Help, transmission fluid change time!

[wyatt89]

Yes I realize this isnt for a vibe or a trix but I am going to change the transmission fluid, transfer case fluid, and the diff fluids on my truck. for the tranny fluid my book says to use API GL-4 SAE 75w-90, ATF dextron for the transfer, and API GL-5 SAE 80w-90 for the diffsDoes anyone have recommendations for good brands that are pretty cheap? My truck has been shifting like crap even when its warm but it barely even wants to go into gear when its cold, when I press in the clutch it pretty much pops itself out of gear...but sometimes when I come to a stop and press the clutch in it doesnt want to come out of gear...anyone have some thoughts on those things? The truck has like 215k miles on the origional engine and I dont know how long its been since the previous owner changed anything...the oil was pretty gross when i changed it though so Im kind of terrified.What should I look out for in the fluids when i drain them, what color should they be?Please help!

[zionzr2]

Quote, originally posted by wyatt89 »Yes I realize this isnt for a vibe or a trix but I am going to change the transmission fluid, transfer case fluid, and the diff fluids on my truck. for the tranny fluid my book says to use API GL-4 SAE 75w-90, ATF dextron for the transfer, and API GL-5 SAE 80w-90 for the diffsDoes anyone have recommendations for good brands that are pretty cheap? My truck has been shifting like crap even when its warm but it barely even wants to go into gear when its cold, when I press in the clutch it pretty much pops itself out of gear...but sometimes when I come to a stop and press the clutch in it doesnt want to come out of gear...anyone have some thoughts on those things? The truck has like 215k miles on the origional engine and I dont know how long its been since the previous owner changed anything...the oil was pretty gross when i changed it though so Im kind of terrified.What should I look out for in the fluids when i drain them, what color should they be?Please help!Do you mean 75w-90 GL4 for the transfer case andDextron for the ATF Tranny?Also Often GL-5 Fluids are also compatible with GL-4. just check the label. Also small changes in weight are not as big an issue as the GL-#. So if your Transfercase says GL-4 75w-90, and your diff. says GL-5 80w-90. You can use a Fluid that is GL-4 and GL-5 75w-90 Such as the Mobil 1 or Royal Purple Synthetic gear lube for both. I just got a bottle of Royal Purple 75w-90 Gl-5 and GL-5. for my AWD vibe's rear diff. 1 qt. of the Royal Purple is $10. and it is a full Synthetic. Non synthetics are probably around $3-$4 a qt. Hope this Helps!

[JohnC]

I swapped to synthetic trans gear oil for an old high mileage 280Z that was gettin hard to shift when it was cold out...synthetic cured the problem. and no it did not start leaking from the seals.

[vibe-04]

Go save a buck at Wal-Mart for your fluids. Don't buy synthetic for a truck with 215K unless you want to have seals leak! (JohnC you have luck on your side. Go with semi-synthetic or plain old fluid from a known manufacture ot "Bob's Fluids." Drop the tranny pan to get a look inside for shavings so at least you know what your getting into for and don't forget a tranny filter and gasket sealant for the diffs. Or use a sump pump to such the diff fluid.Good luck!

[RePo]

Um, that's a manual transmission. No pan, no ATF fluid.When they pop out of gear (or stick in) it's pretty bad. Changing the transmission oil won't fix it, the gears are worn to the point now it's going to need a tear down and rebuild. 2nd is normally the first to show signs of trouble, it gets used the most.

[wyatt89]

well, they dont pop out of gear, i meant that when its cold out, i press the clutch in and it push a tiny bit and it pops out of gear and then its kinda hard to get to the next gear...i ended up getting some cheapo napa tranny fluid, ill put it in soon...i changed the plugs today and its already starting to run better...grand total for a crapload of fluid, a set of plugs, and a spark plug socket was like 29 bucks, i should have fun getting this done as we arent supposed to get over 10 degrees this week...luckly you drain the fluids when they are warm

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by wyatt89 »well, they dont pop out of gear, i meant that when its cold out, i press the clutch in and it push a tiny bit and it pops out of gear and then its kinda hard to get to the next gear...i ended up getting some cheapo napa tranny fluid, ill put it in soon...i changed the plugs today and its already starting to run better...grand total for a crapload of fluid, a set of plugs, and a spark plug socket was like 29 bucks, i should have fun getting this done as we arent supposed to get over 10 degrees this week...luckly you drain the fluids when they are warm You to should do your work when the fluids are warm... Go driving for a while, make sure you have everything up to temp and then let them drain for at least an hour... 75-80w-90 is thick as snot when it's cold.. make SURe it's warm... lol... You did plugs, but did you do wires to? how about the distributor cap/rotor? PCV valve..?

[wyatt89]

the plug wires actually looked pretty new, i coated the ends with dielectric grease, so they should be fine, the distributer looks great, i have no idea about the pcv though...the car starts and idles fine, even in sub-zero (F) weather (and it sits outside) btw, the old plugs were kind of whiteish on the little curved part at the end, what does that mean? i know what fouled plugs/oily plugs look like but i dont know what this means...

[vibe-04]

Repo, the tranny uses Dexron ATF, automatic right (??)and the diffs use gear oil.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by wyatt89 »the plug wires actually looked pretty new, i coated the ends with dielectric grease, so they should be fine, the distributer looks great, i have no idea about the pcv though...the car starts and idles fine, even in sub-zero (F) weather (and it sits outside) btw, the old plugs were kind of whiteish on the little curved part at the end, what does that mean? i know what fouled plugs/oily plugs look like but i dont know what this means...Oh come on man...you should know GISing is your best friend.. http://www.dansmc.com/Spark_Pl....html

[wyatt89]

no its a manual, my repair manual said to use gear oil...sublime, it looks like 20 or 22 on that one

[ToolGuy]

Change your clutch fluid as well. Even if you cannot bleed the clutch change out the fluid from the reservoir. You can suck it out, re-fill, drive and then repeat it a couple more times. The first two things I did when I got my 6-speed Vette was change out the clutch fluid and put in Mobil1 trans fluid.

[wyatt89]

clutch fluid is just brake fluid right? thats a good idea, thanks a lot!

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by wyatt89 »clutch fluid is just brake fluid right? thats a good idea, thanks a lot!IB he's talking about hydraulic clutch fluid... Don't forget a new muffler bearing while your are at it though..