Do you install new filter now or later?

[zimmerDN]

It's an old transmission that's never been serviced. 98 Dodge Avenger ATX.

So I plan on dropping the pan and changing the oil. I got a new filter for it also. Instead of flushing it will be drained and refilled several over a period of 10k km. Should I put the filter now or should I do it after the last drain? How many times should I drain and refill? I only plan on doing two because dropping the pan is a pain and installing a drain bolt isn't the easiest either.

 

[Islandvic]

Install new filter now. I installed a universal drain plug from NAPA parts store. MotorMite made it.

It was very very easy to install.

I first drilled a small pilot hole. Then used a larger bit for another hole. Then used another bit to route it out to fit the drain plug snug.

There is a plastic washer on the inside of the pan and an oring for the actual bolt that comes out to drain for the under side.

I installed it on a '95 K1500 4L60E trans with 160k+ miles. Never serviced. I did another drain/refill a week after, and may do another one this spring.

Zimmer, it's way more work to drop the pan as it is to install drain plug. It took longer to get the pan clean from sludge and gasket residue (I got the pan spotless, looked new) than to install the plug. Just dont over tighten the drain bolt and squeeze out the oring.

Good luck

 

[zimmerDN]

I haven't been able to locate a drain plug yet at my local stores (ontario). I don't want to ruin the pan by drilling it improperly.

Is it really that easy to drill through the pan?

Can you give me more details maybe?

 

[Islandvic]

http://www.supermotors.org/users/islandvic

I never got around to posting pics of my other rides.

The pics dont show a how-to, but you can see what the drain plug looks like.

If you look at the pic with the clean pan and drain pieces, the large threaded bolt with the plastic washer bolts from under the pan. From the inside the pic'd loose washer is used over the threaded shank and the nut secures the bolt in place. The installed bolt is actually hollow in the middle and is threaded.

The small bolt on the right has an o-ring, and it screws into the head of the drain bolt. Just dont overtighten it or it will sqeeze out the oring (I would pick up a couple of extra o-rings and replace them after each drain/refill).

It is so easy to install. I used a Craftsman 16volt cordless drill and cheap bits. Just make a small pilot hole 1st, then make a bigger one untill the bolt fits snug.

Really, dropping the pan is harder than installing the bolt. The drill bit will break before you damage the pan. Just go slow and it will be fine.

On the pic with the inside pan view, the red stuff on the drain plug is High Temp LocTite.

 

[zimmerDN]

I searched hi and low and couldn't find the drain plug kit locally.

Today I finally dropped the pan and installed new filter. I am just waiting for the silicon to dry a little before putting new oil back in.

Thank you for your help Islandivc.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

If you don't want to drop the pan next time, you could disconnect a cooler line and pump fluid out that way. Or order a drain plug to install next time the pan comes off.

 

[lewk]

islandvic, do you ever have shift problems with this transmission?