Draining & Refilling
- Raise and support the vehicle. Remove the bolts and the left splash shield from the vehicle. Place a drain pan or suitable container under the transaxle oil pan.
- Remove the transaxle drain plug from the transaxle oil pan and drain the fluid.
- Remove the 18 bolts, the transaxle oil pan and the oil pan gasket from the transaxle. Remove the 3 bolts (2, 3), the oil filter screen (1) and the gasket from the valve body. See Fig 1 .
- Inspect the bottom of the oil pan for any large pieces of metal or other foreign matter. Clean the oil filter screen with solvent and dry thoroughly. If the screen mesh is damaged, replace the filter screen.
- Clean the transaxle oil pan magnets and the bottom of the transaxle oil pan. Clean the gasket material from the oil pan-to-case mating surfaces.
- Install the oil filter screen gasket and the oil filter screen (2) to the valve body assembly. Secure the screen with 3 bolts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install the NEW transaxle oil pan gasket and transaxle oil pan to transaxle. Secure with 18 bolts. Tighten the transaxle oil pan bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install the transaxle oil pan drain plug. Tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Remove the drain pan from under the transaxle. Install the left splash shield (1) to the vehicle and tighten the bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Lower the vehicle. Fill transaxle with appropriate fluid to proper level. See RECOMMENDED FLUIDS and FLUID CAPACITIES .
NOTE:
When removing the transaxle oil pan, use caution in order not to damage the transaxle case-to-oil pan mating surfaces. If the oil pan is frozen to the transaxle case, use a rubber mallet and a wood block to lightly tap the oil pan free. Do not attempt to pry the oil pan away from the case with metal tools; damage to the case or oil pan flange could result.
NOTE:
A small amount of clutch material in the bottom of the transaxle oil pan is a normal condition and is consistent with normal transaxle wear. The bottom of the oil pan is equipped with a magnet that will collect small metal filings. However, if large amounts of clutch material, metal shavings or other foreign matter are present, disassembly and inspection of the transaxle is required.