VXer in the Sky
You will only get about 5 maybe 6 quarts out as the converter and cooler will still retain fluid. But always have more on hand in case you spill a bottle or 2 as pumping fluid UP into a tranny is a very messy job. Best way to get all the fluid out is to have it flushed and if you add the inline filter after you do this change, you will never have to drop the pan again - only drain and fill and replace this simple inline filter.
Super VXer
Yeah, I can always take some back or save some for few days in case I have some leaks 0_0
Thanks - Bart
Originally Posted by SPAZZ
Super VXer
Using the technique in my how-to on about 5 4L30E trannies so far has yielded an average of 8 quarts. You get about a quart from dropping the adapter pan and there's the additional fluid that comes out when you start cycling through the gears once you get to that stage.
As Spazz is getting at, it's better to have it and not need then need it and not have it.
Over 20 years of Isuzu enjoyment...
Super VXer
Joe,
Can you explain a little bit more what you mean about an inline filter possibly damaging the tranny? I was thinking about getting one, but don't want to do anything that might be harmful. ACDelco claims their filter "maintains proper fluid flow" and even has a safety bypass valve "to maintain coninuous flow" in the event filter blockage occurs:
Magnetic In-Line Transmission Filters
Additional protection can never hurt, so consider using a magnetic in-line filter from ACDelco to help remove tiny metal particles from the transmission fluid. Each kit includes the filter, two hoses, four clamps, instruction sheet, and a removable reminder sticker for scheduled replacement. The barbed fittings are designed to easily fit into transmission or power steering lines. ACDelco Universal Magnetic In-Line Transmission Filters offer these other great benefits:
Injection-molded, reinforced nylon casing is temperature-, vibration- and impact-resistant
Powerful ferrite-filled polyamide magnet attracts ferrous contaminants
Designed to provide effective filtration while maintaining proper fluid flow
Safety by-pass valve helps enable continuous fluid flow if filter blockage occurs
Steel sleeve maintains rigidity of paper filter
Large, fine paper element removes nonferrous particles
http://www.acdelco.com/parts/filters...on-filters.htm
Any more information would be appreciated. Thanks.
Super VXer
They have a fluid pump at Autozone that works great for the VX transmission. I tried that whole funnel and hose thing and it took too long. The hose that comes with it is perfect to stuff into the fill hole. I found mine back by the tractor and gearcase oil.
Super VXer
On most automatic transmisssions, especially so on the 4L30E, the fluid is circulated to the cooler via a low-pressure output from the valve body of the transmission. Its design parameters cover just moving the fluid through unrestricted lines and the transmission already has a filter designed to 400% of necessary capacity. For an aftermarket filter to go into bypass mode a certain line pressure has to be reached, usually between 30 and 50 psi depending on the filter and system. At those pressures the valve body will have pretty much found somewhere less desireable to pump the fluid internally.
The return from the tranny cooler just dumps back into the pan where the fluid is suctioned through the filter. Again, the source wasn't designed with enough pressure to push fluid through filter media. It can, for a time, but it won't like it.
If you look at professional and motorsports transmission filter setups there's always an outboard pump to move the fluid through the filter media and any additional or specially mounted coolers. That outboard pump picks up from the valve body output and boosts it to the necessary pressure to get through whatever additional plumbing is in the system.
Hope that helps explain my opinion.
VXer in the Sky
Sure SOME inline filters can do what you describe but if you will investigate the one I recommend (and have used on the VX and the ML) http://epntz-filter.com/sect1b.asp with incredible cleanup results (I'll post results soon from a 30 day before and after test)! All of the fluid is not forced through the filter but rather a percentage is bypasses each time - it takes many passes to clean the fluid and in the event of a blockage, has a failsafe bypass. PPNTZ designed this filter for Ford and cut their tranny failures by over 40%.
The fluid to the cooler IS under reasonable pressure and not just suction from the pump as evidenced by cutting the line to install the filter and turning over the motor just a click and over 8oz of fluid comes shoolting out. Everything I recommend here I USE first BEFORE talking about it. If it doesn't work for me, I can't really suggest if for someone else.
4L30E tranny pressures are much higher than you state Joe, running as high as 150psi during hard shifts - put a guage on the fitting on the driver's side of the tranny. 4 micron debris vs 80micron debris floating around and through the transmission - which is better for it? Or maybe all these inline filter manufacturer's are in cahoots with the tranny manufacture's to cause early failures.....
Last edited by Tone : 07/21/2006 at 12:48 PM
Super VXer
I'd like to do that to compare to the service manual specs. Please detail how you were able to plumb such a gauge, monitor and log its pressure trends during operation.
Super VXer
Fluid Change Report
OK, so yesterday, I changed the fluid in the trans, transfer case, and put in a new transmission filter & gasket.
First off, let me say that my fluid was BAD. Totally chocolate colored and burnt smelling. I'm at 29,000 miles and I do not think this service has ever been performed. I drained about 5 quarts or so of fluid.
It really was not as difficult as I thought it was going to be. I did the service with my good friend who is also a part-time mechanic. He was utterly amazed that the VX has no dipstick or fill reservoir under the hood. We used a little hand pump that we got at Pep Boys to pump the new ATF in. I used Mobile 1 ATF. We filled the trans until the fill plug was just spilling out ATF. I think this is the right amount. I hope so anyway. I'm going under again to check for leaks and to check my fluid level again today or tomorrow.
Thanks to the tips from everyone, I felt confident enough to do this work on my own. If anyone has any follow-up tips or precautions, please let me know.
Also, one thing that made it easier: I bought my filter and gasket about a week prior to the service. As soon as I got the filter and gasket, I took out the gasket and put it flat under my floor matting all week. So, when it came time to replace the gasket, I was able to lay in on the pan nice and flat and replaced it with no difficulty. The old gasket came off easily as well. Didn't need to scrape at all.
Shifting seemed smoother from the get go. All in all, the job went smooth.
Even in power mode, shifting felt better, however I think the aggressive shifting is normal for power mode.
I'm rolling out to the dunes this weekend. After I get back, I'm gonna change the diff fluid and soon after I'm gonna change the tranny fluid again since I switched to synthetic.
Thanks - Bart
Super VXer
Glad to hear ya got the job done Bart! Wasn't that bad after all, huh?
If you didn't cycle through all the gears under brake load before finishing, be sure to check your fluid level again as the TC and valve body will suck up a bunch, not to mention the little bit saturating the new filter. In that case you'll get in maybe around 2 more quarts. And the more you get in there the better!
Personally I wouldn't worry about another immediate fluid change because of the switch to syntehtic. Maybe wait at least 10 to 15 thousand miles. The reason for most short changes after switching to synthetic is for engines where synthetic typically releases built-up sludge from a motor previously used with conventional oil. This isn't a problem with a transmission in most cases.
Super VXer
Hey Thanks! No, it really wasn't nearly as hard as I anticipated. Just messy, messy, messy.
Yes, after we filled it up and capped off the fill plug, I started her up and cycled through all the gears, then I drove it about a mile to the local lunch joint, ate, came back and checked the level again, it was fine, a small stream poured out. I guess I am more worried about overfill. I am going to unplug it again tonight or tomorrow just to be sure, as I am going on a 5 hour drive to the dunes this Friday.
Bart
Glad to hear ya got the job done Bart! Wasn't that bad after all, huh?
If you didn't cycle through all the gears under brake load before finishing, be sure to check your fluid level again as the TC and valve body will suck up a bunch, not to mention the little bit saturating the new filter. In that case you'll get in maybe around 2 more quarts. And the more you get in there the better!
Personally I wouldn't worry about another immediate fluid change because of the switch to syntehtic. Maybe wait at least 10 to 15 thousand miles. The reason for most short changes after switching to synthetic is for engines where synthetic typically releases built-up sludge from a motor previously used with conventional oil. This isn't a problem with a transmission in most cases.
Super VXer
This has been posted in the past, but just in case you missed it...
Super VXer
Yeah, the whole "no dipstick" aspect of the 4L30E has been it's greatest complaint for the owners of the various makes it's been installed in. Once, I came across mention of a "dipstick tube" part and had hoped to see if such a thing would bolt up to the models without a tube. Never could get more info than the vague snippet I stumbled on.
If the Aisin 5-speed install goes nicely in the rally VX we're building then I may just need to convert the IronMan too.
Super VXer
Yeah, and then I can stop by next time i'm in FLA and have you do up mine too!
Now, I must tell you, on the way home from work today the shifting slammed a few times while going up from 2nd to 3rd, and I was not in power mode either. I did what I did last time, pulled over, shut off for a minute, started up and drove home the rest of the way with no trouble.
I wonder why this happens, especially since I just changed my fluid. I am not happy about this, but maybe its just how the VX is. I dunno. I'm gonna check my level once she cools down a bit. I hope there is nothing seriously "wrong" or "damaged" with my VX's tranny. Especially since the VX is still "new" to me, being an owner for only 3-4 month now.
Bart
Yeah, the whole "no dipstick" aspect of the 4L30E has been it's greatest complaint for the owners of the various makes it's been installed in. Once, I came across mention of a "dipstick tube" part and had hoped to see if such a thing would bolt up to the models without a tube. Never could get more info than the vague snippet I stumbled on.
If the Aisin 5-speed install goes nicely in the rally VX we're building then I may just need to convert the IronMan too.
Super VXer
Some of you plagued by slam bam shifting might possibly have gotten one that has had the trans. interceptor installed & tweaked a little too much.
It's a remote possibility, but ...
Just a thought.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
