cbptl08

having a big problem with my 08 Tl-S. i bought some ac delco syncromesh to fix my 3rd gear problem, and I used a 3/8" ratchet with an extension and the plug is on there STUPID tight... it seems like the previous owner must have impacted this thing on.. i had all of my weight with a piece of pipe on the ratchet trying to break it loose and I ended up stripping it... great. what have you guys done to fix this? can't really use an extractor because I don't want to drill it and have the pieces and shavings fall into the tranny. luckily I didnt drain the fluid yet so I can still drive the car but I do want to fix this. have tried several different extensions and none work. the plug is just too stripped..
thanks

kingkong_dav

use something like a wheel lock remover.it come in 17mm-19mm and 21mm-22mm, you need to hammer it on with a long 1/2 inch extension and then use the air gun.

l0stnyc

Did the extension break off in the plug or is the head completely stripped? If it is completely stripped out you can also try to heat up the bolt and use screw extractor. Get another fill plug first so that you can compare the depth. You are going to need one anyway.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Don't know the opening size of the check plug, but that can be removed and fluid added through that hole.

As far as the filler plug removal, never encountered this problem, but some have had another "head"or nut welded onto the plug as an EZ out or the like just won't hold under the pressure needed to budge the filler plug. Might want to clean up the opening with a dremel and place pieces of strong metal in the square drive to make a good fit for the 3/8" drive, Might even want to use some JB weld once you get the dimensions correct, just to hold the metal pieces in place, let harden then try the breaker bar. Don't know the accessibility of the plug, but I'd certainly try to use the breaker bar and no extension if possible.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Stripped or rounded off?

I just did this on Sunday.
I changed my tranny fluid to GM syncromesh.

the fill plug was harder than the drain plug.

I had removed the battery and air filter system to gain access.

cbptl08

edges of it are rounded off, and the extension has nothing to grab onto.. a bit stuck here. i dont want to drill into it and risk pieces of metal going into the transmission. it baffles me as to why this plug was on there tighter than an axle nut

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^I would then just fill it through the check hole like turbonut explained

BE CAREFUL!
the CHECKBOLT is torqued at 8lbs.
it doesnt take much to tighten it back up

kingkong_dav

get this. i know you want to get the plug out. find it in a 17mm http://www.tooltopia.com/lock-technology-4300.aspx

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^except the plug isnt a bolt.
its a 3/8 square indention.

which means only a 3/8 ratchet with can take it off.
if he wants to get it off or replace it, he'll have to do what turbo nut explained with the jb weld.

if it were me, after messing up the fill bolt, I'd leave it alone and just fill through the check bolt.

cbptl08

yes, its not a bolt.. its a plug and there is nothing to grab onto. I thought about filling it through the check hole, but I heard that the bolt is a 10mm, but the opening is 6 mm and it would take days to fill it through that..

kingkong_dav

i get it now. use a hex head socket and hammer it in there. you have to use a airgun. get the hex to get stuck in there as possible

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^does not compute.

hex = 6 sides
square = 4 sides.

kingkong_dav

he said it is rounded out

l0stnyc

Same thing happened to a friend and the jb weld wasnt strong enough to hold. Ended up having a shop weld a nut onto it and then take it off.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

yeah, but I dont think you know what the fill plug looks like, hence why your answers are off, kingkong_dav

I know what it looks like because I just did this on Sunday.
seems like the only answer is to weld a nut onto it, like the above commenter said

kingkong_dav

maybe your best luck is to use a extractor but i know its tourqe down tight. ^ his way is good

cbptl08

might have to go with the welding the nut route.. i dont want to use an extractor because i dont want to get any shavings in the transmission. Question, has anyone filled one of these trannys through the check hole instead? i might go try that, but I don't wanna drain the fluid and then be stuck and not able to drive the car if I cannot fill it through there.

kingkong_dav

to be honest there is no rush to do a gear oil exchange. it last forever under normal driving conditions..

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^he's having 3rd gear trouble.
this means that the fluid has worn out.....
or is not providing the correct amount of lubrication, or doesnt have the correct amount of friction modifiers.

this is the only reason why we change it to the GM stuff in the first place, kingkong_dav

cbptl08

another option is to try and have an extension welded in the plug and try to break it loose that way

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

+1 on welding a short extension to it,
or try hammering on a torx if you can get in there enough,
having it cut into the walls of the sqare,maybe you can get some grip.

cbptl08

good idea.. also, can anyone chime in as to wheither you can fill the transmission through the check hole and how difficult this may be?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^when I did mine on sunday.
I drained more fluid than i put in. which left me

the manual states 2.3 quarts.
I drained more than 3 quarts. almost 5.

SINCE, I know that it calls for 2.3 quarts, I think I'm okay.
shifting is fine.

THis weekend, I'll take off the check bolt to see if I'm spot on.
I'll also tell you if its an easy job putting fluid through that bolt.

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

1)I have to ask why you would want to go that route? Trying to avoid removing the intake?

With that in mind, I say anything is possible,but you'll probably regret going that route after you spill fluid and get a cramp from holding the hose,funnel or whatever you're gonna use to squeeze in there.
Nonetheless,it needs 2.3 quarts(2.2liters).

Motivation: the older honda transmissions had to be filled from the check plug. So hey,why not do it on the newer ones!
Good luck!

l0stnyc

If you are going to fill through the check plug you have to pump it in as I don't think a funnel would work well. Also don't over torque the check plug.

powerflow

That's what I would try first, soak the plug w/ PB Blaster for 24hrs then hammering in a torx bit socket.

When breaking these 3/8" drive plugs loose, its best to tap the tool into the plug, to make sure it is fully seated within, before twisting. I remember mine was on tight as hell, and I used a swivel impact adapter at the plug, w/ an extension & breaker bar. Before attaching the breaker bar, I made sure I tapped the the 3/8" drive all the way into the plug until it bottomed.

powerflow

Also the check bolt is super small, much smaller that the older style. Its do-able to fill but I imagine it would still be a PITA finding the right tube size to get fluid in thru the bore.

I'm a bit more anal than some, but I would buy a new fill plug, and get the bad one out.

cbptl08

all fixed, soaking the bolt for a couple of days and trying a few different type of extensions worked, it broke loose and I was able to change the fluid!

AndrewA

iTrader: (3)

nice job! now go get yourself a new plug

Link to New Plug 90081-pwt-000

cbptl08

already got one! thanks