DIY VTM-4 (differential) Fluid change with pictures

[ecsw]

I went to 2nd service today for my Pilot. Dealer charges $80cdn to change VTM-4 fluid and $40cdn for Tire Rotation. I can get tire rotation for free form Kal-Tire (famous Canadian tire shop) and I decided to just change the oil and since I remember reading on the forum that VTM-4 fluid was easy to change, so I decided to do it myself.

It's is very simple for the whole procedure and it took around 30 minutes or so.

Here is the picture for the procedure. I hope this will help some of us to change the fluid without getting ripped off.

First, locate the bolt which is rigth in front of the spare tire. It's pretty easy to get and i have some cardboard on the floor.

[ecsw]

remove the top filling bolt as told by other members from the forum.

[ecsw]

Remove the drain bolt. Be careful with this as the fluid might shoot out quite far when first removed.

[ecsw]

3/8" drive ratchet wrench as told from another thread to remove both bolts.

[ecsw]

Both bolts were removed.

[ecsw]

VTM-4 Fluid bought from dealer. $40cdn.

[ecsw]

Hand pump for pumping fluid. $2 cdn from Daiso ($2 dollar store in Richmond, BC)

[ecsw]

Yes, I understand some of you might ask me if I changed the crashable wash. No, i didn't because i didnt realize that was necessary when I got my VTM-4 fluid from the dealer. They didn't bother to tell me either. I re-used it this time and I think I will get it for next time. However, the washer looks as new still. Not sure why it's necessary to change.

I have only change oil once in my life time and found this is even easier than changing the oil since you don't even have to worry about the filter. I do change the oil on my scooter and love to DIY with a lot of things around the house. But if I can do it, I am sure most of you can do it too.

Again, hope some of you can be benefited from this post.

[Sunday Rider]

Very nicely done ecsw

Great job with the job and pictures. You are right is so much easier than an oil change.
Too bad we don't have Kaltire out here!

So when are you doing the tranny fluid change. It is easy too!

By the way did you find any metal on the magnet attached to the drain plug?

By the way, but I am sure you know. Don't use that pump for any other fluid than VTM, not even tranny fluid.

[humanoid]

Very nice job and thanks for the pics!

[jcantanixon]

The copper washer is a "crush" washer and is supposed to compress a little bit when you tighten it, to create a good seal. It's a good habit to replace them to prevent leaks because you can't "uncrush" it to use it again. Of course, the sealing surface and the bolt are usually pretty flat and you can get away with reusing the washer without a leak.

Personally, if I forget to buy a washer when I'm at the dealer, I just make sure to flip the old one over. This method is not recommended for underwear.

[robottik]

Thanks for the thread... Nice work.

Quick question... Is it necessary to drive the car a bit to warm up the fluid first, so it drains better?

[ecsw]

thanks all.

Sunday Rider,

really? why no pump other than VTM-4 fluid? I might try transmittion fluid when it's required. how often is it? I didn't try any magnet with the plug. Why?

jcantanixon,

hehehe... I was thinking about flipping it. But by the time I got the drain plug down, it drops to the oil drain pan and I can't tell which side it was. I would buy new one next time for sure.

robottik,

I had about 30 minutes driving before I drain the fluid. But be careful with the muffler as it might get hot to touch. When I drain the fluid, it was warm to touch and I do think it would drain faster when warm.

[jay]

Originally posted by ecsw
thanks all.

Sunday Rider,

really? why no pump other than VTM-4 fluid? I might try transmittion fluid when it's required. how often is it? I didn't try any magnet with the plug. Why?

jcantanixon,

hehehe... I was thinking about flipping it. But by the time I got the drain plug down, it drops to the oil drain pan and I can't tell which side it was. I would buy new one next time for sure.

robottik,

I had about 30 minutes driving before I drain the fluid. But be careful with the muffler as it might get hot to touch. When I drain the fluid, it was warm to touch and I do think it would drain faster when warm.

Sunday Rider meant that now that you used that pump for VTM fluid, make sure you label or store it so in the future you use it again, only for VTM fluid. You want to use a separate, different pump for each fluid that needs one, and don't mix them, to avoid fluid cross-contamination.

[Sunday Rider]

Originally posted by jay
Sunday Rider meant that now that you used that pump for VTM fluid, make sure you label or store it so in the future you use it again, only for VTM fluid. You want to use a separate, different pump for each fluid that needs one, and don't mix them, to avoid fluid cross-contamination.

Thanks Jay , sorry ecsw I wasn' t clear. I had a shop use the same pump he used for automatic fluid, and when he put VTM fluid in my car with that pump, there was a grinding noise when I made tight turns. I went back and then drained the VTM fluid, used a clean pump, the condition went away. I put my pump in a bag, and use only for VTM fluid.

The drain plug has a magnet on the end of it. When you pull it out, you can see if there is fine metal attached (attracted) to it. You can see from your picture, but it looks clean. Maybe when you took out you used a cloth to clean it up for the picture. Next time, just check to see what is on it. Same thing with the automatic tranny drain plug, you have a magnet there too.