Thread: Trans fluid change question

So I want to change the trans fluid in the '03 Impala. I used to have a Caddy with a 4T80e. In that trans there was a plug inside the pan that needed to be removed to drain the side cover.
1) Does the 4T65 have the drain plug like the 4T80e?
2) Doing a pan drop, and the drain plug if applicable, how many quarts of fluid does it take to refill?
3) Is the pan gasket reusable?
thanks

Don

Hey Dadillac. You are in luck, I just did this fluid change again today, so it's still fresh in my head.

1. No, there is no drain plug on the factory pan. You can reduce the mess, however, by removing the 7 or so bolts closest to the rear of the car, then slowly loosening all the other bolts. It will make all of the fluid run out the same side, making it easier to catch the fluid. There are some people on the forum who pump some of the fluid out through the dipstick as well.

2. It should take 7.5 qts of fluid. I recommend using Dexron VI, which you can get at Wal-Mart for about $4.50 a qt.

3. Yes, the factory pan gasket is reusable, if it is still in good shape. You are probably doing the trans filter at the same time, which should come with a gasket you can use if your factory gasket is busted or something.

I also found that to zip the 20 or so bolts on with a drill saves your arms from being above you then tighten them with a socket.

Sent from the Milky Way

Originally Posted by GTP131

Hey Dadillac. You are in luck, I just did this fluid change again today, so it's still fresh in my head.

1. No, there is no drain plug on the factory pan. You can reduce the mess, however, by removing the 7 or so bolts closest to the rear of the car, then slowly loosening all the other bolts. It will make all of the fluid run out the same side, making it easier to catch the fluid. There are some people on the forum who pump some of the fluid out through the dipstick as well.

2. It should take 7.5 qts of fluid. I recommend using Dexron VI, which you can get at Wal-Mart for about $4.50 a qt.

3. Yes, the factory pan gasket is reusable, if it is still in good shape. You are probably doing the trans filter at the same time, which should come with a gasket you can use if your factory gasket is busted or something.

I wasn't asking if the pan had a drain bolt. On the 4T80e, once the pan is dropped, there is a drain plug inside the trans that needs to be removed. The 4T80e is a dry sump set up. All of the fluid, with the exception of a quart or two, is held in the side cover. My question was directed to a similar plug. But tour answer pretty much tells me that the 4t65 holds its fluid in the pan. Thanks for the reply it is very helpful

Don

There is no plug inside for the side cover, this is an everything runs to the pan setup.

Dorman makes a nice steel pan with a plug. Saw one recently and it's a nice setup.