draining the torque converter?

[drewskee89]

Just changed the Transmission fluid in the pan at 130k miles. It was shuddering between shifts really bad (mostly from first to second) so I dropped the pan and replaced the filter. Fluid looked brownish and the little yellow plug from the factory was in the pan (possibly first tranny fluid change: previous owner maintenance unknown). The magnet was pretty clean despite some gunk (no metal). The car shifted pretty good initially but the shudder still persists on cold/hot days. I want to change it again and drain the torque converter and was looking for a tutorial that might include pics, and tools needed, especially what size wrench is needed to turn the engine over manually to access the drain plug (also a description on how to do this would be nice). Thanks!

Car is my DD and a 2002 V6 Auto, True Blue with 17in. Starfish GT wheels. Spoilerless, Divorced duals w Flowmaster 40's and CAI. Recently did balljoints, tierod ends, poly steering rack bushings, KYB GR2 shocks and struts.

 

[justinschmidt1]

Some of them don't even have a drain bolt....but you should be able to use a big screwdriver to rotate it around until the plug is facing down

 

[MustangChris]

drain a TQ converter???? I've never heard of such a thing.

 

[MustangChris]

what fluid do you put in them?

 

[DeepList]

Yours should have it. My 99 V6 auto had the drain bolt torque converter.

 

[drewskee89]

My car has a rubber grommet looking piece on the bottom of the torque converter that you can pop out with a flat head or something. From what I've researched I have to turn the engine over to access the drain bolt but I'm kind of unsure about how to do this.

I put Mercon V Tranny Fluid in it on the first change, how much is needed if I drop the pan and drain the converter?

 

[justinschmidt1]

Most 2002s DONT have the plug just fyi Op...well the ones I've worked on.

99/00/01 for w.e reason mostly had them...then they stopped putting them on the newer cars.

 

[DeepList]

drain a TQ converter???? I've never heard of such a thing.

what fluid do you put in them?

Automatic trans fluid MC. The pump will fill it back up after its been drained.

 

[MustangChris]

wow.

 

[justinschmidt1]

My car has a rubber grommet looking piece on the bottom of the torque converter that you can pop out with a flat head or something. From what I've researched I have to turn the engine over to access the drain bolt but I'm kind of unsure about how to do this.

I put Mercon V Tranny Fluid in it on the first change, how much is needed if I drop the pan and drain the converter?

That rubber cover is the 4r70w case..
Not the converter. The converter is inside the case. Pop the plug and u can see it in there....and bumping the engine over will work but I don't think you will have a plug.

Draining the pan is only like 4-5 qts iirc....but what your gonna wanna do is add like 3 quarts, fire the car up, run the gear selector through all the gears without moving, and keep filling the fluid up until the dipstick reads good

 

[justinschmidt1]

By bumping you just turn the starter a bit without starting the car

 

[drewskee89]

I've already dropped the pan once and it took 5 quarts to get it to the correct level. If I don't have a plug what's the best option? Just keep dropping the pan every few thousand miles til the fluid clears up?

 

[justinschmidt1]

I've already dropped the pan once and it took 5 quarts to get it to the correct level. If I don't have a plug what's the best option? Just keep dropping the pan every few thousand miles til the fluid clears up?

That sounds about right.

Nope...just change the filter and the 5 quarts every 30-50k and you will be fine. Get a trans cooler if your worried about your fluid lasting.

 

[drewskee89]

Thanks, also where can you buy bulk Mercon V?

 

[MustangChris]

jegs.com might sell it in bulk or in larger containers.

 

[justinschmidt1]

I always bought my mercon v from Napa

 

[99GreenStang]

the shuddering you are talking about if it didnt clear up .. try taking the torque converter inspection plate off and seeing if any of the bolts are loose this can cause the shuddering . just a idea . hope i help