My transmission has been making whooping sounds since the start of the summer so I decided to change the oil and filter.

It is the later 6 speed box, I purchased a kit comprising of the pan/filter, new bolts and oil from Bristol Transmissions.

I had a selection of 8 and 10mm hex tools and a set of torx bits so I was ready.



Got the car up in the air as far as I could.



First I thought I would check I could release the filler plug, it was really tight, this is what happened to the spanner.

Luckily the second spanner held and the plug released.



The plastic sump plug came out easily.

Next on to the bolts holding the pan on, this is what happened to the first torx bit, it sheared off.



I then looked out a solid torx bit but that just stripped the inside of the bolt. From other posts you may have seen on this car, you will have seen that it seems like every nut and bolt on this car is seized.

I then tried all the other bolts, all were just as tight, so I had to move on to plan B, leave the sump and filter in place and just change the oil.

I lowered the back of the car to drain out as much oil as possible.



Then on to the refill, it took about 2 1/2l or so before I needed to start the car, then a further 3 l before closing off when it reached 40dec C.





The trickiest but was getting the fill plug back in with the exhaust pipe being very hot.

Once done and out for a test drive the transmission felt like new, clean smooth changes with no whoops or barking.

My plan is to change the oil every year or so going forward for a few years so that it is then mostly new oil in there.

 

IF you can get it over there, a liberal dose of PB Blaster goes a long way to loosening such bolts. Let it sit for a day or so first. Unfortunately, I've only seen Edd China use WD-40 on his show. He referred to it as penetrating oil. Not really the same thing.