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Transmission Main and V-drive unit fluid change


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Okay, 2006 Malibu 21 LSV with 320 LCR and ZF 45 IV transmission. Dealer-serviced at 20 hrs. and 100 hrs.

Now at 160 hrs., and close to end of season, I decided to do the annual tranny fluid change myself.

The fluid I removed from the main unit, using the turkey-baster method that always seems to come

up when this topic is discussed, was dark red. The fluid from the v-drive unit was more of a brownish-

green color. What's with that? No problems whatsoever with the tranny, as far as I know, and,

as above, dealer-serviced the past two years. Any ideas as to why the v-drive fluid would appear

so different? Should I be worried?

Is it even possible to check/clean the filter element on this transmission? From the diagrams in

the transmission manual, I can't even figure out where exactly the darn thing sits, much less

how I'd be able to access it.

FWIW, I won't use the turkey-baster method next time. Too much of a hassle to remove 2+

liters of fluid IMHO. I think I'll just buy a second fluid extractor and use it exclusively for the

ATF.

Edited by srab
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  • 2 weeks later...
Okay, 2006 Malibu 21 LSV with 320 LCR and ZF 45 IV transmission. Dealer-serviced at 20 hrs. and 100 hrs.

Now at 160 hrs., and close to end of season, I decided to do the annual tranny fluid change myself.

The fluid I removed from the main unit, using the turkey-baster method that always seems to come

up when this topic is discussed, was dark red. The fluid from the v-drive unit was more of a brownish-

green color. What's with that? No problems whatsoever with the tranny, as far as I know, and,

as above, dealer-serviced the past two years. Any ideas as to why the v-drive fluid would appear

so different? Should I be worried?

Is it even possible to check/clean the filter element on this transmission? From the diagrams in

the transmission manual, I can't even figure out where exactly the darn thing sits, much less

how I'd be able to access it.

FWIW, I won't use the turkey-baster method next time. Too much of a hassle to remove 2+

liters of fluid IMHO. I think I'll just buy a second fluid extractor and use it exclusively for the

ATF.

My V-drive fluid is 30W motor oil. I was not aware of anything else for v-drives with the exception of the Ski-Vee setup where I believe that both the transmission and the v-drive section use ATF.

Just for interest - why wouldn't you use the same fluid extractor for the motor oil and the ATF (of course making sure that the tube is clean and clear before using it on the transmission)?

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My V-drive fluid is 30W motor oil. I was not aware of anything else for v-drives with the exception of the Ski-Vee setup where I believe that both the transmission and the v-drive section use ATF.

Just for interest - why wouldn't you use the same fluid extractor for the motor oil and the ATF (of course making sure that the tube is clean and clear before using it on the transmission)?

The Operating Manual for my ZF transmission clearly calls for ATF in both (they've got a

photograph of the tranny with arrows pointing to the two separate dipsticks, and each

states "FILL WITH . . . ATF OIL"). Plus, there is a black and white sticky-label next to each

dipstick that states "ATF."

I don't want to use the same extractor because, once extracted, I plan to pour the contents

of the extractor into a plastic container, let it settle, mark the level with a Sharpie pen,

then pour it all into a second plastic container. Then, I plan to refill the first container

up to the mark with fresh ATF and pour it into the transmission.

So, if there is motor oil left in the extractor, it'll get transferred to the bottles and then,

albeit very diluted, end up in the transmission.

Am I overthinking this?

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