Radiator Replacement, ATF top up needed?

[metzger]

I am going to install a new radiator soon before my current develops any cracks or leaks.

I know how to do the replacement, but since i have an automatic i was wondering if i need to top up the ATF after i install the new radiator.

How much fluid is in the part of the radiator that cools the transmission. Also which fluid should i use and how do i top it up?

Or do i not have to worry about ATF top up?

If anyone can provide some knowledge it would be appreciated.

My Magna is a 2002 TJ series 2, advance v6 sedan, automatic 242,000km.

[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.

[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.

[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

[Ensoniq5]

I agree re the difficulty of checking levels accurately, I was never really satisfied that I had it bang on.

I obviously don't know the history of your car and it sounds like you are having it professionally maintained, but if you're not sure how long it has been since your transmission fluid was replaced I would think that this would be a good time to do it... basically killing two birds with one stone. From what I have seen on this forum and my own experiences, having good, clean fluid is one of the most important things you can do to improve the longevity of your transmission and prevent failures. The following thread covers the basic DIY fluid replacement process but a search of this forum would be recommended: https://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=107652

[metzger]

Drain ATF, disconnect one of the lines from the radiator that comes from AT, run car in Neutral until flow stops and shut off car. Put ATF drain plug back in and reconnect hose, measure what comes out and put same amount back in through ATF dip stick, use Castrol Transmax Multivehicle fluid.

Is that the correct procedure? Do i leave the drain plug out while doing the part when you run the car in neutral?

[metzger]

I have the Workshop Manual on my computer, i checked the section for Transmission fluid for the recommended steps to drain.

That seems to show steps to flush, but i shouldn't flush? I should just empty out about 5.5L then add back in 5.5L of fresh fluid, so about 3L of the old fluid will still remain inside.

[leadfoot6]

I have the Workshop Manual on my computer, i checked the section for Transmission fluid for the recommended steps to drain.

That seems to show steps to flush, but i shouldn't flush? I should just empty out about 5.5L then add back in 5.5L of fresh fluid, so about 3L of the old fluid will still remain inside.

The first time I emptied fluid from my TL AWD, I undid the sump magnetic drain plug on the passengers side.

From memory, I drained 4.7 litres of fluid, which at the time I measured very carefully.

There would be additional fluid drain from undoing the radiator coolant tank hoses.

The "5.5L" figure that you mentioned would be very close to being accurate.

I was quite happy at the time to see that there were no sections of wave spring on the magnetic sump plug.

There was not even the tiniest amount of metallic "fur" attached to the plug.

Bonus.

The transmission behaved perfectly then, 4 years ago(160,000km), and after a few more drain & fills(all using genuine Mitsubishi SP111 ATF), plus a comprehensive fluid change at MitsFix 12 months ago(190,000km - they used Castrol Multivehicle full synthetic ATF), it is still perfect now(201,000km).

Happy Days.

[metzger]

Thanks leadfoot6 and Ensoniq5