Going to replace the oil pan and the filter on my 2002 A4. what is the best way to contain the oil that leaks out of the trans pan. Some trannys dump all over and some don't. How bad is the a4?

Bob

<small>[ March 01, 2003, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: RCMSSCamaro ]</small>

 

It will make a mess. The best thing to do is to suck the fluid out from the filler tube. Since you are replaceing the pan drilling or punching a hole in it is aother option.

 

Like he said, it WILL make a mess. I used the old school tech. I bought the biggest drin pan I could find at the auto parts store, laid down a bunch of news papers and slightly loosened all the bolts first. Then, working from one corner of the pan and working my way out, I loosened the bolts around that corner so at least the majority of the oil would drain from that end. (Did that make sense?) I let it drain for about an hour then finished taking the pan off. It is amazing how much fluid is containd between the trans and converter and all associated lines! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> When I had the trans out for the converter/shift kit install, the damn tranny drained for a week! About 2 gallons all told.

 

Thanks thats what I was afraid of! The idea of pumping some oil out via the engine compartment is a good option. Now all I need is to find the pump to do it. There must something out there for cheep. If not its drop one corner and hope I get most of it in the pan. One other thing while I have the pan off, eventhough my trans shifts good is there any benifit to putting a B&M shift kit in?

Thanks again

Bob

<small>[ March 02, 2003, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: RCMSSCamaro ]</small>

 

THIS might help ya out. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

John

 

For around $25.00 you can go to any marina / boat store. There is a hand pump set up they sell to remove oil from boat engines through the dip stick tube. They typically come with 2 or 3 different dia. tubes 4' long so finding one with the kit that will fit down the fill tube should't be a problem. I use mine all the time it works great.

 

I got so use to the way my `87 Formula shifted with a TransGo shift kit that when I got this `02 the shifts felt really mushy. I figured while I had the trans out I may has well put a shift kit in. I was intimedated at first about installing the kit myself but after hearing some positive feed back on the simple install of the TCI kits I decided to give it a shot. I have not heared about the B&M kits but the install of the TransGo kits is pretty involved. But if you know your way around these 4L60E`s you can save about $300 by installing a kit yourself. I also installed a drain plug in the stock pan to make fluid changes a little easier.

 

I used to work at a tranny shop for over 2 years. Let me give you some pointers:

-jack up car
-put jackstands under the front so it looks like it's doing a wheelie
-take picture and photoshop out jackstands (optional <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_images/icons/tongue.gif" /> )
-best tool i used is an electric impact but a socket wrench and socket will do
-start at the BACK of the tranny and work your way towards the front loosening bolts from side to side
-the idea of ^^^ is to get the pan to tilt towards the back of the car to start emptying out the fluid
-go slow when removing bolts.....you'll take out a bunch and then you'll be doing one more and BAM it will just start dumping, so go SLOW
-Keep doing the above until there are maybe half the bolts left and you can't tilt the pan anymore

Once you do all that, most of the fluid will be gone. There will still be some so just be careful when you are lowering the pan. Try and level the pan with one hand and remove the rest of the bolts and lower evenly and dump rest of fluid into the drain pan.

That works very well. Also, make sure you use a CORK gasket and put the gasket up dry and dont over torque it otherwise it will leak

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

This is a lot of good information. Thanks again!

Bob