Sportrak Fluid Change

Submitted by shedges on

Forum: 

I want to do a complete fluid change on a 97 Sportrak ELXi. Is it straight forward for a reasonably competent home mechanic?

I intend to replace the engine oil, gearbox oil, front & rear diffs and the transfer box(?)

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Fluid Change

Submitted by oldminiman on

Hi

Very easy job once you have removed the sump cover.

All apart from the engine sump are 24mm heads for dranage and for the top up level plug. I find the gearbox easier to refill rom beneath the bonnet. It is even easier if you remove the air filter plumbing. Use the correct oils and on the engine change the filter, The sump oil plug has a seal wich often remains on the sups. This should be removed and either replaced with a new seal. The seal usually used is a fibre with some form of sealant. I usually replace this with a copper type. Run the car and then allow to settle and check the level in the sump.

OLDMINIMAN

M J Young

As oldminiman says, nice

Submitted by Dave H on

As oldminiman says, nice easy way of spending an hour or two.

A ring spanner is required for best results when doing the gearbox. And it is easier to fill the 'box from above, with the correct amount measured and poured into a funnel attached to a good length of piping (as I can't be ar*ed to remove the airbox!)

(Grease the propshaft UJ's when under there waiting for the old oil to drain out!)

I use Comma EP80/90 series oils.

Dave with a Sporty

Dave with a Sporty

Thanks Oldminiman &

Submitted by shedges on

Thanks Oldminiman & Dave.

I've just posed another question above. All feedback appreciated.

No problem.

Submitted by Mace on

Easy jobs made easier if you have use of an inspection pit.
Filling into top of gear box is awkward. I find a large squeezy plastic bottle with a long plastic tube attached, can be used to pump the oil into the gear box --- plastic bottle needs frequent top ups.

If Sporty is a 97 model I suggest you also change the brake fluid.
Has the cam belt been replaced at 60,000 miles max intervals?

Thanks Mace We bought the

Submitted by shedges on

Thanks Mace

We bought the car off father-in-law and although it's been serviced the cam belt had never been changed. It had just tipped over 100k when we bought it! Local garage fitted a new one for £75 which I didn't think was too bad.

Is it easy enough to find the correct drain/filler bolts on the gearbox? I read somewhere in here that it's quite easy to get the wrong one and undo on of the gearshafts.

Also, I'm not familiar with 4x4s and while I can identify the gearbox and diffs, where does the transfer box sit? Is it separate to the gearbox and therefore require separate oil?

Thanks

You need a CD w/s manual.

Submitted by Mace on

Shedges ...........
You need to buy a full w/s manual on CD. Invaluable to Sporty owners. Its all you need .. servicing, repairs, wiring diagrams and oils etc. Either buy a CD from this site or message me and I will cost a copy for you. I am not certain if this site offers the full w/s manual but my CD certainly included the lot!

Transfer box

Submitted by oldminiman on

Hi AGain

The tranfer box sits next to the gearbox beneath and forward of the drivers seat and has a short propshaft going to the front diff. It has it's own oil, with it's own drain plug and again a refill and level plug.

Just an obvious note, when checking all four levels, front diff, gearbox, rear diff and transfer box make sure the vehicle is level, back t front and side to side.

OLDMINIMAN

M J Young