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D4 ATF Change

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 7:15 am
by Stu
What’s the score with the 8spd gearbox and getting a mega flush done?

Car feels absolutely fine so this is preventative but thinking it’s better to do it while it feels fine.

@bodsy am I right that this is something you can’t do?

Re: D4 ATF Change

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 7:42 am
by anglefire
The problem with the 8speed, on the D4, is the oil cooler is thermostatically controlled - so unless the oil is hot you can't change that bit of the system. And getting the oil hot (that goes in to replace the old) is a challenge and let's face it a risk in all sorts of ways!

Re: D4 ATF Change

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 5:11 pm
by PillowSmuggler
I take it the thermostat is buried deep inside the bowels of the transmission and cannot be temporarily removed like you would a water one?
Or if it's a controlled solenoid valve rather than a wax disc, perhaps IID can convince it to open?
Just thinking out loud.
Stu; how easy is it to access the sump? I have read of people that consider changing 2 pints of fluid per year at service time to be an acceptable alternative to leaving it alone; that way you at least continue to top up the cleaning properties and remove part of the contamination at the same time, keeping it never fully fresh and never fully stale. Doesn't sound a bad alternative if the mega flush isn't possible imho.

Re: D4 ATF Change

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 5:17 pm
by anglefire
Dom,

You'd be better off dropping all the oil out of the sump and topping up than just a couple of pints - it holds something like 6-8ltrs?

The thermostat is not bypassible AFAIK - I think it is external to the box though - the one on my BMW is (Same box) and that can't be easily bypassed.

Re: D4 ATF Change

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 7:24 pm
by PillowSmuggler
Another case of "Designed for life cough...of the warranty...cough" I guess.

Re: D4 ATF Change

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 8:55 am
by Bodsy
I can do 8 speeds now, as Mark said, it has a thermostat ( mechanical, not controllable by anything other than temperature).
Takes longer as you have to wait for it to cool down after you’ve done it to be able to check the level. :thumbright:

Re: D4 ATF Change

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 8:04 pm
by Stu
Ah ok that’s cool (or hot).

Let me know when you’re coming down to do Richards!

Re: D4 ATF Change

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 8:04 pm
by Stu
Ah ok that’s cool (or hot).

Let me know when you’re coming down to do Richards!