This is a relatively simple issue to fix, but it can be quite frustrating when you park at a friend’s house and leave oil stains on their driveway.
It’s an embarrassing situation, and it’s important to address it quickly—otherwise, your friend might not want to invite you back. Fortunately, this fix can be completed in about 30 minutes using basic tools.
Tools:
- 14 mm wrench
- 10 mm socket
- Razor blade
- De-greaser
Parts:
- 2.5 quarts of transmission oil
- Transmission oil pan gasket
Procedure:
The best approach is to lift the car from the rear driver’s side, ensuring the front tires are secured with tire chocks. Once the car is lifted, place a jack stand under it for added safety.
To loosen both the drain and filler plugs, it’s easiest to access them from the center of the car. Begin by using a 14 mm wrench to loosen the drain plug counter-clockwise and allow the transmission oil to drain. Once the plug is loosened and the oil has drained, let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Next, loosen the filler plug first to allow ventilation while the oil drains. In the first picture below, you can see the filler plug, while the last two images show the drain plug with an Allen wrench (right picture below).
Use a 10 mm socket to remove the screws securing the transmission oil pan. A helpful tip: Keep two screws on either side of the pan to prevent it from falling off prematurely (left picture below).
Once the screws are loosened, the oil pan may not come off easily. Gently tap the side of the pan with a small hammer or mallet to break loose the old grease.
When the pan is removed, it is likely to be torn, making it a good opportunity to replace the gasket as well. As you remove the transmission oil pan, part of the dipstick shaft will come out with it. Simply give it a slight pull to remove it.
Now, use a razor blade to scrape off the old or torn gasket. Be sure to clean all the leftover gasket material from both the transmission body and the oil pan. After removing all the debris, spray some de-greaser to clean both the pan and the body.
Once the pan is cleaned and ready for reinstallation, it’s best to reconnect the dipstick shaft first, and then reinstall the 10 mm screws. Tighten the pan securely, then screw the drain plug back in.
After verifying that the transmission oil pan is properly installed, it’s time to fill the transmission with oil.
From my personal experience, 2.5 quarts should be sufficient, but it’s a good idea to double-check with the dipstick. Run the engine for a while, then check the oil level while the engine is running to ensure everything is in order.