Is there an easy way to line up the T/C drain plug so it can be drained. Doing a tranny filter change along with hose replacment and was wanting to do a system flush before I take it all apart. Just can't get the plug to line up.

Thanks.....

 

2 ways either put a piece of cardbord into the grate and slowly turn the engine from the crank bolt (27mm deep socket ) once the drain plugs gets near the hole it will push the paper out.
Or have a helper turn the engine till you you can see the plug.

Try turning the engine to TDC and see if the TC has been properly lined up. From the WSM it says to make sure the TC drain is at the bottom when the engine is at TDC

 

Thanks Merlin, I disconnested the coil wire and bumped the starter until I got it.

 

thats cheating

 

That's a great tip! I must have been up and down 10 times this past weekend getting mine lined up.

 

Ha ha, I did mine the same way!

 

make sure to ground the coil wires so you dont fry the brain

 

Actually I was a little off, I didn't disconnect the coil wire, I just bumped it enough that it would move but not start.

 

You can also put a mirror under the TC so you can see it in the front of the car while turning the crank bolt.

 

As information for future searches:

My convertor drain plug is about 5- 10 degrees BEFORE the TDC mark ('94 GTS).

Gary

 

C'mon now, this is 2009. You need a web cam pointed at the torque converter, with a live link here on the list. Slowly turn the crank, and when someone here sees the plug line up with the opening, they'll send a text message to your iPhone, with an "Okay, it's lined up" ringtone.

 

You're such a dork Larry. Or is it geek? I'll bet you don't even own a cell phone. LOL!

 

I read that around 82% of Americans have a cell phone. I figure that puts me in the top 18%.

 

This is a brilliant tip, especially when not having the luxury of another pair of eyes staring up at the converter (or if the drain isnt at the bottom when the engine isnt at TDC, which mine was not). I pushed in a folded piece of thin cardboard into the grate on the bottom of the TC cover/enclosure, then while laying under the car slowing turning the crank pulley by hand and the little bit of cardboard made a nice little flutter as the drain plug scrolled by, easily visible as I turned the crank.

Filling the trans was made easy with the use of a 2L pressure garden sprayer with a 2 foot extension of tubing and an elbow that hooked on the trans fluid reservoir opening. Loaded about 8-9 quarts in about 20 minutes without spilling a drop. The garden sprayer worked so well, I might one or two more for dedicated fluids (motor oil, gear oil).

 

Another approach is to put a paint mark on the crank damper to index the position of the plug.

With regard to your filling procedure I am somewhat puzzled as to how you attached/removed the hose without spuilling ATF when the sump is filled correctly given when the motor is switched off the contents of the torque converter flow back into the sump and that floods the reservoir- logic suggests the only way one can do this is with the engine running. I trust you are aware that there is a fitting close to that reservoir to achieve this objective- it is designed to work with a quick fit coupling that can also be utilised by slipping an appropriately sized hose [3/8th inch?] over the fitting. Of course if your method works for you all well and good.