auto transmission fluid change

[niteram]

right then,
my 1.6 petrol tourer has developed a leak from the transmission cooler pipe at the radiator end.
I have a new (genuine) connector/seal to fit, the pipe is NLA
but there will be an amount of oil lost during the remove/refit process plus the unknown quantity already lost.

rather than top up the fluid, I guess it would be better to change the fluid,

I've read the workshop manual instructions online which seems fairly straightforward until the part where it says

"the fluid level must only be checked in conjuntion with the fluid temperature - see diagnostic tool"

I don't have any GM diagnostics,  what would be best to get (and cost) or would it just be more cost effective to pay someone to change the connector and the fluid?

[Rusty2009]

I would think it would be most cost effective to pay a local garage to do it.

You could try an op-com but I'm not sure if that will give you any oil temp readings on the box.

[niteram]

no I wasn't sure, I've tried a few ocal garages who were all a bit vague
I'll have a chat with my local dealer, I know the service receptionists so usually get a decent job done

[niteram]

just got it back from the main dealer
£194 and change, including my 25% discount (2 hours labour plus fluids etc)
apparently they had 15 pages of instructions on changing transmission fluid
they did say that the fluid was dirty so looks like it needed doing (only 50,000 mile car) and the trans fluid is supposed to be sealed for life and doesn't need changing.

[Rusty2009]

just got it back from the main dealer
£194 and change, including my 25% discount (2 hours labour plus fluids etc)
apparently they had 15 pages of instructions on changing transmission fluid
they did say that the fluid was dirty so looks like it needed doing (only 50,000 mile car) and the trans fluid is supposed to be sealed for life and doesn't need changing.

I don't think any fluid will really last for life and I thinks its crazy the Vauxhall say it will.

When I asked my dealership about changing the gearbox oil I was told if I do I'll void the warranty on the box, I still did it anyway and Vauxhall lifetime warranty reactivated the warranty even with the stamp being shown in the book.