Big Car Club - MPV and SUV Forums

Dear All.
I like my Mk1 2.3l auto petrol Galaxy. I used to be hands on home mechanic but I am now 78 and becoming a bit nervous of tackling slightly tricky jobs. The Haynes manual tells us how to drain the auto box but then says it only drains half the fluid! My gearbox is jerky when cold and I think that some previous owner put engine oil in (the colour is light amber). I need to drain completely and refill with correct fluid. It is sitting in the drive waiting for me to get the courage to make a start. Any ideas would be welcome.
Regards
Brian

Here you go have a read through this.

https://www.fordmpv.com/smf2/ford-galaxy-reference-library/ford-galaxy-automatic-transmission-fluid-replacement-level-check-(ag5-09b)/

ATF will go that sort of colour when aged and degraded,I can't imagine it's hot engine oil in box as it would drive awful if at all due to its different properties to atf

Hi Brian, yes its not possible to empty it all out in one go without removing the box from the car.

IIRC 7 litres is the full capacity and you get around 5 out with a normal drain which should be more then enough. Unfortunately you might have the start of a sticking solenoid if its only when cold, in which case you might want to take a read of this post instead:

https://www.fordmpv.com/smf2/wip-board/ford-galaxy-09a-automatic-gearbox-failure-to-upshift-when-cold/

Always worth changing the oil first though.

Thanks for both replies. I am encouraged if frightened by the prospect of undertaking a solenoid replacement, but may attempt this after doing an oil change. Thanks truly.