Cadillac ATS Transmission Service Day!
- Thread starter webfors
- Start date
There was a post on here a few years ago someone had an Olds from the 90's that had a factory rebuilt transmission in it. The sticker looked pristine after almost 30 years.
Wanted to note that the extractor and dispenser approach is pure gold. So clean, organized and easy. I was VERY surprised how fast the extractor pulled 6 quarts out of the transmission. Took longer to fill the transmission since my dispenser only holds 3 quarts at a time and I had to depressurize and refill.
While the dispenser was filling I was emptying my extractor into the garage's oil catch reservoir and getting it ready for the next cycle. I thought about a MV7201, but I would want 2 of them... no way I'm cleaning in between extract and dispense! These two devices cost me less than $150 CDN, or about $107 USD.
While the dispenser was filling I was emptying my extractor into the garage's oil catch reservoir and getting it ready for the next cycle. I thought about a MV7201, but I would want 2 of them... no way I'm cleaning in between extract and dispense! These two devices cost me less than $150 CDN, or about $107 USD.
When I took my MB to the indy shop for a tranny fluid change and wanted to wait, they but a box fan on the oil catch apparatus and jacked it up under the tranny and ran it for about an hour to get the temp down enough. They like to start the process cold so it goes quicker.Didn’t get the final dump and fill done because I couldn’t get the TFT temps below 140 while at the lift.
Interestingly, 11 years later a perfectly readable and in perfect condition sticker tells you exactly the temps and how to check the fluid level
Headed back tomorrow. Going to arrive an hour early. Extract, fill, start car and check almost immediately. 123 degrees comes and goes pretty fast when the car has been driven a few miles to get there. Might move level checks to fall/winter cause it was a hot day.
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Thanks for the detailed write up! Your trans is happy and will serve you well
Thanks for the tip! Made a huge difference AND made for much cooler and breezy work under the car. Comes with me every time now and the garage guys were laughing and all converging under my car to cool off
Some of ya might be familiar with the rear differential issues in these cars. Root cause has two vectors.
1. First and second generation seals were, well, sometimes leaky. Low fluid = failed delicate ball bearings.
2. Some diff vents had unreasonable spring pressure causing them not to vent and again, pushing pressure out the seals, and same result.
Moral of the story is check your diffs often and proactively modify the vents to reduce the bypass pressure and make sure you’re running third gen seals.
I now make a point of brake cleaning that area during oil changes to keep the top cap free and spinning and clear of debris or oil residue.
This one came off my 2017 when I swapped its vent out for a fresh/clean and modified vent a couple weeks ago.
So I modified it and reinstalled it into the 2014
1. First and second generation seals were, well, sometimes leaky. Low fluid = failed delicate ball bearings.
2. Some diff vents had unreasonable spring pressure causing them not to vent and again, pushing pressure out the seals, and same result.
Moral of the story is check your diffs often and proactively modify the vents to reduce the bypass pressure and make sure you’re running third gen seals.
I now make a point of brake cleaning that area during oil changes to keep the top cap free and spinning and clear of debris or oil residue.
This one came off my 2017 when I swapped its vent out for a fresh/clean and modified vent a couple weeks ago.
So I modified it and reinstalled it into the 2014
As a follow up to this, I was done the pan drop and first fluid replacement in an hour. Another 30 minutes for the second extract/dispense. I suspect this could all be done in 1.5 - 2 hours. I'll test that with the 2017 ATS coming up.
The final step to a full fluid swap is clearing the TCM Adaptives, especially when the previous fluid is 10+ years old and came out like a hot chocolate turd. Followed by a nice backcountry rip. Car is shifting beautifully, really grabs on aggressive shifts (did not feel like that before... very nice), and smooth as butter driving moderately... if I'm not watching the rpm's hard to tell it's shifting.
Following upon this. I checked the torque on the pan bolts again on my last visit using the pattern posted previously and they were all perfectly still set at 80 inch pounds. No leaks, perfect seal with that stock double dimple gasket from GM.
Last update on this thread from me. A couple of days after resetting the TCM adaptives and putting a couple hundred kms, the car is really driving nicely. The shifts are like the new again. Slow driving, purrs and shifts like butter. Moderate to aggressive and the shifts are quick and purposeful with great clutch grab and after a couple Gumout cycles, tune that has a 94 octane table, and a steady diet of 94, and this ain’t grannies car anymore 
Very pleased with the results.
Next up is rear sway bar on this beauty
Very pleased with the results.
Next up is rear sway bar on this beauty
