The right way to check/change gearbox oil on an automatic?

31-10-2006, 12:59

I hope someone can help me on this? I have lost some gearbox oil and need to top it up. I've been told to do it 2 different ways.

BTW the car is a Corsa automatic 1.4i LS 1996.

1. Start the engine wait for it to warm up, then turn off ignition then check level. If topup is needed then top up within a minute of engine being turned off.

2. Put a brick under front wheel, start car, put gear in drive (handbreak on) then check and top up if needed.

Which way is the right way, or is there a 3rd way?

TIA

31-10-2006, 13:03

Lost it! did it leak out the box sump plug or out of the driveshaft gaskets? or did you do a clutch change and it just fell out.

31-10-2006, 13:07

Lost it because of plug not being tightened! No clutch gaffer

31-10-2006, 13:21

I think you will find that it does in fact have a clutch otherwise it would go from stop to start with no control and it would only have one gear.

But to answer your question we used to do them cold with the car jacked up on one side as long as you can see in the viewing window, if you can't see properly take it to a garage and do a complete gearbox oil change as you never know if some bits / swarf has got in it.. shouldn't cost more than a tenner..

RUSTY · 31-10-2006, 13:57

not all cars use the same method, check the handbook for your car or ask the main dealer. if a the car has more miles on it than 60,000 change the oil, many manufacturers say its there for life, it is, still change it, over fifty years connected to the car trade for what it`s worth.

31-10-2006, 14:22

Thanks for the quick replies... I've just been on to the main dealer and have been told to get the correct level, warm up the car and leave it in park then check.

It's in for an MOT first thing tomorrow then a VIC on Monday.

alexl123 · 04-05-2008, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaffer_gump

I think you will find that it does in fact have a clutch otherwise it would go from stop to start with no control and it would only have one gear.

But to answer your question we used to do them cold with the car jacked up on one side as long as you can see in the viewing window, if you can't see properly take it to a garage and do a complete gearbox oil change as you never know if some bits / swarf has got in it.. shouldn't cost more than a tenner..

no I think YOU WILL FIND that some auto cars use a torque converter, basically using a viscous fluid to transfer power from the crank to the gearbox. no clutch

please dont be so condicending when you dont know yourself

papa smurf · 04-05-2008, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enuff

Thanks for the quick replies... I've just been on to the main dealer and have been told to get the correct level, warm up the car and leave it in park then check.

It's in for an MOT first thing tomorrow then a VIC on Monday.

sounds right that's the way i did my Daimler , back when i could afford 15mpg

tweetypie/8 · 05-05-2008, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexl123

no I think YOU WILL FIND that some auto cars use a torque converter, basically using a viscous fluid to transfer power from the crank to the gearbox. no clutch

please dont be so condicending when you dont know yourself

thats telling em alex

by the way welcome to the forum.

cleshe · 05-05-2008, 18:32

If its a Borg Warner gearbox(most are)check it in Park with the engine running, preferably warm, but not too hot. Let idle for 5 minutes, then check.To my knowledge, no recent automatic gearbox has a clutch. They either use a fluid flywheel or a torque converter.
Changing the oil is usually a pain . It's too easy to get an airlock. Personally I'd pay the dealer to do it.

05-05-2008, 19:09

I forgot about this thread, mind you I did start it almost 2 years ago

roadwolf · 08-05-2008, 08:55

Why do people who seem to know very little about a subject offer advice to others, if you don't know keep quiet (The road to hell is paved with good intentions). Viewing windows? airlocks? fluid flywheels?are in effect torque convertors, the name died out in the early 60s. Autoboxes do have clutches but not in the same way that a manual box does, they are self contained within the gearbox itself and operated by hydraulics. Having said that the Corsa most probably has a constantly variable gearbox which consists of two pulleys and a steel V belt, the pulleys change size depending on the speed, much like twist and go scooters. (Note I said most probably. Not professing to know for certain)