Radiator Replacement, ATF top up needed?

[leadfoot6]

You will most certainly lose some fluid that will need to be replaced.

Do a "before and after" check of the transmission dipstick, and also try to have a good sized flat pan to catch the spill.

Fluid will, of course, drain from both the hoses and the radiator.

Measure the amount of fluid in the pan to give you an estimate of how much fluid you need to add to replace the amount lost.

Have 2 x small phillips head screwdrivers of the appropriate size ready to insert into the hoses to minimise fluid lost.

(IIRC hose inside diameter is 8mm)

Or similar sized long, round objects like fine thread bolts etc.

You should lose less than 1 litre of fluid in total.

Purchase any of these 1 litre containers:

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...re/309870.html

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...re/396371.html

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...re/396370.html

(when you go to a Supercheap store, they should have a book or data source to help you choose the right fluid)

Or genuine Mitsubishi dealer only SP111 ATF.

I have only ever purchased SP111 in 5 litre containers, and I am not sure if 1 litre containers are available.

Ring a dealer first.

I have one of these purchased a long while ago in Australia:

https://www.ipdusa.com/products/1089...ance-tool-w220




It makes adding ATF easier, but for some strange reason I cannot find a link to any Australian store that supplies them currently.

They must surely be available somewhere from an Australian retailer/ebay, but I just can't find one despite spending a fair amount of time trying to find one.

**EDIT

This is about the closest that I can find from an Australian seller that I could reasonably guarantee that the end of the small spout would fit down inside the transmission dipstick:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Lisle-1980...704898&sr=8-10

[metzger]

Thanks for the info. I have only had the car for a couple years so i don't know what ATF is currently being used. I assume its safe to mix different brands as long as its the correct type?

Can i just put the fluid that comes out back in? Or better to put new stuff?

Also when i check the dip stick it looks as if its above the 2 notches, i told the mechanic that it appears over filled but they said the levels were correct.

[leadfoot6]

Thanks for the info. I have only had the car for a couple years so i don't know what ATF is currently being used. I assume its safe to mix different brands as long as its the correct type?

Can i just put the fluid that comes out back in? Or better to put new stuff?

Also when i check the dip stick it looks as if its above the 2 notches, i told the mechanic that it appears over filled but they said the levels were correct.

Yes, it is generally OK to mix the fluids, providing it is the correct type.

If you were scrupulous in ensuring that no foreign material got in the drained fluid, you would also be OK to use that to refill.

But just in case, spend the $18 or so and have a 1 litre bottle on hand just in case.

Despite years and years and years of trying, I always seem to have trouble taking a measure from the dipstick and getting it accurate, so I will not comment on your individual situation in this respect.

No matter what I do, and how much advice is given from different quarters, I will admit that I have some inexplicable difficulty with this in many instances.

I tend to rely on measuring the amount that has come out when doing a drain and fill, and replacing it with the EXACT same amount as the replacement.

That way, I can never be too far wrong, assuming that the starting amount was roughly correct.

I feel less inadequate when I see that I am not the only one who has difficulty, e.g.:

Anybody else having problems measuring proper transmission fluid level?

https://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...uid-level.html

[metzger]

Okay, i will get a fresh bottle of the Castrol stuff to use. I will measure how much ATF comes out and put back in that same amount.