How to change the oil for the Torque Converter

fuzzimuzzi · 05-04-2013, 10:39 PM

If someone could let me know how to do this to my BA 1.8 auto 96.
or similar models.

Is there only one way or a few.

Or do you just change the gearbox oil regularly to clean it out slowly?

Where is the gearbox filter?

any help or advise would be great.

rodhog · 05-04-2013, 11:21 PM

You do a pan drop filter change IMO on that Gearbox every 20-30000km's. It Depends on temps car sees and how hard it's driven - the More winding road the more often. The more start stop the more often. Highway cars it's opposite as 90% it's locked up and modern auto by pass's the converter.

The bottom pan on most - not all. Has filter at the bottom normally what's knowns a 1 micron filter (engine oil uses a 5-10 micron filter) It's normally done by a Automatic transmission specialist. They will also tighten up wha'ts known as the Band. It provides drive to a Hub. This needs ot be done normally at intervals of 40-50000km's.

Post 2000 models cars most use what's known as Fill and forget auto's OR in other words buy another car when it blows up. They fill them once and forget. it's why some don't even have dipstick anymore.

Can you do it yourself. On a Holden or FORD yes. On mazda it's Yes and no. Yes you can but it can depend on model. I had BA I did it on my V6 by paying someone. Normally Part of the K-frame or structure actually gets in the way making a Lift and using it a job to be done in under 4 hours. On the ground it's pain in the arse.

You can also do a flush on the converter if it's really bad. Holden still do it at many dealerships. The modern Dealership is equivped to do it. They just use the Auto cooling line. Common trick for 2nd hand sales.

The filter/service kit costs Vary and getting hold of one can be hard.

My only other advice is Being a Mazda Jatco box- Don't abuse the car. The diff is always the weak point. if it's model I think it is was. If it's not shifitng nice and smooth and effortless has delay get it serviced. But don't abuse the box. Leave it in drive. Don't power out of corners unless wheels are straight.

All mazda Gearbox's with hold system and other electronic controls. Are well desgined just not built for abuse. Take a short burst but Don't thrash it for long times. Even if you fit additional cooling. The oil breaks down quickly and then the valve body gums up. It will never shift hard or smooth again.

TheMAN · 06-04-2013, 06:23 AM

you're wrong
all the new mazdas still have dipsticks, save for the very new MX-5 and RX-8 which changed over to a Ford gearbox

it is not necessary to change the filter... the bands are self adjusting and there's nothing really to adjust them

changing the filter of course involves dropping the pan... easy to do

only way to change the torque converter fluid is to either remove it and drain (drop the gearbox), or just flush the gearbox like everyone does

project.r.racing · 06-04-2013, 02:38 PM

if it hasn't been done in a long time. i would do a dump and refill 3 times. drive between dump and refills. whether you do it over a day, or over 3 weekends etc.

the i'd do a annual dump and refill.

Cosmo Dude · 06-04-2013, 07:32 PM

One of the things that many people don't understand is that when a car is serviced things like the auto trans, air con and LPG (where fitted) are not serviced and need independent attention.
Call an auto trans shop and tell them that you have been advised to have your trans serviced and ask for a price and call your local parts shop and ask for the price of a service kit. Then decide if it's worth your time.
Ed, if the Mx-5 and Rx-8 don't have dipsticks then Rodhog is correct when he said that 'some don't even have dipstick anymore'.

TheMAN · 06-04-2013, 08:05 PM

just because those new mazdas don't have dipsticks doesn't mean the fluid level can't be checked, unlike other cars... it's just hard, that's all

rodhog · 06-04-2013, 08:58 PM

Yes All understanding.

But my point being They might have them. But Might not be in the USA or Europe. But in Aus because we love Big Business we give them the right to have NO FIX OPTIONS.

So what they call 90% of auto's are Fill once from factory and FORGET IT. Includes Ford, GM and many other car makers here. Reason why they don't have dipsticks.
I think even the Mercs now have INTERNAL level sensors that work into the ECU and when it's in trouble it comes up on the display.

What I also know is personally 15 Auto transmission shops closed in the INNER west of Sydney of last Ten years. Was report in the MTA rag about how now 90% of automatic transmission shops Don't do rebuilds - and only Service 4 speed Ford Falcon box's and the odd Holden. They swap more Japanese gearboxes in and out for 2nd hand units. All due to the Over hi - cost of a rebuild.

You won't get that problem in the USA because well unless it changed you have a Law that requires all the the parts and information is Free and available for all cars models etc.

It's one of the funny things that differ cars from Here to the US. I know I think it's BMW don't write it in the book but you can check your levles of fluid in M5 or one of them top line 5 sereis using the mouse thing in the middle console. It's Written in the user manual in the USA. But here it's not. But apparently it's there and BMW (won't say dealer) got caught out when some owner told them it's got low something. They said it's fine and he showed them. The dealer didn't even know it was able to do it.

We get screwed here and even mazda try not carry parts for car models older then 7 years.

paulmac · 12-09-2015, 08:39 PM

Im changing my atf at the moment on both the 1993 1.6 and on the 1995 1.8 . filter and gasket kit (ryco) was $24 each from Sprint. ATF used for flushing is Gulf Dex III at also $24 for 4 litres from sprint. when Im finished flushing (drain via plug, refill, drive, repeat) Ill drop the pans on both cars and change the filters.

Im no mechanical genius. Its easy and something you should do esp if you have just bought the car and dont know its history. The BA ATF was black when drained, but didnt smell burnt. the 1993 was reddish and didnt smell burnt either. Lucky that. both boxes shift fine. fingers crossed, but flushing and a new filter will extend their lives. I buy a car, get it up scratch after not paying much for the car, and then just normal maint until its time for the trip to UPullit. I love both cars, but the idea is the thing. Car is a car, and when its worn out and unsafe, either spend big or dump it, and get another . used cars are cheap these days. Anyway, since air cooled VWs are now too old to reasonably own, what else is there to fall in love with ? At least the early Astinas were kinda like a Japanese Karmann Ghia. The BA is a great model. Its probably got a good 3 or 4 years of safe reliable life left in it. easily worthwhile slushing out the auto trans. I know this thread is old, but its worthwhile.

05-04-2013, 10:39 PM	#1
fuzzimuzzi Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Gold Coast Car: 1996 BA 323 astina 1.8l Auto Posts: 80	How to change the oil for the Torque Converter If someone could let me know how to do this to my BA 1.8 auto 96. or similar models. Is there only one way or a few. Or do you just change the gearbox oil regularly to clean it out slowly? Where is the gearbox filter? any help or advise would be great. __________________ http://astinagt.com/forums/showthrea...076#post310076 My family car work log.

06-04-2013, 06:23 AM	#3
TheMAN Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Car: . Posts: 2,623	you're wrong all the new mazdas still have dipsticks, save for the very new MX-5 and RX-8 which changed over to a Ford gearbox it is not necessary to change the filter... the bands are self adjusting and there's nothing really to adjust them changing the filter of course involves dropping the pan... easy to do only way to change the torque converter fluid is to either remove it and drain (drop the gearbox), or just flush the gearbox like everyone does __________________ Protege FAQ, the best 323/Protege/Mazda3 resource enjoyed worldwide for 10 years

06-04-2013, 07:32 PM	#5
Cosmo Dude コスモ Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location: Vic Car: Mazda '95 Astina I4, '86 B2K and '10 3 MZR-CD Posts: 7,888 View Photos By: Cosmo Dude	One of the things that many people don't understand is that when a car is serviced things like the auto trans, air con and LPG (where fitted) are not serviced and need independent attention. Call an auto trans shop and tell them that you have been advised to have your trans serviced and ask for a price and call your local parts shop and ask for the price of a service kit. Then decide if it's worth your time. Ed, if the Mx-5 and Rx-8 don't have dipsticks then Rodhog is correct when he said that 'some don't even have dipstick anymore'. __________________ My 'stina Hatch

06-04-2013, 08:05 PM	#6
TheMAN Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Car: . Posts: 2,623	just because those new mazdas don't have dipsticks doesn't mean the fluid level can't be checked, unlike other cars... it's just hard, that's all __________________ Protege FAQ, the best 323/Protege/Mazda3 resource enjoyed worldwide for 10 years Last edited by TheMAN; 06-04-2013 at 08:07 PM.

05-04-2013, 11:21 PM	#2
rodhog Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney Lakemba Car: mx-6 626 Gs300 Maz2 was 95 KF BA-HT Posts: 2,024 View Photos By: rodhog	You do a pan drop filter change IMO on that Gearbox every 20-30000km's. It Depends on temps car sees and how hard it's driven - the More winding road the more often. The more start stop the more often. Highway cars it's opposite as 90% it's locked up and modern auto by pass's the converter. The bottom pan on most - not all. Has filter at the bottom normally what's knowns a 1 micron filter (engine oil uses a 5-10 micron filter) It's normally done by a Automatic transmission specialist. They will also tighten up wha'ts known as the Band. It provides drive to a Hub. This needs ot be done normally at intervals of 40-50000km's. Post 2000 models cars most use what's known as Fill and forget auto's OR in other words buy another car when it blows up. They fill them once and forget. it's why some don't even have dipstick anymore. Can you do it yourself. On a Holden or FORD yes. On mazda it's Yes and no. Yes you can but it can depend on model. I had BA I did it on my V6 by paying someone. Normally Part of the K-frame or structure actually gets in the way making a Lift and using it a job to be done in under 4 hours. On the ground it's pain in the arse. You can also do a flush on the converter if it's really bad. Holden still do it at many dealerships. The modern Dealership is equivped to do it. They just use the Auto cooling line. Common trick for 2nd hand sales. The filter/service kit costs Vary and getting hold of one can be hard. My only other advice is Being a Mazda Jatco box- Don't abuse the car. The diff is always the weak point. if it's model I think it is was. If it's not shifitng nice and smooth and effortless has delay get it serviced. But don't abuse the box. Leave it in drive. Don't power out of corners unless wheels are straight. All mazda Gearbox's with hold system and other electronic controls. Are well desgined just not built for abuse. Take a short burst but Don't thrash it for long times. Even if you fit additional cooling. The oil breaks down quickly and then the valve body gums up. It will never shift hard or smooth again.

06-04-2013, 02:38 PM	#4
project.r.racing Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: n/a Car: n/a Posts: 10,929	if it hasn't been done in a long time. i would do a dump and refill 3 times. drive between dump and refills. whether you do it over a day, or over 3 weekends etc. the i'd do a annual dump and refill.

06-04-2013, 08:58 PM	#7
rodhog Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney Lakemba Car: mx-6 626 Gs300 Maz2 was 95 KF BA-HT Posts: 2,024 View Photos By: rodhog	Yes All understanding. But my point being They might have them. But Might not be in the USA or Europe. But in Aus because we love Big Business we give them the right to have NO FIX OPTIONS. So what they call 90% of auto's are Fill once from factory and FORGET IT. Includes Ford, GM and many other car makers here. Reason why they don't have dipsticks. I think even the Mercs now have INTERNAL level sensors that work into the ECU and when it's in trouble it comes up on the display. What I also know is personally 15 Auto transmission shops closed in the INNER west of Sydney of last Ten years. Was report in the MTA rag about how now 90% of automatic transmission shops Don't do rebuilds - and only Service 4 speed Ford Falcon box's and the odd Holden. They swap more Japanese gearboxes in and out for 2nd hand units. All due to the Over hi - cost of a rebuild. You won't get that problem in the USA because well unless it changed you have a Law that requires all the the parts and information is Free and available for all cars models etc. It's one of the funny things that differ cars from Here to the US. I know I think it's BMW don't write it in the book but you can check your levles of fluid in M5 or one of them top line 5 sereis using the mouse thing in the middle console. It's Written in the user manual in the USA. But here it's not. But apparently it's there and BMW (won't say dealer) got caught out when some owner told them it's got low something. They said it's fine and he showed them. The dealer didn't even know it was able to do it. We get screwed here and even mazda try not carry parts for car models older then 7 years.

12-09-2015, 08:39 PM	#8
paulmac Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: SA Car: Astina BJ auto Posts: 38	Im changing my atf at the moment on both the 1993 1.6 and on the 1995 1.8 . filter and gasket kit (ryco) was $24 each from Sprint. ATF used for flushing is Gulf Dex III at also $24 for 4 litres from sprint. when Im finished flushing (drain via plug, refill, drive, repeat) Ill drop the pans on both cars and change the filters. Im no mechanical genius. Its easy and something you should do esp if you have just bought the car and dont know its history. The BA ATF was black when drained, but didnt smell burnt. the 1993 was reddish and didnt smell burnt either. Lucky that. both boxes shift fine. fingers crossed, but flushing and a new filter will extend their lives. I buy a car, get it up scratch after not paying much for the car, and then just normal maint until its time for the trip to UPullit. I love both cars, but the idea is the thing. Car is a car, and when its worn out and unsafe, either spend big or dump it, and get another . used cars are cheap these days. Anyway, since air cooled VWs are now too old to reasonably own, what else is there to fall in love with ? At least the early Astinas were kinda like a Japanese Karmann Ghia. The BA is a great model. Its probably got a good 3 or 4 years of safe reliable life left in it. easily worthwhile slushing out the auto trans. I know this thread is old, but its worthwhile.