Automatic Transmission Servicing: Maintenance Oldsmobile Aurora II

SERVICE INTERVALS

Change the ATF and filter every 50,000 miles if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions

1. In heavy traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
2. In hilly or mountainous terrain.
3. When doing frequent towing.
4. Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.

If the vehicle is not used under any of these conditions, change the fluid and filter every 100,000 miles.

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION (4T65-E)

1. Start the engine and allow the engine to idle until the transaxle has reached 180-200°F (82-93°C). Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever through the gear ranges, pausing a few seconds in each gear. Is the fluid Red or Light Brown? If so, go to step 4 . If not, go to next step.
2. Does the fluid have a burnt odor or a Dark Brown color? If so, go to step 11 . If not, go to next step.
3. Does the fluid have a cloudy or milky appearance? If so, go to step 10 . If not, go to next step.
4. Check the fluid level. The vehicle must be level, with the engine running and the shift lever in the Park range. Check both sides of the fluid level indicator, and read the lower level. The proper fluid level should be in the middle of the cross-hatch. Is the fluid level too high? If so, go to step 9 . If not, go to next step.
5. Is the fluid level low? If not, system is okay. If so, go to next step.
6. Add DEXRON-III(R) ATF in increments of 17 oz. (0.5L) until the fluid is in the middle of the cross-hatch. Check both sides of the fluid level indicator, and read the lower level. Did you add more than 51 oz. (1.5L) to the transaxle? If not, go to step 9 . If so, go to next step.
7. Check for external leaks. Did you find any leaks? If not, go to step 15 . If so, go to next step.
8. Correct the leak condition. Did you correct the leak condition? If so, go to step 15 .
9. Remove any excess fluid to the proper level, the middle of the cross-hatch. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If so, system is okay.
10. The transaxle is contaminated with engine coolant. Replace the cooler. Is the replacement complete? If so, go to step 12 .
11. Drain the fluid to determine if the fluid is contaminated. A very small amount of material in the bottom pan is a normal condition, but large pieces of metal or other material in the bottom pan require a transaxle overhaul. Was the fluid contaminated? If so, go to step 13 . If not, go to next step.
12. Overhaul the transaxle. See appropriate OVERHAUL article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. Is the overhaul complete? If so, go to next step.
13. Flush the cooler. See «OIL COOLER FLUSHING»(ref-138396-S19526758672002041100000) . Has the cooler been flushed? If so, go to next step.
14. Change the fluid and the filter. See «DRAINING & REFILLING (4T65-E)»(ref-138396-S34825967902002041100000) . Is the procedure complete? If so, go to next step.
15. Add new fluid to the proper level, in the middle of the cross-hatch. Is the procedure complete? If so, system is okay.

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION (4T80-E)

Note. Applying the brake pedal during this procedure will affect the fluid level reading.

Start the engine and operate the vehicle for 15 minutes or until the transmission fluid reaches an operating temperature of 180-200°F (82-93°C). Park the vehicle on a level surface. With your foot on the brake, move the shift lever through each gear range. Pause for about 3 seconds in each range, ending in Park. Apply the parking brake and let the engine idle for 3 minutes. Remove the transmission fluid level indicator, wipe the indicator clean, and reinsert the indicator. Give the indicator a full twist to close. Wait 3 seconds and remove the indicator. Read both sides of the indicator. The fluid must be within the hot cross-hatched area using the lowest level reading.

1. Check the fluid life monitor. Is the monitor life 10 percent or less? If so, go to step 16 . If not, go to next step.
2. Check the fluid color. Is the fluid Red in color? If so, go to step 6 . If not, go to next step.
3. Is the fluid color non-transparent Pink? If so, go to step 15 . If not, go to next step.
4. Is the fluid Light Brown in color? If so, go to step 6 . If not, go to next step.
5. Is the fluid Black in color and/or have a burnt smell? If so, go to step 15 . If not, go to next step.
6. Does the fluid appear as solid liquid, and not foamy or full of bubbles, on the level indicator? If so, go to next step If not, go to step 8 .
7. Check the fluid level. The proper level should be in the middle of the crisscross pattern on the level indicator. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If so, go to step 20 . If not, go to next step.
8. Is the fluid level high on the indicator? If so, go to step 13 . If not, go to next step.
9. Is the fluid level low on the indicator? If not, go to step 5 . If so, go to next step.
10. Check for external leaks. Did you find an external leak? If not, go to step 12 . If so, go to next step.
11. Repair the leaks as needed. Are any leaks still present? If so, go to step 10 . If so, go to next step.
12. Add fluid until the level of the fluid is in the middle of the crisscross pattern on the level indicator. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If not, go to step 7 . If so, go to step 20 .
13. Drain the fluid until the fluid level is in the middle of the crisscross mark on the level indicator. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If so, go to step 20 . If not, go to step 7 .
14. Replace the oil cooler. Flush the oil cooler lines. See «OIL COOLER FLUSHING»(ref-138396-S19526758672002041100000) . Did you complete the replacement? If so, go to step 16 .
15. Drain the transmission fluid. Inspect the oil pan. Are there signs of internal component damage in the bottom of the transaxle oil pan? If so, go to step 18 . If not, go to step 14 .
16. Replace the transmission fluid and filter. See «DRAINING & REFILLING (4T80-E)»(ref-138396-S12321959792002041100000) . Did you complete the replacement? If so, go to step 7 .
17. Flush the oil cooler and the lines. See «OIL COOLER FLUSHING»(ref-138396-S19526758672002041100000) . Did you complete the transmission oil cooler flushing and flow test? If so, go to step 19 .
18. Overhaul the transaxle. See appropriate OVERHAUL article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. Is the transaxle overhaul procedure complete? If so, go to step 17 .
19. Add new transmission fluid. Did you add new transmission fluid? If so, go to step 7 .
20. Check the fluid level and correct as necessary. Is the fluid level satisfactory? If so, go to next step.
21. If equipped, reset the oil life monitor to 100 percent. Are all of the reset procedures complete? If so, system is okay.

RECOMMENDED FLUIDS

Manufacturer recommends DEXRON-III(R) ATF. Fill transaxle with appropriate quantity. See FLUID CAPACITIES .

DRAINING & REFILLING (4T65-E)

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Place the drain pan under the transaxle oil pan.
2. Remove the oil pan bolts from only the front and the sides. Loosen the rear oil pan bolts about 4 turns. Lightly tap the oil pan with a rubber mallet or pry in order to allow the fluid to drain.
3. Inspect the fluid color. Remove the remaining oil pan bolts. Remove the oil pan (24) and the gasket (25). (Scheme 499) Remove the oil filter. Use a long screwdriver in order to pry the oil filter neck out of the seal.
4. Check the oil filter seal for damage or wear. As needed, remove the seal using the Slide Hammer (J-6125-1B) and the Universal Seal Remover (J-23129). Install a new seal, as needed.
5. Before installing, coat the new seal with a small amount of Transmission Assembly Lubricant (J-36850) or petroleum jelly. Install a new filter into the case. (Scheme 500)
6. Install the oil pan (24) and the gasket (25) at the same time. (Scheme 499) Install the oil pan bolts. Tighten the bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-138396-S38188283472002041100000).
7. Lower the vehicle. Fill transaxle to the proper level. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION (4T65-E)»(ref-138396-S36178954172002041100000). Inspect the oil pan gasket for leaks.

Scheme 499

Scheme 500

DRAINING & REFILLING (4T80-E)

1. Raise the vehicle and support. Place a drain pan under the transaxle bottom pan in order to catch the fluid.
2. Loosen the bottom pan bolts. Drain any fluid in the pan. Remove the bottom pan bolts, pan, and seal. (Scheme 501) Inspect the bottom pan for dents or nicks on the sealing surface. If damaged, replace.
3. For proper sealing, clean and dry the bottom pan and the case sealing surfaces. In order to maintain proper bolt torque, the bolts and tapped holes in the case must be clean and dry.
4. Install the bottom pan, new seal, and bolts. Finger-tighten the bolts. (Scheme 501) Tighten the pan bolts 3 times to the proper specification, in the sequence shown. (Scheme 502)
5. Lower the vehicle. Add DEXRON-III(R) transmission fluid as required.

Scheme 501

Scheme 502

OIL COOLER FLUSHING

Note. GM studies indicate that plugged or restricted transaxle oil coolers and pipes cause insufficient transaxle lubrication and elevated operating temperatures which can lead to premature transaxle wear-out. Many cases could have been prevented by following published procedures for transaxle oil cooler flushing and flow checking. This procedure includes flushing and flow checking the auxiliary oil cooler, if equipped. GM requires that oil cooler flushing and flow checking be performed whenever a transaxle is removed from the vehicle for service within warranty, including: Goodwin, SWAT, major overhaul, torque converter replacement and oil pump replacement.

Initial Flush

1. Turn the transmission oil cooler and line flusher water supply valve (1) to the ON position and allow water to flow through the oil cooler and pipes for 10 seconds to remove any remaining transmission fluid. (Scheme 503) If water does not flow through the oil cooler and pipes, the cause of the blockage must be diagnosed and the plugged component must be repaired or replaced. Continue with the cooler flushing and flow check procedure once the blockage is corrected.
2. Turn the transmission oil cooler and line flusher water supply valve (1) to the OFF position and clip the discharge hose (5) onto an appropriate container with a lid, to avoid splashback. (Scheme 504) Turn the transmission oil cooler and line flusher water supply valve (1) to the ON position and depress the trigger (8) to mix cooler flushing solution into the water flow. see scheme 9 Use the clip provided on the handle to hold the trigger (8) down. The discharge will foam vigorously when the solution is introduced into the water stream.
3. Flush the oil cooler and pipes with water and solution for 2 minutes. During this flush, attach the shop air supply of 120 psi to the flushing system feed air valve (2) located on the transmission oil cooler and line flusher for 3-5 seconds at the end of every 15-20 second interval to create a surging action.
4. Release the trigger (8) and turn the transmission oil cooler and line flusher water supply valve (1) to the OFF position.

Scheme 503

Scheme 504

Back Flush

1. Disconnect both hoses from the oil cooler pipes and then connect them to the opposite oil cooler pipe. This will allow the oil cooler and pipes to be back flushed. Repeat steps 2 and 3 of the INITIAL FLUSH procedure. Release the trigger (8) of the transmission oil cooler and line flusher and allow water only to rinse the oil cooler and pipes for one minute.
2. Turn the transmission oil cooler and line flusher water supply valve (1) to the OFF position and turn OFF the water supply at the faucet. see scheme 10 Attach the shop air supply to the flushing system feed air valve (2) on the transmission oil cooler and line flusher, and blow out the water from the oil cooler and pipes. Continue until no water comes out of the discharge hose (5).