D3 auto trans update

[shamirj]

hi all,

thought i would pass on a great deal i got for updating my plastic auto trans pan for a steel one, new gasket, new oil, serviced at a mob never used before and with no connection to them in west ryde named Advanced Auto Trans.

before i tell you how much i did some research and found LR outlets selling the steel pan conversion for $400 alone, then the $$$ for the oil, not sure of the price of the filter though. people have been quoting close to $1000 for the service. i only called one local supplier and was told the price for it, a grand total of $385 incl of steel pan, gasket, oil, filter & GST, total.

i had to ask twice for the price in case i heard incorrectly. you cant beat that price can you. was told the correct oil was used for that trans, friendly service, very happy customer. look them up if yours need doing. cheers

[Tombie]

I'd be triple checking the oil used for that price :)

[SBD4]

Amazing price! Did that include the full mega flush and were you told the brand of ATF?

[Ean Austral]

Did they replace the sump eith a steel one? I see the plastic one advertised as a replacement unit recently.
Either way thats a great price considering the price of the lifegard 6 oil thats used or should be used.

Cheers Ean

[coolum]

Sounds like the urban myth of 'no free lunch' is a hoax.


I thought the price of the oil alone was double that?


Could it be a different oil used .. and will it cope? Oils aint oils they say!


Great work - if all above the decks.

[AnD3rew]

I have trouble believing that they used the right amount of the right transmission fluid plus steel pan, filter and labour for that price. Something fishy.

But if truly all above board that is an amazing deal.

[rar110]

I think I would check for details when the tranny takes approximately 9 lts of Lifeguard6 at approx $30 per litre plus cost of filter, steel pan etc.

It's great to save money, I'm all for it. But not if will cost a $6000 tranny rebuild because the wrong tranny fluid etc. If it checks out, great.

[Wasa57]

Just fitted a BMW (with drain plug) steel pan and done 2nd 5ltr auto trans drain / fill.
Total cost: $350.00 for steel pan and genuine gasket from Furious Performance.
$160.00 5Ltrs Lifeguard 6 from Repco @ $645.00 for 20ltr drum.
$15.00 for gasket sealant.
Total: $525.00 and about 4 hours labour (mine) - I work slowly.
Plenty of "Liquid Gold" left for two more drain / fill cycles.

2005 D3 TDV6 HSE @ 244K

-Wasa

[Nomad9]

Hi Wasa,
Four hours sounds quite reasonable, we must work at the same pace. My prices and time more or less mirrors yours. I got my steel pan kit of Ebay, roughly the same price with the drain plug. I also took the old magnets out of the old sump and put them in the new steel sump. More magnets the better.............or so I have been led to believe.

[Wasa57]

Hi Wasa,
Four hours sounds quite reasonable, we must work at the same pace. My prices and time more or less mirrors yours. I got my steel pan kit of Ebay, roughly the same price with the drain plug. I also took the old magnets out of the old sump and put them in the new steel sump. More magnets the better.............or so I have been led to believe.

Much crud on the magnets after removal, Nomad? I didn't see any magnets in the plastic pan I removed (not surprising after attacking it with an angle grinder!)
I was thinking of adding magnets (perhaps in sheet-form) to the outside / under the steel pan. Being metal, I can't forsee a problem. Thoughts anyone?

-Wasa

[Nomad9]

Hi Wasa,
I have done three steel pan conversions to date, I have usually found like a grey paste around the magnets which I am assuming has some metallic substance to it. I have never found like shards of metal, only the grey paste ike substance.

What ever it is I am assuming it is better attached to a magnet than moving around a gearbox. I am changing out a filter on my steel pan next weekend, depending on what I find I'll post some pictures if there is anything noteworthy. The magnets, all four of them will be going back. I have always found magnets in the plastic pans I've taken off.

[jonesy63]

I think I would check for details when the tranny takes approximately 9 lts of Lifeguard6 at approx $30 per litre plus cost of filter, steel pan etc.

9L would be for a dry fill. It takes 5.5L after sump is removed, as there is some ATF left in the torque converter and cooler lines.

My guess is that they used Nulon ZF-compatible ATF to save costs. If you look at the Nulon label, it says they recommend using it from a dry fill. In other words, they aren't 100% confident it will mix with the ZF Lifeguard Fluid 6 and still work as they designed.

[rar110]

9L would be for a dry fill. It takes 5.5L after sump is removed, as there is some ATF left in the torque converter and cooler lines. My guess is that they used Nulon ZF-compatible ATF to save costs. If you look at the Nulon label, it says they recommend using it from a dry fill. In other words, they aren't 100% confident it will mix with the ZF Lifeguard Fluid 6 and still work as they designed.

I checked the bill they charged me for 12 lt of Lifeguard6, for a double flush. I will have ask them about it. I suspect because it had done 230,000km at that time.