Leaderboard

that'll be the end of weird status updates like ' my shoelace got tangled in the engine cooling fan' , ' i accidentally dropped a potato in the wiper fluid resevoir' etc

Yes. You need to remove used fluid but emptying the gear box is not the way to do it. For most auto transmissions you can follow following DIY steps. 1. Note the fluid capacity of the box. It is in the region of 6 - 8 litres for most common cars. Buy the required amount of fluid with one to two litres in excess. 2. Identify the fluid output line from the fluid cooler to the gear box. If you are not sure of it, disconnect any one of the lines, keep a bucket below to capture spilling fluid, and get someone to start the engine for just a few seconds to identify the output side. 3. Run the engine until it comes to its working temperature range. 4. Drain fluid by removing the drain plug. Usually only about 2 - 3L will be drained out. Rest of the fluid will be retained in the transconverter and valve body. Allow to drain for a couple of hours if possible unless you intend to execute Step 5 below. Otherwise skip to Step 6. Fix the drain plug back. 5. (Optional) Remove the fluid sump, inspect and clean the magnets, inspect and replace fluid filter and fix the sump back with a new packing. Inspect the magnets and filter for metal and fiber shavings. That will give you an idea of the state of the gear box. This step may be only necessary in every other fluid change or if the fluid is severely discolored . 6. Remove the fluid output line from the fluid cooler. Connect it to a clear plastic tubing (usually a 3/8 or 1/4 inch diameter one from a hardware shop will do but check the inner diameter of the tube first). Keep the other end of the clear tube in a bucket of 4 to 6 L capacity to capture drained fluid. Plug the free end of the fluid return inlet to the gear box just to create an additional vacuum when the fluid is drained out. Make sure that any dirt and debris do not make their way into the gear box during this process. 7. Keep a funnel (some cases a long neck one or a tube attached to a normal funnel may be necessary) and fluid cans ready to pour in as and when you empty the cans. 8. Fill up the gear box to the top mark of the dip stick and get someone to start the engine. Go on filling fluid as the used fluid in the transconverter is being drained out now. Keep an eye on the clear tube connected to the fluid cooler output for a change in the fluid color from dark to clear. As soon as new fluid comes out through the clear tube stop the engine. 9. Fix the cooler lines back, start the engine and with the engine running adjust the fluid level to the mark on the dip stick. The procedure above is somewhat generalized but should be good for most common auto transmissions. (Hope I didn't miss out on any details). Edit: Forgot to add a detail to step 8. While adding new fluid with the engine running, get someone to change the gears from P to the bottom and all the way back again to P pausing at each gear for a couple of seconds.

If the leak is through the sump packing it is not a big deal. I hope the packing was replaced with a new one during the overhaul. However, before replacing with a new packing the sump must be checked for warping and dents particularly at the mounting holes. Once they are corrected there is no reason for fluid to leak through the sump packing. However, the leak can be from other places like connection to the oil cooler. This must be checked with the engine running as Crosswind explained above. But take care if you decide to go under the car with the engine running and gear in D!

A good way to speed up fluid draining out is to remove the filler bolt or dipstick (whichever exists) before taking out the drain plug. This increases the flow of oil from the drain outlet depending on the design of the transmission.

A new car is always a new car, no matter how you look at it.

Yep there is a procedure, if you talk to a driving school they would be able to guide you. Good luck, hope you get a driving license soon