auto gearbox, do i need to drain the transmission fluid????

[rxtoy]

as above, swapping the engine in my g/f's EE90 corolla. i've never taken an auto gearbox off before

took the replacement engine off a manual box today, easy as but as i understand it the spline from the engine goes onto a paddle type thing for an auto and this is surrounded by transmission fluid to transfer torque through the gearbox (through another paddle directly connected to the gearbox) to the cv's.

will all the fluid drain out when i remove the engine?? or can i just leave it?

cheers
Matt

[Lloyd]

Probably best to drain it, wont make such a mess when you're lifting the gearbox out more than anything.

With an auto you'll have to undo the torque converter bolts before removing the gearbox. Should be some way of getting at them, sometimes have to go through the starter motor hole. Usually somewhere else to get at them though. Turn the engine over until you can get at one, then turn it over until you can see the next one and remove it etc etc. Usually either 4, 6 or 8 of them but you'll work that out as you go. Should pull of nicely then, try to keep it square coming out so you dont damage things.

[rxtoy]

ass, i was just going to leave the box in the engine bay, doesn't sound like i'll get away with that. hmmmm...........

took it out that way (manual box though), there's heaps of room in the engine bay with a 2E engine.

so do i need to take this torque converter off??? what's it bolted to??? i know auto's don't have flywheels, do they have something similar that the torque converter bolts too???

cheers
Matt

[rxtoy]

ok, i've been having a quick talk with a mate who knows more than me, not much more than me though.

torque converter IS the bit that contains the two sets of blades, both input from the engine and output to the gearbox.

is this bolted to the engine??? or the gearbox???? or neither and just floats in the middle???

frantically hunting the interweb thingy for some pics but not having too much luck.

cheers
Matt

[CozmoNz]

Flexi Plate?

FLEX PLATE: - Inspect for cracks where plate bolts to engine and out of round holes where converter bolts to flex plate. Check for warpage. If flex plate has a ring gear, inspect teeth for excessive wear or missing teeth.

[rxtoy]

that doesn't mean too much to me

cheers
Matt

[CozmoNz]

frantically hunting the interweb thingy for some pics but not having too much luck.

Search for "Flex Plate, Automatic Transmission"

Ill find u a diagram if i can....

[Lloyd]

The engine has a flexiplate where you would expect to find the flywheel. Its thin as and you just leave it bolted to the engine when you remove it. You'll probably get the engine out and leave the gearbox in there no trouble. The torque converter will stay on the gearbox and only be held to the flexi plate by those few bolts I mentioned above. Get those bolts off and the ones around the gearbox and you should be ready to pull the engine out.

[rxtoy]

sweet, that sounds like what i needed to know. is an auto as hard to line up as a manual?? should be easier because the torqueconverter will already be centred?? or is that just an issue with manual boxes??

cheers guys
Matt

[Lloyd]

Yeah, usually pretty easy with the autos. Make sure you leave the torque converter on the gearbox. Take the flexiplate off the engine and put it on your replacement

[rxtoy]

cool, is there anything holding it in place?? or is it just friction on the spline?

cheers
Matt

[Lloyd]

Pretty much just sits in its hole, shouldn't fall out really. The only thing holding it to the engine side of things is the bolts to the flexiplate.

[rxtoy]

sweet, i should be able to work anything else out. stupid g/f's that can't drive manuals!!! ah well, at least i'll learn something.

thanks for the help
Matt