Filling the AL4 gearbox from below, thoughts?

[PeteC8]

So, when I did the oil flush/change thing on my C8 with the AL4 box, I peered into the dim, dark recesses of the underbonnet and was unhappy, not only by the awful position of the filler plug, but the chances of any amount of dust dirt etc getting into the hole once unplugged.

How I overcame this was as follows:
Having got the beast warmed up on ramps and stands, I followed the normal draining procedure. Then screwed the drain plug back in, leaving the level plug open. From there I used a cheap LIDL electric fluid pump, with the feed end in a container holding a measured 3.1 litres of the liquid gold. The output end I connected to the level (inner) part of the combined level/drain plug using a section of plastic tube that "screwed" into the threaded part. Pumped the fresh oil up into the gearbox, screwed the level plug back in, then followed the running and levelling procedure in same fashion as if I had filled from above.

Shoot me if you wish, but I could not see any ultimate difference from the expected filling procedure, the advantage being you don't have to get any access to the engine compartment.

Thoughts please? Cheers, Pete

[CitroJim]

Sounds an excellent method to me Pete A lot of manual 'boxes are refilled in the same way after all

[MattBLancs]

Yes, I like the sound of that plan too!

(And even better have one of those pumps too )

[PeteC8]

Sounds an excellent method to me Pete A lot of manual 'boxes are refilled in the same way after all

Shows my ignorance, I thought I had stumbled on a unique concept!
How would one go about promoting the method as a "sticky", then no-one need ever delve under their auto bonnets again?

[Doo]

So, when I did the oil flush/change thing on my C8 with the AL4 box, I peered into the dim, dark recesses of the underbonnet and was unhappy, not only by the awful position of the filler plug, but the chances of any amount of dust dirt etc getting into the hole once unplugged.

How I overcame this was as follows:
Having got the beast warmed up on ramps and stands, I followed the normal draining procedure. Then screwed the drain plug back in, leaving the level plug open. From there I used a cheap LIDL electric fluid pump, with the feed end in a container holding a measured 3.1 litres of the liquid gold. The output end I connected to the level (inner) part of the combined level/drain plug using a section of plastic tube that "screwed" into the threaded part. Pumped the fresh oil up into the gearbox, screwed the level plug back in, then followed the running and levelling procedure in same fashion as if I had filled from above.

Shoot me if you wish, but I could not see any ultimate difference from the expected filling procedure, the advantage being you don't have to get any access to the engine compartment.

Thoughts please? Cheers, Pete

I have done this many times. It started when I had to do a mates Smart Car (or as I call them, Fart Car ). You have to suck the oil out then pump it back in

I also fill the sink with hot water & drop the new bottles of oil in to thin them down. Easier on the pump

[PeteC8]

Yes, I like the sound of that plan too!

(And even better have one of those pumps too )

Thanks, 2 positives and no negatives so far!
How would one go about promoting this as a "sticky" to help other poor souls tackle this messy job, ideas?