Auto Service Questions

[No Crust Racing]

OK the car is a 2008 GH Series Mada6 but the principals should be the same.

I've got the kit, the fluid etc, but I just want to know if it's considered safe to remove the drain plug, let fluid drain out (after warming it up) and then start the car and let the box pump out the remaining fluid.

My question being, is there any chance of damage or airlocks etc by doing this?

Or is it better to just drop the drain plug, let it drain, drop the pan, replace the filter and whatever fluid comes out and nothing more then drain it again in say 1000k's and put in more new fluid?

I do my own mechanical work so I'm comfortable with the process just can't find anything concrete on this particular car. My Falcons wee fine to just idle and pump out the old fluid.

I'm assuming that if I drop a cooling line and let it pump out additional fluid (without having a proper flusher connected that's feeding in new fluid) that I run the risk of airlocks or damage?

Edited April 28, 2013 by ActionDan

[zoomzoom]

A more regular partial drain and fill would be the easiest option.

[No Crust Racing]

I'm done, here's what I did.

Warmed it up, pulled the drain plug and let it drain, about 3L came out (I emptied the oil pan into a container with measurements so I knew how much was coming out).

Put 3 fresh litres in and warmed it again and shifted through all the gears and various speeds (car up on stands completely so wheels free to move), dipstick level was good, but fluid still average looking/smelling.

Dropped the drain plug again and let it drain, then dropped the pan and replaced the filter, about 4 or so litres came out this way - though keeping in mind some of that was new fluid.

Cleaned up the gasket surfaces and re-assembled it all. Noted that the bolts had thread sealant on them so used some medium Loctite (pretty easy to remove).

Refilled it, warmed it, shifted through all the gears then check the levels and looked for leaks, all good.

Took it for a good drive, came back, checked level and for leaks again, all good. Put undertray back on and cleaned up.

Fluid is now a much nicer red and smells better. Trans didn't seem to behave any different, which is good I'd say.