So it will soon be time to fit my shiny new auto gearbox in the motor,so my question is, apart from the Dextron fluid is there any additive I could add to improve the lifespan of the box.??
Don't bother with additives, they cause more harm than good. Regular fluid changes ahead of the Saab schedule will prolong the life of the box. Just one thing, I thought you had a 2002 car? In which case don't put Dexron in it as the 2002 onwards boxes use ATF3309. Putting Dexron in the 2002 onward box will make the fluid turn into a gloopy jelly and destroy the box! If your car is 1998-2001 then yes, you want Dexron III or VI.
Duly noted on all levels :o
Quote from: Audax on 16 May 2012, 02:49:12 PM
Don't bother with additives, they cause more harm than good. Regular fluid changes ahead of the Saab schedule will prolong the life of the box. Just one thing, I thought you had a 2002 car? In which case don't put Dexron in it as the 2002 onwards boxes use ATF3309. Putting Dexron in the 2002 onward box will make the fluid turn into a gloopy jelly and destroy the box! If your car is 1998-2001 then yes, you want Dexron III or VI.
How many litres will I need ??
Won't it have been filled by the repairer?
Did you get the uprated one, or is it standard?
Quote from: sgould on 16 May 2012, 07:47:21 PM
Won't it have been filled by the repairer?
Did you get the uprated one, or is it standard?
The uprated thing never quite happened sadly, was told it was only the inline boxes that could be uprated and not the transverse one like most modern cars, the new box is saab factory stripped and new innards, it did come back with oil but some has leaked whilst in transit with me and Im not sure what saab would of filled it up with.
I was thinking the Mobil atf oil looked good
Mobil are the original makers of 3309 automatic transmission fluid.
You need to check the level properly. There is a cold mark on the dipstick, but that is only a rough guide. You need to do a final check with the box in the car. The engine up to temperature and still running at tick over. And you should run the selector up and down the positions stopping for a second or so in each place just before reading the level.
I've never done a gearbox replacement, but I've heard that you need to get the alignment spot on as there is a three pronged shaft that needs to be engaged exactly. If a prong bends, you are back to square one.
As Audax says don't put Dexron in the newer boxes!! You can also buy ATF 3309 from a Vauxhall dealership, amongst others, and it's usually cheaper than the bottles of Mobil.
Quote from: sgould on 16 May 2012, 10:48:15 PM
Mobil are the original makers of 3309 automatic transmission fluid.
You need to check the level properly. There is a cold mark on the dipstick, but that is only a rough guide. You need to do a final check with the box in the car. The engine up to temperature and still running at tick over. And you should run the selector up and down the positions stopping for a second or so in each place just before reading the level.
I've never done a gearbox replacement, but I've heard that you need to get the alignment spot on as there is a three pronged shaft that needs to be engaged exactly. If a prong bends, you are back to square one.
God I dont like the sound of that ... mind you its not me putting it in its a Saab indie so hopefully its not the first time he has done it!
I liked the sound of the Mobile oil as it said it was a performance oil, so how much should I buy 5L ??
I recommend - enough ::)....sorry. In that sort of mood today
I'm not near my data, but I think the whole box takes 7 litres, but you will have some in there, and you need to fit it and fill it to the hot mark. If it was full when it left the reconditioner, how much have you lost on the way?
Quote from: sgould on 17 May 2012, 01:53:10 PM
I'm not near my data, but I think the whole box takes 7 litres, but you will have some in there, and you need to fit it and fill it to the hot mark. If it was full when it left the reconditioner, how much have you lost on the way?
Probably around half a litre
Don't forget that the oil cooler and cooler lines will be empty! Not sure but you may want 1 or 2 litres.
Box going in on monday Mobile ATF 3309 ordered! ... how often should I do a complete flush of the new box to keep her tip top
Quote from: SwansSaab on 28 June 2012, 01:50:40 PM
Box going in on monday Mobile ATF 3309 ordered! ... how often should I do a complete flush of the new box to keep her tip top
My Haynes says every 60,000 miles.
Given that only a portion is renewed with a standard drain, I do the partial change each year when I'm under anyway for an engine oil change.
Geeza
I think that the WIS has changed the method for changing fluid. It doesn't use the drain plug, it calls for a hose to the cooler to be dropped off. So maybe it changes more of the fluid now.
The WIS still shows the 90,000 mile fluid change that I remember from the 2002 model. But for my 2007 car - with what is essentially the same gearbox the change period is listed as 72,000 miles. Odd.
Quote from: sgould on 28 June 2012, 03:14:25 PM
I think that the WIS has changed the method for changing fluid. It doesn't use the drain plug, it calls for a hose to the cooler to be dropped off. So maybe it changes more of the fluid now.
The WIS still shows the 90,000 mile fluid change that I remember from the 2002 model. But for my 2007 car - with what is essentially the same gearbox the change period is listed as 72,000 miles. Odd.
Hmmm .. but changing it more frequently will it have any benefits or just a waste of money??
Quote from: sgould on 28 June 2012, 03:14:25 PM
The WIS still shows the 90,000 mile fluid change that I remember from the 2002 model. But for my 2007 car - with what is essentially the same gearbox the change period is listed as 72,000 miles. Odd.
I think that's because on the dame ednas they introduced a main and intermediate service interval for the diesels and you can't have a main service at 72k and then say it needs gearbox fluid at 90k? Or is it because of early gearbox failures? I can't see why the procedure changed in WIS, that could well be an omission or mistake, WIS can be a bit... well, Haynes sometimes. 8)
I'd suggest changing the gearbox fluid every 24k or so. I wouldn't dump the whole lot out either, just what comes out of the drain plug.