Which Auto Trans Service Kit?
Hi guys,
While I have done a lot of maintenance on my cars over the years, one thing that I haven't tried as yet is an auto trans service. I've read a lot of information on how it can be done (including how messy it is) but need to get some advice on the best auto trans service kit to purchase. Kits on eBay seem to range in price from $25 to $50 (including delivery) and sump gasket construction from cork to unspecified to duraprene. Genuine Holden kits are around $50 with cork gaskets.
Which kits have you guys used and which would you recommend?
I just use the service kits from supercheap etc.I service mine every 20,000 k's as it gets a fairly hard time.Its only a messy job if you dont undo the pan bolts right.You just have to leave a couple of pan bolts loose at one end,but not remove them ,then remove them last whilst holding up the pan,the pan can then be lowered ddown and drained with hardly any mess made,just have a drain tray under it as some fluid will pour out when the pan is first loosened.I find the cork type gaskets are fine if they are not overtightened which crushes them,then they will just leak like mad.You dont need to use any sealant on these gaskets,theres no need.Well I dont anyway and it seals up excellent every time.
+1 to that i just bought the 1 from supercheap and that seems to work great
SILVERFOX
I buy the Repco ones, which have a cork gasket and they are good.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Donating Member
Most cork gaskets are actually cork particles bonded together with nitrile, neoprene or some other rubber like substance....they may look like cork but if you look closely you will see the bonding agent. Gaskets made out of pure cork are very problematic as they shrink or expand when in storage due to atmospheric conditions plus can be very brittle. Last time I used straight cork gaskets was on a FJ rocker cover...had to soak the gasket in hot water to expand it to fit.
I'd be more interested in the quality of the filter than the gasket so I'd be inclined to buy genuine if I had the cash but being a cheapscate I've always used Supercheap kits.
"If anyone disagrees with anything I say, I am quite prepared not only to retract it, but also to deny under oath that I ever said it." --T. Lehrer
"The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made." -- Jean Giraudoux
If the Commodore is a VS then check if it has the deep or shallow pan on it as the kits are different. Since you posted this in the VR-VS section and you have at least one VS then I assume that this is the model you want it for. Genuine are cheap enough, that's what I buy.
NEED 4 SPEED
Last 1 I got for my VR V6 was under $20 from Supercheap. The only hard bit was removing the filter seal. Ended up making an attachment to my dowel puller and it came out in 5 seconds.
Donating Member
If it is a deep pan, it should say "deep pan" on the transmission dip stick next to where it shows you the oil level. Most of them do anyway.
Originally Posted by Jasper44
Including car parts (VS, VT, VX, VY, WH etc), my WH Statesman, and other things listed on eBay.
Donating Member
I also just use the kit from Repco (NZ$60) plus a bottle of Dextron 3 oil.
It can be a messy job, i find putting old cardboard boxes under the car helps stop spills soaking the driveway/garage. The great thing about trans oil is its high detergent content, makes your hands clean after getting it over it.
Is there a How To for doing the trans filter replacement? I have some great photos of what oil should look like and what it shouldn't! I had a stuffed trans in my VS, the colour of that oil was like cleanish fresh engine oil (Brown!) and it stunk really bad!
Banned :P
lol, if the transmission fluid smells burn't your clutches are fu.....
Anyway best advice is above RE loosening the bolts right, if your keen you can weld a bung into the pan so you can drain it easier next time before pulling the pan off. You don't need a how too anyway, just undo the bolts as above so you dont get messy, use some acetone and or a razor to remove all of the old gasket materal and sealant if some muppet has used it in the past.
When it comes to the filter pull it out, check that the brass bung comes with it, if not get a pick/hook or two (One for each side) and pull it out.
Clean the inside of the pan as well, use petrol and paper towel untill it shines and make sure when your putting it back together nothing gets in that shouldn't be there.
As for your question on what kit to get, supercheap / repco / autobarn / holden will all use basically the same kit with a different packet or close enough to.
SILVERFOX
Is there a How To for doing the trans filter replacement? I have some great photos of what oil should look like and what it shouldn't! I had a stuffed trans in my VS, the colour of that oil was like cleanish fresh engine oil (Brown!) and it stunk really bad![/QUOTE]
I did a How-To on this recently. Brett JJJ added some info on filter removal details.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Donating Member
Sweet, I will get my a-into-g and get them uploaded and post on the How To.
Last edited by Jaymz; 22-07-2011 at 07:53 PM. Reason: removed old quote that was stuffed up
SILVERFOX
COOL, the more pics/info the better.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Donating Member
Just got my tranny done.
I got it flushed out about 7/8 litres.
So all the old fluid was removed.
They plug in laptop and go for a drive to see how tranny is going.
Running very well.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm" Sir Winston Churchill.
My VS II Berlina Wagon
MY12 II SV6 Sportwagon
There are already plenty of posts with instructions on how to do a trans filter service.
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