Dipstick Transmission fluid change?

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Drew99GT

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Has anyone done this? I tried doing it on my moms 2007 Impala using this pump:

http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Pump-Siphon-G...s=oil+extractor

It didn't work at all. However, I saw a video on Youtube of guys doing it with this kind of pump on a 2004 Impala:

http://www.amazon.com/6-0-Liter-Fluid-Ex...s=oil+extractor

I'm thinking maybe the pump I tried is junk and doesn't have enough power to suck the fluid out. I tested it pumping water between two jugs and it worked though.

Any thoughts? The transmission is a 4T65E in both vehicles; did GM change something between 2004 and 2007 so fluid can't be sucked out through the dipstick?

Thanks!
 
On those hand pumps there is a smaller adaptor with a black tube to reach further into the dipstick area. It helps to get the fluid up to operating temperature before you pump it out, but make sure to wear some gloves. Also, if thats the only service you're doing make sure to do it enough times so that the amount of fluid replaced is greater than the fluid taken out. Make sure to let a few days or a week go between pumping cycles so that the new fluid can perform some cleaning tasks.
 
Originally Posted By: Aurora09
On those hand pumps there is a smaller adaptor with a black tube to reach further into the dipstick area.


I used that hose and got it all the way down in there and the hand pump simply would not pull any fluid out.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
Mityvac 7201. Have done a bunch of "pulls" through the dipstick.


+1 It works like a charm.
 
A transmission drain plug should be a requirement IMO. But I suppose if that were the case we would all be changing the fluid much sooner than necessary.
 
I use a 5gal bucket with lid and some 1/4" PVC tubing used for water dispensers. Drill two holes in the bucket lid. One that fits the tubing tightly, then another big hole to hold the shop vac hose on to, to provide the suction.

Just make sure to route the PVC tubing all the way to the bottom of the bucket because this method provides a lot of suction and you don't want to mess up your shop vac with ATF.

Redneck mitivac.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: JTK
I use a 5gal bucket with lid and some 1/4" PVC tubing used for water dispensers. Drill two holes in the bucket lid. One that fits the tubing tightly, then another big hole to hold the shop vac hose on to, to provide the suction.

Just make sure to route the PVC tubing all the way to the bottom of the bucket because this method provides a lot of suction and you don't want to mess up your shop vac with ATF.

Redneck mitivac.


That is genius. In fact, my oil drain container I use for transporting used oil to the auto parts store for recycling might work perfectly as it's an old plastic 5 gal gas can. The vent side is about 1/4 inch and the outlet is about the same diameter as my shop vac hose! I'm going to give it a shot when the weather warms up. Thanks for the idea!
 
No sweat Drew! I've used this method on a bunch of ATs. The PVC tubing is ideal because it won't collapse under vacuum and it's cheap by the foot, or comes in ~10ft packages at most home/hardware places. Just make sure your container is sturdy or it will collapse under the shopvac's power.
 
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Drew, have you changed the filter in the '07 Impala's transmission? How many miles on it?

I recently did my '07 uplander 4T65E (remove pan, change filter, clean pan, reinstall pan, fill with 7L of Dex VI). I reused the gasket as suggested by members here and the process went without a hitch.

The transmission wasn't dirty inside but I feel good that it has a new filter. Next fluid change will be thru the dipstick.
 
I siphon all I can thru the dipstick before a transmission drop. Less of a mess when dropping the pan. Then change the filter and siphon two more times a week apart. Replaces most of the fluid. GL
 
I use that same pump that you could not get to work. I bought it at Harbor Freight, and I use a longer hose that I bought at Walmart in the aquarium section.

http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-66418.html

Multi-Use Transfer Pump
image_16308.jpg

Pittsburgh Automotive - item#66418
Sale: $6.99

I do this on a hot day with the engine cold. If doing it this time of the year you might have to warm up the transmission a little (just not enough to melt the hose).
 
Ive used the harbor freight pump on a mustang GT. IT got out some fluid, not a ton, maybe a quart?

On my 4T40E I had my mechanic do the trans filter and replace the transmission pan with one I bought with a drain plug. Of course this car doesn't have a dipstick, just a check plug.

I see one on ebay for 4T65E for $35 with drain plug.
 
I ended up doing the fluid change today using the shop vac method. Works like a charm! Thanks JTK for the idea. It definitely works better when the fluid is at operating temperature. It took a half hour to get 1 quart of cold fluid and I got the remaining 4 out in about 1 hour when it was warm. I got exactly 5 quarts out; it holds 7.4. I had to reinforce the bucket; half way through it completely collapsed. I used some wood dowel rods screwed into the side.

u7pi.jpg


rv1a.jpg
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
If you use a slightly larger diameter hose for sucking the fluid out you should get much better results.


Yea, next time I'm going to try 3/8 and see if it will fit in the dipstick.
 
I disconnect the line to the radiator, connect a piece of hose to it routed into the bucket, start engine and let the pump in trans do the work...

With the fluid bottles already opened start dumping in fluid, when the stream slows(doesn't have to stop), keep doing so till you've added two qt shy of a total fill... When the stream slows, cut engine, connect line, top off... Done!!! (all in maybe 20 minutes)...
 
Originally Posted By: TFB1
I disconnect the line to the radiator, connect a piece of hose to it routed into the bucket, start engine and let the pump in trans do the work...

With the fluid bottles already opened start dumping in fluid, when the stream slows(doesn't have to stop), keep doing so till you've added two qt shy of a total fill... When the stream slows, cut engine, connect line, top off... Done!!! (all in maybe 20 minutes)...


I've done that before on older cars, but this one has some kind of funky plastic looking fittings for the trans cooler lines. I'm leery of messing with them!!
 
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