tranny oil change...

[bing]

i thought i'd start a new topic instead of continuing in another one that was veeringin this direction.

i have to change the tranny fluid but i was just at nissan and they said  $89.99 plus tax. mind you it is canadian.

i want to do it myself and it seems like it has been done many times by dudes round here.

i read it through adn it seems easy btu do i have to disassemble anything to get at the tranny, if that is the case then perhaps i should just take it in.

[AceInHole]

Setup:
lift car enough to get access to the transmission from under the car.

changing tranny oil (at least in 5spd trannies):
1.  remove oil fill plug
2.  remove oil drain plug and drain oil into a large container.
3.  replace oil drain plug
4.  fill tranny oil into oil fill hole untill oil is level with oil fill hole (assuming the car is on a level surface, or level on jack stands).  Basically, fill untill you can't fill anymore.
5.  replace oil fill plug.
6.  (optional... i guess) repeat for differential.

Note:  you may want (need, actually) to get a hand pump to fill oil with.

[camppain]

why would you need to replace the fill and drain plug that is not needed. what you should do is put some rtv around the drain and fill plug when putting them back on. this way it prevents it from having a slow and steady leak. make sure you use good stuff not cheap blue crap. trust me. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

*edit*ohh and bing in reply to your question about tails if you have aim or msn im me i have the info in my profile ive just been lazy in replying to pm's sorry

[Yosho]

I could be wrong, but I think he probably meant to "screw drain plug back in." &nbsp;He just said replace (as in place it back in... not go get a new one). &nbsp;I think. &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

[RedSuns]

i found that the easiest way to fill the tranny is to have it on level jackstands with the side plug out and fill the tranny thru the shifter.....but you do need a pair of snap ring pliers....

[DuffMan]

If you are extremely lazy like me, its easy.

Never jacked the car. Just removed the drain thingy with a 1/2 inch drive ratchet.

Took off all the boots for the shifters. Actually the knob was stuck so the boots never got completely removed.

Never removed shifter. Theres a sort of slot in the ball of the shifter that lets the fluid drain right in. Took longer to get in, but saved time in not taking everything apart. Obviously a funnel is neccessary.

Capacity is 5 and 1/8 pints or something like that.

[bing]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DuffMan @ July 27 2002,04:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If you are extremely lazy like me, its easy.

Never jacked the car. Just removed the drain thingy with a 1/2 inch drive ratchet.

Took off all the boots for the shifters. Actually the knob was stuck so the boots never got completely removed.

Never removed shifter. Theres a sort of slot in the ball of the shifter that lets the fluid drain right in. Took longer to get in, but saved time in not taking everything apart. Obviously a funnel is neccessary.

Capacity is 5 and 1/8 pints or something like that.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
sounds like the easiest way to me... plus i think i'll change my shifter and boot. i have had &nbsp;a nice one sitting around for a while now.

[240 2NR]

A few additions to this post based on my experience

A hand pump is cheap, and jacking up you car is easy, though to do this properly you will need 4 jackstands (or still less money than taking it to the dealer). &nbsp;Get the car up and level and remove the drain plug with a 1/2" square socket head (no socket, you may want some degreaser to clean the hole so as not to ruin the head, I used an extension so the torque wrench wouldn't get all nasty). &nbsp;Drain to a catch container and clean off metal shavings from drain plug. &nbsp;Reinstall plug and remove top plug to open filler hole. &nbsp;Fill with fluid until the level is just below the bottom of the opening (that is the proper full level, check with your finger). &nbsp;Over filling is not too dangereous as the first few times you drive, the vent at the top of the trans will just leak out the excess fluid and make the underside of you car all messy and the same with the floor (guess what my friend told me about the proper fill height just after I finished). &nbsp;This means if you fill from above you must measure first and are assuming to have removed all the original fluid.

In the end with fluid and tools if you don't have them, it may be cheaper to go to the dealer. &nbsp;But you will learn more and most likely use a better fluid (or bring some better fluid with you to the dealer) than if you have it done. &nbsp;I used Amsoil series 2000 75-MT90 and have had no problems. &nbsp;I love it. &nbsp;Did the diff at the same time. &nbsp;Others have commented that Mobil1 should be avoided on the trans. &nbsp;Aside from the stock fluid, that's as much as I can comment on different kinds.