Changing gearbox fluid

I thought I remembered seeing a picture thread about changing the gearbox fluid, but I can't find it now. Maybe it was my other car?

Anyway, I have a '96 300tdi with an automatic gearbox. I see the drain plug on the bottom, but don't see a fill plug. Do you just fill through the dipstick? Or am I missing the fill plug?

Thanks

Here you go...

DIFFLOCK - 5 speed box Oil change

I have an automatic, not the 5-speed. I didn't see a fill plug above the drain plug.

if it's same as me neighbours V8 Auto, yer ave ter refill through the dipstick hole.

mko9 said:

I have an automatic, not the 5-speed. I didn't see a fill plug above the drain plug.

Click to expand...

My bad, didn't read your post properly.

According to the owner's manual, the fluid capacity is 9.8L. Can anyone comment as to how much of that will actually drain out? How much fluid will I really need to refill on a fluid change?

Thanks

just recently dropped the sump off mine got about 3 litres out the drain the rest stays in the torque convertor, and yeah you fill it up through teh dipstick.

Ooops :edit: think i stuck about 3 1/2 litres back in

mko9 said:

According to the owner's manual, the fluid capacity is 9.8L. Can anyone comment as to how much of that will actually drain out? How much fluid will I really need to refill on a fluid change?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Refill to a level between the two dots on the dipstick.

Sorcy said:

just recently dropped the sump off mine got about 3 litres out the drain the rest stays in the torque convertor, and yeah you fill it up through teh dipstick.

Ooops :edit: think i stuck about 3 1/2 litres back in

Click to expand...

Wow, 3.5 out of almost 10L isn't very much. I just want to make sure I have enough with me to do the job, and not end up with a bunch of extra bottles of fluid in the basement.

Yeah i was quite surprised too, one thing that i did wonder about tho was someone on here said that if the oil is brown and smells burnt then it needs changin if its still pinkish and smells ok then it dont but if thats the case how dya get the rest out of the torque convertor to change that anorl ?

Sorcy said:

Yeah i was quite surprised too, one thing that i did wonder about tho was someone on here said that if the oil is brown and smells burnt then it needs changin if its still pinkish and smells ok then it dont but if thats the case how dya get the rest out of the torque convertor to change that anorl ?

Click to expand...

Refill and use for a 50miles then drain, refill and use for 50miles then drain etc etc.

If it's brown and smells burnt the there's problems with the clutches burning.

It's big in the USA where most vehicles are autos, a company will drain the oil with the help of a machine via the oil cooler pipe. I understand that the machine drains and refills.There are a few firms in the UK that do it now.

Have a look on the web the machine is supplied by Winns.

just had a look out of interest and found loads

like this

C.E. Smith 12 Volt Oil Changer