Tool for filling differentials & trannies

[nel]

Some of us have vehicles with difficult to fill transmissions or differentials. I have two BMWs with automatics without dipsticks. Instead there is a fill plug on the pan.

Here are two tips:

1. I've been using a funnel with a length of ATF hose on the BMWs. Now I can fill the automatic transmission from above the vehicle--typically from the engine compartment.

2. I've tried the pump that you attach to the quart or gallon bottle--really difficult to keep pumping when you're underneath the car. This last time, I went to the local Home Depot and bought a small garden pressure sprayer. I filled it with gear lube, pressurized it, and was able to fill two differentials with ease. I made sure that I didn't attach the spray nozzle so it would fill faster. Also, don't mix fluids where the specs are wildly different. I'm using mine just for MTF and final gear lube.

 

[Gary Allan]

I've used one like this at my friends shop. I dunno if it's any easier while under the car since you basically still need two hands to operate it, and you kinda need three if the fill plug is at an odd angle requiring you to hold it.

I used the "long hose and funnel" technique on my old Pukeout 504 to fill the trans.

 

[TallPaul]

quote:

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1. I've been using a funnel with a length of ATF hose on the BMWs. Now I can fill the automatic transmission from above the vehicle--typically from the engine compartment.

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This works great on my F150 and some clear plastic tubing from the hardware store. I can actually see the fluid going into the transmission hole.

Also the suction pump Gary pictured above is great. I have one and use it for PS fluid changes. Much nicer and quicker and less messy than the turkey baster.

 

[JTK]

nel, I can attest to the functionality of the garden sprayer method! It works excellent for filling the dipstick-less 4L30E (general motors) automagic in my wife's isuzu rodeo. Trying to do nearly 2 gallons of ATF with a hand suction pump is a joke, as is the bottle pump. I've also had luck using compressed air to force ATF out of gallon jugs, thru a vinyl tube & into the trans. The garden sprayer is definately the cleanest, safest & easiest.
G/luck
Joel

 

[1sttruck]

I use a lot of Mobil 1 gear oil in the axles, so I save the nozzles on the bottles for use on other fluids, and just use 1 nozzle on all the bottles when I fill. Just crawl under the truck and squirt the stuff in. You'll get a decent stretch and a bit of a workout as it takes awhile to squirt several bottles of 75W140 into the rear axle, 75W90 in the front, ATF+4 in the xfer case, and Castrol Syntorq 80W90 (?) in the transmission.

 

[tom slick]

I bought a cheap drill pump at the hardware store and some reinforced hose. stick one end in the trans and the other in the oil bottle and let the drill do the work. the reinforced hose is so that the inlet line doesn't collapse while it's sucking.

 

[srivett]

When I filled my E150's diff I used a small funnel and a piece of copper water pipe with a 90 degree elbow.

When I fill my VW Golf's gearbox I remove the speedo cable and pour the oil in through there.

If you have to use one of those grease gun transfer pumps make sure you have twice the oil you need on hand. It's gonna be messy.

Properly equipped repair shops will have a bunch of pail pumps with wands for moving gear oil.

Steve