re: diff fluid drain & fill

[C1J1Miller@aol.com]

Subject: Diff. fluid

Ian Duff writes:
>> I can only get 2 of the 3 quarts both Bentley and the <gasp, he
>> actually *reads* these things?> owner's manual specify when my CQ is
>> level.

Phil Payne responds:
> Then that's it.  Overfill it, and the excess will get shoved out of the
> seals.  In extreme cases, it can pop a seal.

Eric Renneisen further adds:

<<<Uh-oh.  I drained/refilled mine with the front on stands.  All 3 quarts
went in.  In
fact, I was thinking of putting more in because it didn't quite fill up to
the fill plug
opening.  Luckily, I only bought 3 quarts.  Anyway, I've had no problems yet
(did
it several thousand miles ago).  Any particular seals I should be keeping my
eye
on?  Is it possible that all of the fluid won't drain out unless it's tilted?
 I can't imagine
that the small angle mine was tilted would allow _50%_ more fluid in than
Ian's.>>>

On my (former) '86 4000csq, the bottom of the tranny was not flat between the
center diff and the fill.  There are two drain plugs, one in front for the
main tranny, one in back for the diff.  I also found that putting the front
on a lift was best to drain and fill.  There appears to be a partial
obstruction between the front section and rear section; I drained both
sections, then replaced the front drain plug and added fluid until it started
to come out through the rear drain plug (kind of a miny flush of the rear
section).  I put in the rear plug, filled the tranny up with the proper
amount, then replaced the fill plug in the front.  Finally, I put the car
down off the ramps, and took out the fill plug again.  A small amount of
fluid drained at this point.  Seems that this way you're sure you've added
enough (book says to add until up to fill plug), and also are sure you don't
have too much.  If you are nervous, repeat this after driving around a bit to
allow fluid levels to equalize in the front and rear sections.

Seem reasonable?
Chris Miller, Windham, NH, c1j1miller@aol.com, '91 200q sedan
going to be changing the tranny fluid this weekend, I think...Redline
synthetic.