DRAINING & REFILLING
| WARNING | When the transmission is at operating temperatures, take necessary precautions when removing the check/fill plug, to avoid being burned by draining fluid. |
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Place a drain pan under the transmission. Clean any dirt from around the transmission check/fill plug. Remove the transmission fluid check/fill plug and allow the fluid to drain. (Scheme 115)
- Support the transmission oil pan. Remove the transmission oil pan bolts. Loosely reinstall the fluid check/fill plug. Lightly tap the oil pan with a rubber mallet or pry gently in order to loosen the pan. Remove the transmission oil pan. (Scheme 116) Drain the remaining fluid from the oil pan.
- Grasp firmly while pulling down with a twisting motion in order to remove the filter. Remove the filter seal. The filter seal may be stuck in the pump. If necessary, carefully use pliers or another suitable tool to remove the seal. Discard the seal. (Scheme 117)and (Scheme 118).
- Inspect the transmission fluid. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION»(/chevrolet/corvette/c5-1997-2004/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-servicing__checking-fluid-level-condition). Inspect the transmission fluid filter. Pry the metal crimping away from the top of the filter and pull apart. The filter may contain evidence for root cause diagnosis: Clutch material. Bronze slivers indicating bushing wear. Steel particles.
- Clean the oil pan gasket mating surfaces, on both the transmission case and the transmission oil pan, with solvent and air dry. Coat the new filter seal with a small amount of Transjel(tm) (J 36850) or equivalent. Install the new filter seal into the transmission case. Gently tap the seal into place using a suitable size socket. (Scheme 119)
- Install the new oil filter into position as noted during removal. Inspect the oil pan bolts and washers to determine if the conical washers are reversed. Reuse the oil pan bolts and washers if the conical washers are NOT reversed. Replace the oil pan bolts and washers if the conical washers are reversed. (Scheme 120)
- Install the new oil pan gasket to the oil pan sealing surface. Position the oil pan to the transmission case and support the oil pan.
- Install the oil pan bolts. Tighten the transmission oil pan bolts alternately and evenly to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/corvette/c5-1997-2004/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-servicing__torque-specifications). Remove the transmission fluid check/fill plug. Fill the transmission with appropriate fluid through the check/fill plug hole until fluid begins to pour out, then install the check/fill plug hand-tight. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(/chevrolet/corvette/c5-1997-2004/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-servicing__recommended-fluids).
- Complete filling the transmission with fluid to the proper level. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION»(/chevrolet/corvette/c5-1997-2004/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-servicing__checking-fluid-level-condition). Tighten the transmission fluid check/fill plug to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/chevrolet/corvette/c5-1997-2004/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission-servicing__torque-specifications). Inspect the oil pan gasket for leaks.
