Let me start out by saying that this was my first venture into automechanics beyond changing my oil. I was just about to finish changing my clutch release bearing. Got everything back in place. So I go to fill up my transmission with fluid and take her for a spin and not only do I find a square bolt, but a rusty one.

That was yesterday morning and I still can't get her to budge. I've used WD-40, Liquid Wrench, a butane torch, a hammer, and an assortment of wrenchs and vise-grips. I'm about to try Naval Jelly, but I doubt it will work. So, what does one do here? The bolt is slowly getting trashed from ill-fitting wrenchs and I need to put fluid in my car. Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks in advance,

Conway

 

If this is a manual transmission (which I'm familiar with), there are two bolts that are used to 1) drain, and 2) fill the transmission oil.

The upper bolt is the fill bolt, and should be removed first, for several reasons. Removal of this bolt first ensures that you'll be able to put new fluid in BEFORE you drain the old fluid, and also allows air in to speed the draining process. Once you remove the lower bolt, it will drain the transmission fluid.

If the bottom drain is the one that you can't get out, then try removing the upper bolt. If this one can be removed, you can get a vacuum pump with silicone lines to run down into the transmission to pump the fluid out. You'll then need to pump new fluid in, and this is done by placing the car on a level surface and adding fluid to the 'inlet' hole until it runs out.

Note: car must be level, or you'll have too much in there. HTH,

 

You can also fill the transmission by taking the shifter out and filling it through that hole.

 

I had the same problem with the fill plug. I ended up using a vise-grip tightened on the plug and used a hollow rod on the vise-grip as leverage. I finally got it out. Goodluck

 

I think I'm going to try Wankelguy's idea next, since Naval Jelly did little. The Haynes manual says 1.8 quarts, so I'm gonna try that. I don't see why that wouldn't work. Thank a lot.

 

I have also seen people weld a wrench onto the lug!

 

If pouring fluid in through the shifter hole is going to work, it is going to work slowly as it doesn't seem to be going in at all. Hmm, I'll give it time, since I have to go to work anyway.

Conway

 

Uhhh..what happens when you've got too much fluid? I just did mine while front was on ramps, took 2 quarts.
Should I drain some, or is it ok?

 

as I understand it the fluid is supposed to go to the bottom of the threads on the filler plug, this is with the car being flat and level or course.

 

I feel I must post some clarification on filling the tranny through the shifter hole: This may not work with the '81 and above trannys, all my experience is with the earlier trannys that do NOT have the remote-mounted shifter.
Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
Guess my "old school" roots are showing again. -WG