Transmission fill plug

Tiny
ANTHONY426
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CADILLAC CTS
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 127,000 MILES
The fill plug is stripped where the torks forty five goes. I am curious if it is cast iron or metal will I be able to weld a bolt to it to freeze so I can put fluid in my transmission?
Monday, May 1st, 2017 AT 4:31 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,494 POSTS
I hope you have a lift or tall jack stands. To check/fill that trans you need to have it jacked up level with the engine running in neutral. Then you remove the fill plug and add fluid until it starts to drip out.

From the book -

Start the engine and allow the engine to idle until the transmission fluid normal operating temperature has been reached.
Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever through the gear ranges, pausing a few seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the PARK range.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist. The vehicle must be level, with the engine running and the shift lever in the PARK range.
CAUTION: The engine must be running when the transmission fluid fill plug is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Transmission fluid may be hot. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fill plug. Have a container ready to capture any lost fluid. Do not turn the engine off with the fill plug removed, as you can be injured by hot transmission fluid being expelled out of the oil fill opening.

Remove the transmission plug (36).
IMPORTANT: The transmission fluid may darken with normal use and does not always indicate contamination or oxidation.

Check the fluid level. The fluid level should be even with the bottom of the threaded plug hole.
Add DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid in increments of 0.5 liters until the fluid drains from the plug hole.

As for the plug itself, they are steel and screwed into aluminum. They corrode in plus have loctite from the factory because those are supposed to be a "sealed for life" transmission.
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Friday, May 5th, 2017 AT 12:40 AM
Tiny
DAMON CISNEROS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Before you go welding anything to your vehicle I suggest grind two three notches into the bolt and using a chisel or strong screwdriver pound in each notch one at a time until you break it loose then you can unscrew it with the T-45 even If it's stripped.
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Saturday, January 4th, 2020 AT 12:17 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,722 POSTS
Excellent addition to this thread! Please feel free to use 2CarPros anytime!
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Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 12:17 PM
Tiny
JASON HUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CADILLAC CTS
  • 200,000 MILES
I’ve dropped the pan and need to back out the refill plug but it’s stripped. I’ve tried to heat it up to back it out. I was wondering what to do next?
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

I wouldn't recommend heating up the drain plug to get it come out, it's only defeating the purpose. What does metal do when it gets hot, it expands, making it harder to come out. Have you tried to see if you can get an easy out on it and get it out that way? If not, you can take a dremmel tool and grinding wheel and grind each side of the head so you can get a wrench on it and get it out that way. Please get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JASON HUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I actually used part of your answer and thank you.I was able to get it out easily using a saws all in attempt of squaring off the off 2 sides of the head and it just came out from there with no damage to any other parts. Love you guys and please get back on my reply if I really messed things up.
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 AT 9:44 AM (Merged)

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