reach down through the fill port. How much will pour out of the fill hole with the engine not running?
If draining through the fill port, you could start with the engine running, put in your drain pipe and a catch pan, then turn it off. Once it stops draining down you could use a fluid extractor to get more I guess.
Al Pizzica
Full Access Member
The mess comes mostly when you remove the pan. This fluid has odd properties where it will just take hours and hours to stop oozing out of the underside of the valve body.
What filling tool do folks recommend to hook into the fill port? My idea of siphoning old fluid out does not work at all as I cannot insert the nylon tube from my extractor more than a half inch or so. I had hoped to avoid the mess of draining right over the exhaust pipe. I have given up on that idea. Now I need a proper fill tube, probably hook-shaped but rather small to adapt to the the hole without interfering with the valve body.I do not see a tool like that on anyones list.
Most filler pumps include a selection of adapter tubes. If you don't have a pump, you'll need to buy one, or fabricate something. I have the Extoil unit shown below, there are others with a similar design. Pretty sure I used adapter tube #43 or #43:
6-Liter Professional Transmission Fluid Pump Kit
6 Liter Capacity 8 Piece Transmission Adapter Set Pressure Based Operation Quick On/Off Valve at Pump & Adapter End Many modern automobiles use transmissions so-called "bottom-fill" ports for transmission fluid. This means that there is no way to pour transmission fluid into the transmission...
www.extoil.us
Much appreciated! I bought a Holt extractor/filler at HF. Not quite as nice as yours and no tools supplied. I may be able to use one of the Assenmacher nozzles I bought for my Aisins. Was just thinking such a famous tranny as the ZF 8 speed might have a dedicated filler nozzle.
