fluids?

[digglesworth]

Well... Next on my list is gonna be fluid changes.... Both diffs, t case first.... Can anyone point me in the right direction...? I know this has come up before..... Capacities, types and all that stuff.... I never find the right info in the search tab so it's easier for me to ask....
Diffs---- do I fill up to the fill hole? Gonna use mobile 1 75-90w...
T case-- I have the t case that needs extra fluid through the sensor hole... Gonna use Mobil 1 atf(Dex 3 I think)
Transmission is gonna be the biggest pain I think.... I've heard lots of different says to do it...
I wanna do brakes and power steering too so if anyone's got any info on that it'd be appreciated....
And cooling system too......
Basically any and all discussion on any of the fluids in the vehicle... (Except blinker fluid... They changed that at the dealership... Lol)
I bought a hand pump at auttozone to assist me in filling things....

 

[Xlr8n]

Well... Next on my list is gonna be fluid changes.... Both diffs, t case first.... Can anyone point me in the right direction...? I know this has come up before..... Capacities, types and all that stuff.... I never find the right info in the search tab so it's easier for me to ask....
Diffs---- do I fill up to the fill hole? Gonna use mobile 1 75-90w...
T case-- I have the t case that needs extra fluid through the sensor hole... Gonna use Mobil 1 atf(Dex 3 I think)
Transmission is gonna be the biggest pain I think.... I've heard lots of different says to do it...
I wanna do brakes and power steering too so if anyone's got any info on that it'd be appreciated....
And cooling system too......
Basically any and all discussion on any of the fluids in the vehicle... (Except blinker fluid... They changed that at the dealership... Lol)
I bought a hand pump at auttozone to assist me in filling things....

They've all been outlined a bazillion times, but you seem like a nice guy and I just changed a few of my own, so heres a couple tips:

TCase- To avoid yet another arguement on this subject, I'd use what your manual recommends. If it says Dextron III, then use GM Manual Transmission/ Transfer case fluid part # 88861800. 10 bucks a quart at your local chevy dealer. Highway robbery, but the right stuff.

You'll need to add 1.6 quarts, but on an '06 they put the fill hole to low in the housing, so it'll start coming out of the fill hole before you get it all in so you need to either A) fill a measured 1.6 qts. through the speed sensor hole instead, or B) fill through the fill hole until it comes out, put the plug in, then add 250 ml to the speed sensor hole. Don't overtighten the speed sensor or you'll break it. You can get the fluid in with a flexible funnel you are extremely careful, but a fluid pump makes it much easier. I just changed mine Monday night using a modified funnel.

Diffs- about 2 bottles in the front and 3 in the rear. Use a quality 75w90 synthetic. Fill till it comes out the fill hole on both. Diff fluid stinks to high heaven so wear rubber gloves and don't spill it all over the garage floor! lol.

Tranny- Either use the: drain the pan, replace the filter, and then pump it out the cooling line 2 quarts at a time until it comes out clean method, or: pay about 150 bucks to have it flushed professionally. Both work well. DIY and you know its done completely.

Coolant- Dexcool is the devil. Change it every two years like the green stuff or risk it turning into jello and cloggin up the whole works with brown snot. It's relatively cheap and easy and is simply not worth the risk of running it long term imho. Dexcool needs burped properly as it is the trapped air that contributes to early failure. If you do it yourself, make sure you know how to get all the air out of the system. Google for lengthy details on the subject.

Good luck!

 

[digglesworth]

my t case has a handy reminder tag on the case about the extra fluid.... how nice of them..... The 06 manual states "Dex III ATF type H".... I got a hand pump but I haven't used it yet... I dunno if I put 1.6q in a bottle, if it will pump the bottle dry and pump everything outta the pump hose.... we shall see.....

 

[Xlr8n]

If you end up with a little bit in the bottle and pump that it won't pump out, add about that amount more to the bottle and pump it again til it quits. I'd rather have a smidge too much than not quite enough. It's a splash-lube set-up so you don't want it too low. You could pump it into the fill hole til it comes out and then add 250ml by hand small amounts at a time through the sensor hole.

When I was doing mine the other night I was thinking someone should produce a disposable zip-loc bag with a built-in funnel that you could add the whole 1.6 quarts to and then put the funnel in place, lift the bag up high, and squeeze it all in. You wouldn't was more than a couple ml's. I may make just such a thing next time I do mine with a freezer bag and a cheap flexible funnel and some waterproof duct tape. It would only need to hold together for less than a minute! lol

 

[rascole]

Well...I wanna do brakes and power steering too so if anyone's got any info on that it'd be appreciated....

I just recently changed my brake and power steering fluids. I use a 1 ounce syringe with a small piece of 1/4" tube on the end to suck out the fluids, baffles prevent you from just sticking the whole syringe in the reservoir You will get @ 12-16 oz out. I do this about every 20-25 thousand miles. Cheap insurance, you will be surprised the junk that you will get out.

 

[digglesworth]

Thanks everyone... I got my t case and both diffs done tonight.... Man that stuff was dirty.... I wouldn't be surprised if it has never been changed before.... I'll probably look into having the transmission flushed by a qualified technician..... I'll be researching the other systems on the mean time....

 

[alrock]

I'm a fan of the trans flush, though of course some prefer the drain and fill. I've had both done on my H3. If you choose to do a drain and fill be sure to get a new filter and gasket. The filter could be fine but it's such an easy change you might as well replace it. My gasket was hard as a rock and broke into pieces when I dropped the pan. I was thankful to have a new gasket on hand.

 

[Zach]

Not a fan of flushing the trans especially with higher mileage that has never been flushed. I've seen a few higher mileage trannys go south after a flush. Take it for what it is, but GM's point of view is not flushing the trans. The chemicals are harsh and may cause premature wear. Although every just about every dealer out there will try and sell you one. Almost 170k on my trans technically one overhaul, a defective sprag some maybe two and have just done filter and fluid change

 

[08H3]

Manual will have all capacities and specs.

Link --> http://www.gm.ca/media/owners/manuals/2006_Hummer_H3_Manual_en_CA.pdf

 

[digglesworth]

I've got 72k on my 06 and can't be certain what, if anything, has been flushed.... Is there some kind of cleaner I can run through the coolant system before I flush it in case it has never been done before? Firestone said they'd flush my brakes for $79.... I'm always skeptical about having work done at shops though..... And is there a way to bleed the power steering system? I've never messed with that before......

 

[digglesworth]

Been researching how to get all the air out of my coolant system.... What I've seen is a special funnel that screws on in place of the radiator cap.... It's $40... Is it needed or has anyone done it a different way?

 

[Xlr8n]

For the power steering, I'd siphon a bit out and put it on a white plate or bowl and look to see how it looks. If it's not contaminated, I'd use the method given above and siphon out the pump housing by hand and refill it and call it good. Maybe do it again at the next oil change.

For the coolant, I used to always use the cheapy Prestone fill-n-flush kits that came with the plastic T fitting that you put in the heater hose. (I never left the 'T' in place permanently like they intended though)
Drain. Flush the remaining traces of old antifreeve with clean water with the kit, add the flushing solution. Run for however long they stated, Flush it again until clear, then add the correct amount of antifreeze through the radiator fill while the water is displaced out the T-fitting. No air left behind. You can still get them off ebay for about 5 bucks.

With a helper you can flush the brake system using the bleeders at each wheel for a bit less than 80 bucks. Just like bleeding. Start with the furthest wheel and pump out the line while someone adds to the reservoir until it comes out clean. go to the next wheel, etc. Crucial not to let the reservoir run dry! Even more cruical not to spill brake fluid on the paint!! lol.

 

[digglesworth]

Coolant- did you have to get some extra hose for the T fittings?

Brakes- sounds like a good job to get the girlfriend out to help with... Lol

 

[Xlr8n]

If you install it into the line as instructed, then no. I haven't used one on the H3, so Im not sure how accessable the hoses are as far as removing it. It would likely be hard to remove it without letting air back into the lines though so it may no be a viable option on the H3 unless you leave the T in place for future use.

 

[digglesworth]

That's what is steering me away from that kit.... It says to cut the hose and permanently install the fitting.... Im cool on all that.... Any issue with running a synthetic brake fluid???

 

[rascole]

IMO power steering and brake fluids are in low stress applications, unlike engine oil. Regular replacement is more than sufficient. In similar applications here at work, that is all we do.

 

[08H3]

I don't understand what the concern is with the T in the Prestone kits. I love the kit. Works great, and you can get them at Walmart for $3.50. No need to pay $5 and wait on E-Bay.

 

[Xlr8n]

Found a nifty on-off funnel spout at Wallyworld for 4 bucks that screws onto a tranny or gearlube bottle.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/FloTool-Transmission-Fluid-Spout/16889149

Lift the bottle up under the chassis, put the hose in the case or diff fill hole, and then open the funnel lock. Always help to warm up gear lube in a buck of hot water for a few minutes before you open it. The lube flows much better when warm.

 

[digglesworth]

That's basically what I did to fill the front diff.... I stuck a piece of tubing on the spout of the Mobil 1 bottle....

 

[Xlr8n]

Thats what I always do as well. Where this will come in handy is the shut off valve to get the bottle and tube in place over the crossmember at the TC fill.

 

[digglesworth]

The hand pump I picked up from AutoZone worked pretty good. I saw a smaller version at Walmart that might be good too... Anything that gets in those tight spaces is better than nothing.....

 

[Xlr8n]

After trying out the nozzle contraption today, I'll have to say the $10 hand pump that screws right onto the bottle is the way to go.

 

[digglesworth]

Glad I'm on to the less complicated fluids now... Lol. Used a big syringe to suck out the power steering reservoir and added new fluid. Let it run for a few minutes and did another fluid exchange. I'll let it go like that for a few days and do it again.... Commisioned the gf to help with the brakes tomorrow. Coolant next week.