audiquatv8

Does the A/T Tranny Fluid in a '90 V8 require changing? Alldata maintenance recommends every 30,000 except 90,000. I've also read that it never needs changing because it is sealed? Does the failure to change the A/T fluid cause the tranny to go around 125,000 miles? Finally, how would you go about changing the fluid out? Is it as easy as the oil?

Thanks

410225

I have 91 V8. Just changed tranny fluid at 211k mi. I don't know the previous owner did it or not, but I did it.
It is harder than you think. Entire exhaust system has to be down to get to the tranny pan to dump fluid and change the filter. I was going to do it myself but too much work.
Cost me about 325.00 to do.

Jols

WIth the fluid changed, you should notice smoother, faster changes and less noise from it.
The old stuff with look like puddle water (brown) and the new stuff they put in (or you put in) is deep red. Subtle difference eh!

On mine, I just emptied the sump, and filled it up again to the same level. I left the filter there, so I did not need to dismantle the exhaust. I used 4 litres of Castrol Dexron III d/g or q? You fill it up via the transmission dipstick tube, on level ground. Hope you have long arms to get to the pan plug!

Good luck.

Regards

audiqv8

There is a metric allen head plug on the pan which will dump about 4 quarts of transmission fluid once you unscrew it. Draining the pan only remove part of the fluid, there is still more fluid in the torque converter. Repeat this process after a week of normal driving two more times. That is empty the pan and refill (4 quarts), drive the car a week, empty the pan and refill (4 quarts) drive the car another week, empty the pan and refill (4 quarts). This should clean out most of the old fluid.

There is also a method to power flush the transmission which require taking it into a shop.

Some have suggested to also change the filter, but my understanding is that it is a metal mesh filter (?). Changing the filter is good pratice, but if you can't then, changing the fluid will help even more, even if AoA insist that it is lifetime.

v8phil

Westside Automotive did mine; they had to drop the exhaust and had a hell of a time with siezed bolts. While it was there I provided them with a generic O2 sensor ($80) I bought and the bill came to just over $300.00CAN. Good deal considering some shops will charge $300.00 just for parts and labour on the O2.