Hi 👋 

 

Was having some niggly issues with my beloved galaxy power shift and I decided to give the gearbox a service! It was only serviced approx 7k miles ago (I knew last owner very well and saw the pictures) but I couldn’t be 100 percent certain he done it correctly as he doesn’t use forscan! 

I done it today! Drained out about 5.5 litres of old oil. The oil was dark brown and smelt like gearbox oil with a slight burnt smell, but nothing extreme. I used a very fine sieve whilst the oil drained out of both chambers and I caught absolutely no bits of metal or debris! I was shocked myself. The filter contained no metal filings neither. 

I then replaced the oil filter and pre filled it with 3 quarters of oil before re installing. 

I started refilling my gearbox with the new oil but I noticed it took about 6 litres of it to even start seeping out of the side level bung! I expected it to take between 5 to 5.5 litres before dribbling out as most comments online say this is to be expected. However for me it took about 6 litres. 
 

I then ran the car with forscan connected and waited until my transmission temperature hit 40 degrees and cycled through each gearing for 20 seconds (as this is what’s needed before removing the side bung again).

 

It was still seeping some oil out (but slower than before) so I decided to add another 500ml until it flowed out more freely. 
 

I followed all the steps I’ve watched and read online and I believe I have done this properly. 
 

So far it only seems to have changed 2 things. Upshifts appear to be smoother but it holds on for longer and downshifts kicks are more stronger than before the oil change. I don’t know if this is normal? 
 

Again, can I check if the level bung should SEEP SLOWLY or RUN FREELY? 

If it was dirty brown, it doesn't look as though it was changed?

You have to make certain that BOTH chambers are filled by following, for example, Alan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CERqRSK2SWM

The final refilling step after you've done everything else (and kept car level) is to add oil again (fills up front chamber then overflows) and as soon as it flows again, wait until it slows to a drip then put the plug back in.
I actually add usually 100ml or so to account for an leaks which is outside the proper process but has never caused any issues for me.

So to check the level, set car level, go through all gear positions, remove plug, there WILL be an overflow, wait till it stops then then fill up as above.

Another noted use of the word "Love" as applied to Galaxy/S-MAX! 😉

Hey! 
 

Yeah I’m surprised it was that colour too but I know for a fact it was changed 6/7k ago. I was sent the pictures with the car being drained and the car came with excess left over dct fluid. Def was done! 
 

Do you know what the 20 second hold is for in each gear? Is it just to get the new oil flowing through or is it some kind of adaption or reset? 
 

I think to be safe I’ll re check it when forscan reads 35 degrees on the transmission .. again making sure I’m on level ground! When I remove the bung on the side, if the oil seeps out slowly at this point, that means I do not need to add any more? If it flows more freely I need to let some out? As I say above, I had 7 litres of oil this morning and with the loss of about 300ml spillage and 250ml in the oil filter housing, that means my galaxy took in 6.3 litres or so! That seems excessive to me after reading around? 

 

My understanding (guess!) of the reason for the hold in each gear is to be sure that every piston, component and channel in the entire gearbox is activated and used, flushing oil through it.

NO, if you take the plug out and oil flows it is definitely NOT above the correct level!:

From ETIS:

 

NOTE: If transmission fluid escapes it is not an indication that the fluid level is correct.

1. Main control chamber transmission fluid level. 
2. Gear set and clutch chamber transmission fluid level. 
3. Fluid level check bore. 

When you remove the plug, oil WILL flow out from the gearset side BUT the front chamber will be low (needs topping up until it just flows over the front chamber lip.
Therefore you remove plug, wait until it stops (if the fluid is new, you can collect it) and add  back in 100ml steps at first, likely up to perhaps 300ml, then in 50 ml steps (best get a helper to add whilst you observe?)  until oil just starts to flow again, then wait until any steady stream turns to drips before putting plug back (then add a small amount extra if you wish)

I only know that 7l gives a fill and enough for a top up in each of the next 2 years if necessary but, as said, if new clean fluid comes out, I make sure the gearbox side is clean then collect it in a jug.