Replacing trans fluid

[EvilZL1]

Anyone know how to do this? If so what brand do you replace it with.

[2014CamaroZL1]

Remove upper plug, remove lower plug, drain.
Replace lower plug, refill through upper plug, replace upper plug.
Used factory GM fluid.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by 2014CamaroZL1

Remove upper plug, remove lower plug, drain.
Replace lower plug, refill through upper plug, replace upper plug.
Used factory GM fluid.

It isn't quite that easy as you must use some sort of flexible funnel or pump to get the new fluid in the upper hole where most cars have a dipstick tube. The GM fluid must be Dexron 6 approved for the ZL1 in the automatic. Look at the owners manual and put the exact amount that is recommended for the automatic. Mine was slightly low from the factory. Sorry, I can't remember the exact amount.

[RiCorvette]

I'm assuming manual tranny...
I'd take it to a sympathetic repair shop that has a (vacuum?) pump.
I did the first time without a pump and it was quite an ordeal (not to mention a stinky mess).
The 2nd time I took it to a Shop that only charged $20 for the 20 minutes necessary - well worth it.

Or if you are so inclined, there is a post about using an air compressor to
'push' the fluid from the bottle into the tranny. Search and ye shall find....
Or maybe someone will follow up with said post.

I've tried Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and Royal Purple...
After reading a lot of posts, I think I should have stayed with the GM OEM Fluid.
Tremec C/S suggested using Mobil 1

[nxttruck2002]

if M6 use Redline D4

[EvilZL1]

Originally Posted by nxttruck2002

if M6 use Redline D4

Originally Posted by Ricamaro

I'm assuming manual tranny...
I'd take it to a sympathetic repair shop that has a (vacuum?) pump.
I did the first time without a pump and it was quite an ordeal (not to mention a stinky mess).
The 2nd time I took it to a Shop that only charged $20 for the 20 minutes necessary - well worth it.

Or if you are so inclined, there is a post about using an air compressor to
'push' the fluid from the bottle into the tranny. Search and ye shall find....
Or maybe someone will follow up with said post.

I've tried Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and Royal Purple...
After reading a lot of posts, I think I should have stayed with the GM OEM Fluid.
Tremec C/S suggested using Mobil 1

Sad to say but it is an auto.


Sent from Wayne's Manor

[EvilZL1]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

It isn't quite that easy as you must use some sort of flexible funnel or pump to get the new fluid in the upper hole where most cars have a dipstick tube. The GM fluid must be Dexron 6 approved for the ZL1 in the automatic. Look at the owners manual and put the exact amount that is recommended for the automatic. Mine was slightly low from the factory. Sorry, I can't remember the exact amount.

Couldn't you use a funnel with a flexible plastic or rubber hose?


Sent from Wayne's Manor

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by EvilZL1

Couldn't you use a funnel with a flexible plastic or rubber hose?


Sent from Wayne's Manor

you can try but the fill hole is in a tight place and a simple $3 hand pump from autozone is fine to make this a slight PITA procedure.

[EvilZL1]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

you can try but the fill hole is in a tight place and a simple $3 hand pump from autozone is fine to make this a slight PITA procedure.

So in other words I should just pay the dealer $150 for pulled plugs and putting it back in to fill back up


Sent from Wayne's Manor

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by EvilZL1

So in other words I should just pay the dealer $150 for pulled plugs and putting it back in to fill back up


Sent from Wayne's Manor

No, I would never pay the dealer $150 to do a tranny fluid swap. I was just trying to prepare you when you get under the car and get a little hand pump to make the procedure go easier. If you do it with a hose or flexible funnel, let me know how it goes. I have headers and the header pipe is fairly close to this area and clearance is tight.

[EvilZL1]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

No, I would never pay the dealer $150 to do a tranny fluid swap. I was just trying to prepare you when you get under the car and get a little hand pump to make the procedure go easier. If you do it with a hose or flexible funnel, let me know how it goes. I have headers and the header pipe is fairly close to this area and clearance is tight.

What side is it located on?


Sent from Wayne's Manor

[ZO6 Bryan]

Originally Posted by EvilZL1

What side is it located on?


Sent from Wayne's Manor

You said you have an automatic, right? None of this is for you then. For an automatic you have to remove the pan on the bottom of the trans, drain it, replace the filter, replace the pan with a new gasket, then refill thru the dipstick tube under the hood. It's not hard but it's messy.
This still leaves a lot of old fluid in the torque converter and trans. To get it all out you have to disconnect one of the cooling lines from the radiator then fire up the engine and catch the old trans fluid as it spews out and have someone cut off the engine as soon as the fluid stream stops. Don't run the engine any longer than necessary.

[Stephen12ZL1]

unfortunately, there is no dipstick on the Camaro. The fill plug is on the passenger side where the dipstick is traditionally located on every rear drive GM with an automatic transmission. You don't have to remove the pan either. Our cars are so new at this point I would just use the drain plug and replace fluid only. If the car has mega mileage, then definitely remove and replace the pan, gasket, filter, etc. Forget the tranny line disconnect trick above...it can be done on other vehicles, but I would advise against it on this car.