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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: AJMBLAZER on June 17, 2005, 12:38:45 AM

Title: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans fluid?
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 17, 2005, 12:38:45 AM
Been a while since I had an auto trans so I'm a bit rusty at it.  The GV's also worth a lot more than my Ranger and I'm also driving it to Florida at the end of the month...so I need to be careful.

Any tips or tricks to changing it?
Anyone know how much fluid I'm going to need to add after a pan drop and filter change?  I'm using Mobil 1 synthetic ATF.

Cork gasket or RTV?

I hear I need to drop the front driveshaft to get the pan off, is this true?

etc...
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 20, 2005, 11:18:21 AM
Anybody?

Mine has a drain plug front and center...but there's a line coming off of the passenger side front of the tranny pan.  Anyone know what this is?  Trans cooler line?  Does it unplug from the pan?

I don't want to start pulling/pushing on this thing and damage something while I'm trying to get at the filter.
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: sergi on June 20, 2005, 09:58:21 PM
I'm sorry, but I've never even seen an auto suzuki, so any info wouldn't be very good would it? :-[

About that line, could it be a breather? Like the ones the diffs have?
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 20, 2005, 10:29:54 PM
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I'm sorry, but I've never even seen an auto suzuki, so any info wouldn't be very good would it? :-[

Hey, no problem man.  I wanted a stick but she just wouldn't go for it. ::)

Quote
About that line, could it be a breather? Like the ones the diffs have?

Good idea but those come out of the top of autos.  This is on the side of the pan.
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: ebewley on June 21, 2005, 01:59:39 AM
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Anybody?

Mine has a drain plug front and center...but there's a line coming off of the passenger side front of the tranny pan.  Anyone know what this is?  Trans cooler line?  Does it unplug from the pan?

I don't want to start pulling/pushing on this thing and damage something while I'm trying to get at the filter.


If you just want to change the oil and not the filter you can use that drain plug. The filter is located right inside that pan just like all autos. You would need to drain oil, disconnect cooler lines, and pull the pan to replace the filter. Reassemble and fill...

Hope this helps.

-Eric
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 21, 2005, 11:01:26 AM
So the cooler line just pulls out?  No fuel line type connections or anything?
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: blacknight on June 21, 2005, 02:15:02 PM
Why are you pulling the cooling line(s) out????  There a plug on the bottom of pan.
George
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 21, 2005, 02:17:12 PM
I want to pull the pan so I can change the filter.
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: blacknight on June 21, 2005, 02:20:15 PM
Also how many miles are on your GV??? Is the ATF still red?? or is a darker red/brown?  30,000 mile just change the ATF 60,000 + ATF and filter  would be what I would do.
George
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: blacknight on June 21, 2005, 02:21:32 PM
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I want to pull the pan so I can change the filter.


Thought About that after I hit the send botton  :-X
George
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 21, 2005, 02:22:16 PM
I can see the logic of what you say (we hit 27k the other day) but I want to get all the crap out that I can.  Everything on a new vehicle breaks in some and thus creates particles floating around.  So I figure if that filter is changed those particles disappear sooner.
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: blacknight on June 21, 2005, 02:26:59 PM
Think its a bit of over kill my self to drop the pan at only 27k.  But it not that big a deal to do just a messy job  ;D
George
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: AJMBLAZER on June 21, 2005, 02:30:27 PM
Eh, I've already got the filter, only out like $9 there, and I've recently changed every other fluid.

The diff oil and transfer case oil was still clearish (did Suzuki use synthetic gear lube?) but there was a noticeable amount of shavings on the magnetic drain plugs.
Title: Re: Quirks/tips/tricks to changing auto trans flui
Post by: blacknight on June 21, 2005, 02:34:04 PM
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Eh, I've already got the filter, only out like $9 there, and I've recently changed every other fluid.

The diff oil and transfer case oil was still clearish (did Suzuki use synthetic gear lube?) but there was a noticeable amount of shavings on the magnetic drain plugs.


Changed my at 7k and 30k and had a bit on the plug as synthetic from Suzuki I wouldn't think so as it would be more $$$ but that wath I put in there.  

George