Muddy said:
I am just about to change my tranny oil in 1992 vette and was wondering what was the best oil to use. I am right in saying you should use a transmission lubricate to the SAE 5W30 viscosity or is it OK to use a high quality motor oil :confused. I was advised by a local parts place to use SYNERGYN 3W-30. It conforms to API Classifications: CH-4, CG-4, CF/SJ, SH, SG (Just read it off the bottle). Has anyone used this oil before?
The pump idea to get the oil in the gearbox sounds like a good idea.
Having trouble getting a 17mm allen wrench, where would I get one?
Muddy
Hey Guys, we have had two C4s with the ZF trans. Both of them have given me heck trying to remove the drain plug. So, hang on to your hat when you get there. One of several things happen. The trans either has at one time or another been banged off a speed bump, etc. damaging the alan head opening. Or it has simply been frozen in place due to the difference in metals (the plug is steel and the trans is aluminum.
On the 89, I ended up having to drill and tap out the drain plug! On the 90, I have settled for sucking the fluid out from the drain hole the first time with a rear axle pump. The second time, I had the engine and trans out of the car, so I turned the trans on its side and drained it out the fill hole. The alan head drain plug on our 90 took a significant whack at one time and I can't get the alan wrench to go in. So, unless I want to drill and tap it, that drain plug is a permanent part of the trans.
I picked up my wrench at Napa. It is basically a large alan head wrench about 12" long shapped like an L with the short portion about 3". They also make them in socket sets (very expensive for an entire set). I think I paid about $10 for the wrench. The good news is that it works on the drain as well as the fill plug (at least on the ZF models).
On fluid, I always go straight to the G.M. parts counter and get the specific 5W 30 trans fluid. I realize it is more or less motor oil, but it does have some other additives. Therefore I have never tried the BMW, or synthetic motor oil blends. I did run a synthetic blend in the five speed of my V8 Fiero project. I could not tell any difference.
As far as filling it, I have two methods. One is exactly as that G.M. engineer mentioned. However, I never took the time to glue the hose on, so I end up with a leaky hose while I am squeezing.
My favorite method I just discovered about a year ago (I use it on other cars including my 69, etc). I get a long (4' or so) 3/8" hose. Hook it to the bottle of fluid. I get under the car. I have my wife in the engine bay with the hose running down the back of the block down the firewall to the trans. I just have her tilt the bottle up and give a little squeeze. It pours out nice and easy, and gets the job done.
I have also done this by myself. Knowing the exact fluid capacity, run the hose into the trans, go topside, put the oil/fluid bottle in place, flip it updsidedown, then punch a hole in the bottom of the bottle. It drains in all by itself, while I go catch a cold drink and relax!
4LT GS Roadster
