These forumns are still not working correctly, gotta keep it short. www.keith.loretta@sbcglobal.net, and I'll tell you about the fluid change.

 

I know I'm resuscitating an old thread, but the answer was never documented.

I'm looking to change the transmission fluid this spring on my 1996 XJS.

Can anyone give me a run down on what to expect?

Thanks.

 

First check your transmission pan....you might get lucky and have a drain plug! Some did, some didn't....I don't know the specifics on that.

If you DO have a drain plug simply drain the fluid and re-fill.

The transmission holds about 9-10 quarts but draining the pan only removes 4 quarts or so. What most of us do is drain, refill, drive a few miles, a repeat the process 3 or 4 times. This way virtually all of the old fluid is replaced with new.

To avoid guessing on how much to add after draining I measure how much was removed and simply add the same amount of new fluid.

Cheers
DD

 

If you don't have a drain plug you'll have to remove the filler tube. Takes a bit of ooomph with your wrenches usually. Doing so will drain most of the fluid but still leave an inch or so in the pan. At this point you can do the refill-drive-drain-repeat process as mentioned above or you can remove the pan to fully drain it. You'll want to get a new pan gasket first.

Might as well get a filter, too, as changing it only takes a few extra minutes once you have the pan off. Truth is, though, the filters very seldom clog. If a trans filter is clogged then the trans probably isn't long for the world

Cheers
DD

 

Great. I'll check for a plug.

I may just get it flushed with the machine at my local shop. I figure I'll save myself the time and money by purchasing twice the capacity of the transmission with the multiple flushes.

Does it even matter which fluid anymore? Aren't they all pretty much universal? My service manual says Dexeom IId, but I don't think they make anything older than III anymore.

 

Get a vacuum pump and suck the old ATF out and refill. You can do this a few times and pretty much get mostly fresh fluid in the tranny. I know a few people that have used Maxlife ATF and it works well.

 

where do you put the vacuum pump suction ?

 

If you don't have a drain plug, then put your vacuum pump hose down the transmission fluid dipstick/filler tube. Make sure the hose is long enough to get down to the sump.

 

Ditto. I do this on a lot of older vehicles and it works well. I usually do one and then drive it for a week and then repeat... If I recall, I think I got around 6-7 quarts out doing this procedure. Maxlife syn ATF works very well in my 90 XJS.

 

i tooked the drain pan and filter out. i am just wondering how to drain all the oil out without starting the car. My car won't start right now...still troubleshooting. I just ordered a new transmission mount so i am trying to figure out how can i flush all the oil out without starting the car(since my car will not start at this time....troubleshooting in progress)

 

Several quarts are held in the torque converter. There is no way to drain it. Without the engine running you're at a bit of an impasse.

BTW....While you have the pan off you might wanna install a drain plug....which is is a real convenience.

Cheers
DD

 

hello, i will be filling up my transmission pan tomorrow. i installed a drain plug on it and will test it tomorrow. Any advice before i fill it up. I changed the filter also. Do i need to add any additive to the transmission oil to make the car shifts better ? Thanks