8hp70 fluid change questions

[EdGs]

Hello again,

2015 Ram 1500 SLT QC 5.7L 2wd. 107K mi.
Got it with 28.6k mi. No towing by me, truck doesnt even have a hitch on it. Hardly any hauling in bed either.

I'm getting ready to do my transmission pan and fluid change. I have been all over the internet and down the youtube rabbit hole and came across this:

On the ZF instructions flow chart for the 8 HP it says, "fill until fluid runs out the filler hole. Start the engine. Continue filling till fluid runs out the filler hole.

Then it asks: Is transmission cooler present? If yes, add 0.5l of fluid.

Do they mean an external cooler? Of course it runs through a portion of the condenser coil.

To me, if fluid is already running out the hole, .5l more isnt going to happen unless the vehicle is tipped slightly.

Comments?

Thanks.

 

[misfit77]

All my life ive doing drain and fills using a pump and paint buckets. Most cars done in 15 minutes, but not Ram.echh!

I searched and searched and only found one video. The man says the same thing as i do..."put back what you took out".

Of course i only got 3.5 quarts the first time and weeks later got 4 quarts out.

It also can be messy, but its better than the fill process designed by ZF.

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[EdGs]

Put back what you take out. My thoughts exactly. Thats what I am hoping for.

I even saw some videos of older chevys and such where they broke the return line to the trans. Started the vehicle, and pumped out a measure of fluid, changed the filter, added fluid, and repeated until the fluid pumped out was clean.

 

[misfit77]

I did that once on my jeep, but it was way convenient. Stupid ram and its maintenance.

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[Burla]

Put back what you take out. My thoughts exactly. Thats what I am hoping for.

I even saw some videos of older chevys and such where they broke the return line to the trans. Started the vehicle, and pumped out a measure of fluid, changed the filter, added fluid, and repeated until the fluid pumped out was clean.

That assumes the level was right in the first place from factory. Gotta follow the instructions on the ZF, wildone has it on a sheet, motor city mechanic has a 2 part video online. There aren't many ways to skin this cat, do it right.

 

[misfit77]

Lets say after 100k...i had the right amount of fluid.

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[EdGs]

That assumes the level was right in the first place from factory. Gotta follow the instructions on the ZF, wildone has it on a sheet, motor city mechanic has a 2 part video online. There aren't many ways to skin this cat, do it right.

Planned on doing it as instructions say. Dont want to make a $$$$ mistake, for sure.

 

[PoMansRam]

Lets say after 100k...i had the right amount of fluid.

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Pretty sure you do at this point. LOL. That's how I've rolled for years on transmissions with no dipstick.

There are a bunch of youtube videos on 8HP70 pan and fluid replacements.

You do need a garden sprayer or pressurized automotive fluid pump to get ATF back in through the fill/level check plug. You do need to have the engine idling to get the last 2 quarts or so in through the fill hole. If by chance you pulled the fill/level check plug with the engine off, ATF is going to gush out. Gotta be idling and at something like 86-104F fluid temp for final level check. I've heard some folks suggest wrapping wet towels around the nearby exhaust piping so you don't burn your arms/hands.

Valvoline Maxlife ATF is suitable for ZF8 use and aftermarket pan kits can be mail ordered for as little as $30. You can spend $500 on doing this job with OEM parts or ~$60 for aftermarket.

 

[EdGs]

I actually was going to bite the bullet (and throw away the money) and have my stealership do the job. I called them twice, and never got a callback.

I am capable to do the job, but was nervous, just because. The customer service (or lack of) at the stealership strengthened my resolve to do it myself.

Additionally, I have a very capable wife who can start the truck and cycle the gears, etc. to save me having to get up and down.

Plus, I can buy a few more tools.......maybe. LOL

 

[misfit77]

I bought this probably 10 years ago for my miata. You might be able ro use the parts for the ram oil filter relocation.

Its pretty cool, a banjo fitting goes on the oil pan. You never have to crawl under to drain. Just pump it out.

Miata is gone but i still have the pump. It sucks 4 quarts under a minute. Better yet it pumps just as fast. The exhaust does not get scorching hot while you fill.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spectre-Pe...-/203058445320?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

 

[Burla]

This dyi sucks, but I trust myself more then some dude at the dealer, it is also complicated for them. The instructions are simple if you do it step by step, it is just a hard pill to swallow you guys have to do all this **** just to check the fluid level when rfe guys can simply use a dip stick.

 

[EdGs]

Agreed. Another plus is I have access to a lift. I have had it on the lift before, but want to make sure it sits level when i get set up to do.

I will see just how much I get out, and compare to what it takes.

 

[Wild one]

Agreed. Another plus is I have access to a lift. I have had it on the lift before, but want to make sure it sits level when i get set up to do.

I will see just how much I get out, and compare to what it takes.

Truck won't be anywhere near level if you do the procedure right ,you need the actual transmission pan rail level,which entails lifting the rear of the truck up in the air a fair bit. Here's the instructions that come with a "brand new" 8 speed transmission (bought from the dealer,not a rebuilt transmission),i'm guessing they are correct and they are very specific about leveling the tranny,not the truck.Most video's you find on servicing the 8 speed are video's of the tranny in a car,not a truck,in most cases the transmission in a car application sits very close to level,while in our trucks the tranny definitely has a downhill slant. The tip about draping wet towels over the exhaust is a good tip,as the fill plug is right in line with the pass side exhaust.Start with a cold transmission to do the service,as by the time you get through the procedure the transmission will be getting close to the 122F max checking temp.

 

[EdGs]

Sorry. I did mean the level of the transmission.

Wouldn't make much sense not to.

The zf instruction flow chart says, fill until fluid runs out, start vehicle, add fluid until it runs out.

Then it says, Is transmission cooler present? If yes, add 0.5L.

But, if fluid already is running out, how would you be able to add any? The only way I know would be to tilt the vehicle up on the fill side.

 

[Wild one]

Sorry. I did mean the level of the transmission.

Wouldn't make much sense not to.

The zf instruction flow chart says, fill until fluid runs out, start vehicle, add fluid until it runs out.

Then it says, Is transmission cooler present? If yes, add 0.5L.

But, if fluid already is running out, how would you be able to add any? The only way I know would be to tilt the vehicle up on the fill side.

I think that's the idea of why you run it up till it shifts into 2nd gear,as that would make sure fluid has circulated through the system. The instructions i posted are the instructions specific to a truck,as the transmission was ordered using my trucks vin number.The ZF instructions you're probably looking at, i'm guessing are their generic instructions,meant to cover a variety of applications,as the ZF is in everything from a Rolls Royce to our Ram trucks

 

[EdGs]

@Wild one,

Thank you for posting that image of the instructions.

Regarding the transmission being level, I think only a couple of the vids I watched even mentioned it.

Hopefully, when I do mine, things will go smoothly, and the amount of fluid taken out will be close to what goes back in.

I will most likely order 7 qts fluid, as it seems most that change pan and fluid use about 5.

Any tips in getting the last couple quarts out, or should I just do the next change earlier?

And also, many thanks to all who commented.

 

[Wild one]

@Wild one,

Thank you for posting that image of the instructions.

Regarding the transmission being level, I think only a couple of the vids I watched even mentioned it.

Hopefully, when I do mine, things will go smoothly, and the amount of fluid taken out will be close to what goes back in.

I will most likely order 7 qts fluid, as it seems most that change pan and filter use about 5.

Any tips in getting the last couple quarts out, or should I just do the next change earlier?

And also, many thanks to all who commented.

Start with a cold transmission that's sat overnight.That'll probably give you the best drain,as the fluid will have all drained back to the pan by then. You should be good with buying 7 quarts,as my 8 speed takes roughly 8 quarts plus or minus a bit,with the deeper PPE pan.A cheap little 1 gallon garden sprayer works pretty good for putting the fluid back in.I didn't go as overboard as this guy with a mini ball valve,i just reused the valve that already was on the garden sprayer i had,but he gives you a good idea of how to turn a garden sprayer into a fliud dispenser

How To : Make a Pressurized Fluid Dispenser - Bing video

 

[EdGs]

Definately will be going the modded sprayer route.

I personally like the idea of using the hand valve on the sprayer. It's not like i have to hold it on for a 1/2 hour.

Will definately pay attention to how much drains out. I dont want to rush things, just make sure I get it right. This is my daily driver and I havent had issues shifting (except the annoying bump every once in a while).

I love my Ram and want to keep it as long as I can.

 

[misfit77]

I scoured amazon and ebay looking for a pump like mine. No luck.

There are many listings for a cheap one but the exit hose is too big. I was barely able to squeeze a 3/8 OD hose into the tranny pan.


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[EdGs]

I would maybe use the hard tube of the wand too, take the nozzle off, maybe heat and bend a section neat the end at a right angle. Or go with 1/4 od tube.

Will be easier when the sprayer is in front of me.