Draining the torque converter without removing cross pipe - form a funnel. With pic

[texas993]

I recently bought this form a funnel for doing the oil changes in my 993 due to the mess that is made. But I used it today after trying to avoid removing the x pipe on the 500E.

Works well. Fortunately, my drain plugs were in excellent shape and the plug came out easily with a ball ended allen wrench.

Fluid looks excellent. After a few hours of draining, I'll replace the filter (OE) and fill with Red Line D4 as suggested by Dave.

http://www.amazon.com/PIG®-Form-A-F...&qid=1383666708&sr=8-1&keywords=form+a+funnel

 

[gerryvz]

Good on ya. I know the Derf is a big fan of the form a funnel too. I have seen them for sale at local parts places like Autozone and O'Reilly as well. Thought about getting one but haven't yet....

Mann transmissions filters are quite good, as well as the OE filter.

It's amazing how much fluid drains out between the TC and the pan !!

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[texas993]

Gerry, that darn TC won't stop draining! It is a lot of fluid!

I actually removed the lower bolts on the crossover pipe, but didn't really want to get the manifold bolts. I realized it was easier to squeeze in and work around it. Had my drain plug been stripped or suspect, I wouldn't have done that.

BTW, I had the wheels refinished and will pick them up shortly. Two of them were slightly bent thus the vibration at speed. They should be perfect now. Yeehaw!

 

[gerryvz]

The crossover pipe isn't that big of a deal to remove and replace, the bolts are pretty easily accessible. When I did my fluid change earlier this year, I had ordered new bolts and installed them -- they're cheap from parts.com.

Take some photos for your OWNER thread of the refinished wheels.

Update on the stereo? Did you do any research on the Rainbows? They are a nice upgrade for the dash speakers. You can get Rainbows for the rear (not for the doors though) but the best ROI on Rainbows is for the dash speakers.

 

[gsxr]

Not to start a stereo war... but the Rainbow upgrade for the rear deck speakers applies to plebian 124 models, not the 500E sound system. The early 124 rear speakers were quite pathetic, both small and non-coaxial. However, the rear deck speakers in the 500E are much larger, and have dual angled tweeters. The Rainbows would be a downgrade in a 500E, not an upgrade. The Rainbows are a nice plug+play upgrade for the front dash if you're inclined to replace them.

Now back to your regularly scheduled ATF bath.

 

[Trae]

Just remember to replace 8 Quarts of transmission fluid to your (---speakers) torque converter and trannny, NOT 7.5; NOT 8.5 qts.

8.0 qts. is the magic number.

As Dave would say, "don't ask me how I know!"

 

[gsxr]

LOL.

After refilling with 8.0 quarts, check the level with the tranny fully hot (minimum 15-20 minutes at freeway speeds). You may need to add a bit more, or none at all. Make sure the level is above MIN when hot but not above MAX. It's better to be a bit under max than a bit over. Add in ~4oz increments, it's quite easy to over-fill, and less easy to drain out small amounts.

 

[Glen]

Also, you should start the engine after the first 4 to 5 quarts and leave it running while you fill the remainder.

 

[gerryvz]

I have found it took 7.9 quarts in my car, but I only let the TC drain (on a warm car when I did it) for an hour or so.

I refilled mine with 7.5 quarts, than filled it (checking with the dipstick) until it showed an appropriate level, then ran the car until it got hot, and then adjusted accordingly per Dave's post #7 & Glen's post #8 above. I didn't want to put the full 7.9/8 quarts in blanket, until I had a good gauge of the level of the fluid overall.

With regard to the Rainbows. I do have both Rainbow rear deck speakers and fronts in my E500, and fronts in my wife's E320 wagon. I got the rears/fronts for the E500 directly from the Rainbow factory in Germany, when I visited then in the 2004/2005 time frame. (and got a wonderful "direct" discount on them.... paid about half the price I would have in the USA).

The rears I have do have multiple drivers, and were a direct plug-in and fit just fine under my rear speaker covers. They were a moderate upgrade over my factory 1994 rear speakers (similar to the fronts).

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[texas993]

Good advice on the fluid. I'll take care in filling it.

Yes, Gerry, pics of the wheels on my owner site.

And my blown speaker is the passenger door speaker. I don't read much about upgrading that one. Generally, upgrading the stereo isn't on my list yet. Getting it to sound right is … so I will pull the door panel, unplug the speaker temporarily, get the correct part number, and source a used one. That should get me straight for a while.

 

[gsxr]

The door speakers are a funky size and almost nothing fits. Plus it's 2-ohm, IIRC, making it even more difficult to find an aftermarket replacement that won't mess with the factory amps and crossovers. Best bet is to replace with either new, or good used. They're not a common failure so you can usually find used ones pretty reasonably priced.

 

[gerryvz]

I would agree that used is the way to go.

Last year I replaced the rear door speakers in my wife's wagon with new ones from parts.com, and they were not particularly cheap. IIRC they were around $45 each? I'll have to look up the price.

 

[texas993]

My dealer said that they are no longer available. But I also think that he looked up the wrong part number as it is different than the sticker on mine. I'll try Claasic. Simply for price data.

 

[texas993]

All done with the trans fluid change and the diff gear oil change. I am pleased to report that the oils were very clean and nothing was found in the trans pan. Everything looked brand new. However, once I filled it up with fluid, lowered the car off the jackstands, put all the tools away and was about to head inside …. yep, you guessed it - red fluid on the ground. DARN IT.

Back out come the tools, jack the car back up, and I checked the seal. Looked good. Then I re-torqued the bolts. Oops, one was loose on the side that was leaking. I KNOW that I torqued all of them. Oh well, re-torqued them and all is dry. (8 nm)

Went for a test drive and yeeeehaaawww! What was once a smooth transmission is even smoother!

It is ready for the next road trip!