E4OD Pan drain idea
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: None of your business
E4OD Pan drain idea
Could you drill a hole into the pan to drain the fluid and put a drain plug in the hole when you are finished? How close are the tranny internals. I think that if you were careful, you could just barely drill through and avoid the ATF shower of just taking the pan off.
Also, where is the best place to put the drain plug?
Mike
Also, where is the best place to put the drain plug?
Mike
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Providence, RI
You should pull the pan before doing that. Not only will you get a Mercon shower, but you may leave shavings in the pan.
Once it's off, you can drill a hole and add an aftermarket drain-plug kit; about $6-$10 from most parts stores.
Just one note; make sure you don't drill in a place that will interfere with the filter pickup.
AMHIK.
Once it's off, you can drill a hole and add an aftermarket drain-plug kit; about $6-$10 from most parts stores.
Just one note; make sure you don't drill in a place that will interfere with the filter pickup.
AMHIK.
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Postmaster
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From: None of your business
No, I'm not blindly commited to this plan of action. There are still some things I don't know that will affect my decision. Such as the best place for the plug and the space between the pan and the internals. As for the shower thing, I don't think it would be any worse than when you unscrew the plug for the oil on your engine. It splashes a little, but much less than if you took off the whole pan. Anyone else have any input?
Mike
Mike
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
I agree with Bob. You should remove the pan. The drain plug kits that I have seen don't thread into the pan itself, but have a backer nut and O-ring (B & M kit). So you have to remove the pan to install the plug. And how do you plan to clean the pan without removing it?
If you drain the torque converter and cooling lines first there will be very little fluid left in the pan. I recently removed my 4r100 (2wd, no plug) tranny pan this way without any spillage.
Its a great idea to add the plug. Since you're already changing the fluid, its worth dropping the pan anyway. All the sludge and shavings are in the bottom of the pan around the magnet. Its a good idea to clean the INSIDE of the pan and the magnet. Also a good time to replace the filter. Again, I agree with Bob, bad idea to drill into pan while installed.
If you drain the torque converter and cooling lines first there will be very little fluid left in the pan. I recently removed my 4r100 (2wd, no plug) tranny pan this way without any spillage.
Its a great idea to add the plug. Since you're already changing the fluid, its worth dropping the pan anyway. All the sludge and shavings are in the bottom of the pan around the magnet. Its a good idea to clean the INSIDE of the pan and the magnet. Also a good time to replace the filter. Again, I agree with Bob, bad idea to drill into pan while installed.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Providence, RI
If you drill with the pan attached, you have no guarantee that you'll avoid hitting the filter pickup tube. And, as pounder pointed out, you need access to both sides of the pan to install most drain-plug kits.
To avoid any spills, I have bought large plastic concrete mixing tubs from Home Depot (or Ace or any other hardware store); real cheap, and so large that it's virtually impossible to have any fluid spill outside the tub. It's also great for draining coolant on vehicles where the fluid travels along a crossmember or steering linkage, and it's under $10.
To avoid any spills, I have bought large plastic concrete mixing tubs from Home Depot (or Ace or any other hardware store); real cheap, and so large that it's virtually impossible to have any fluid spill outside the tub. It's also great for draining coolant on vehicles where the fluid travels along a crossmember or steering linkage, and it's under $10.
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Postmaster
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From: None of your business
Ok, that's what I wanted to hear. So I won't do it to avoid hitting the pickup, etc. I plan on taking the pan off. I know how the drains attach and what not, I just have never been inside this trans and didn't know what to watch out for. I plan to drop the pan, drain the torque conv. and blow out the lines. That is why I didn't worry about the metal shavings. Also, where is the best place for the drain.
Mike
Mike
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