Hi guys,

I just took my 2002 VR-X in for an auto trans service yesterday (she got a full engine service when I bought her two months ago), and my mechanic commented that there wasn't an oil filter, which he was surprised about as he said base model Magnas have them. Can anyone here confirm that's correct? I'd hate to find something crucial got missed out!

Cheers.

The oil filter from about the TJ onwards is internal. Did he flush the trans oil properly? If your mechanic doesn't know that, change to someone more experienced. Speak with Mitsifix.

Watching with interest...

I plan to have a major/full service on my transmission next week.

This info is of interest to me so I can speak to the mechanic with knowledge on the subject so I'm not ripped off.

If your mechanic does not know your car that well I would suggest you take to a specialist who does know the car. Late TH onwards did not have an external filter, nothing to do with base model or not, was just a change Mits made to further save $$.

If your mechanic does not know your car that well I would suggest you take to a specialist who does know the car. Late TH onwards did not have an external filter, nothing to do with base model or not, was just a change Mits made to further save $$.

So Mal, does that mean you prefer the older 4spd with external filter once wave spring is changed to Th/TL models? i understand TW models had a different wavespring. My 4spd is in need of replacing in my tj.

It is easy enough to fit an inline filter in one of the radiator cooler hoses.

I prefer Manuals.....Wave spring is just a word that people on these forums are obsessed with for some reason. These transmissions are no more prone to failure than any other, remember that some of the cars are over 16 years old now.

Thanks everyone. GTVi, how would I determine whether or not my mechanic flushed the trans oil properly? He's worked on plenty of Magnas, just not VR-Xes.

My boyfriend and I bought a TJ Sports as a parts car with a ruined trans, believed (by the owner) to have been a wave spring problem. Now that we both have TF/TJ Magnas, it's turned out to be very useful - I got a fresh radiator, glove box, various seals, body clips, clear tail lights (still to be installed), and his Advance got new front seats and more. We fixed the gappy foam in one front seat which was causing indentations and rubbing in the fabric - carefully split open the seam from top to bottom, cut a piece of corflute sign to shape and inserted it behind the foam but over the metal frame, then restitched the seam by hand. It took a few hours, but seems to have worked really well. Now I've noticed the same problem starting in my VR-X and figure on repeating the procedure on her.

I realise now that I could have bought a cleaner car, needing less work, for not much more cash, but it's been great figuring out how to fix the problems!

TJ seats: (base?)
The fabric cover has plastic strips around the bottom at the front and sides of the seat base. These fold over and attach to the metal frame. If they come off, the fabric looses tension and the foam will part. It's more that the fabric keeps the foam in shape than the foam keeping the fabric in shape.

Gearbox: If the fluid is clear and the car shifts gears fine, you can assume it was flushed correctly.
(Other than standing around and watching the mechanic while he is doing it, there is no way to know)

"how would I determine whether or not my mechanic flushed the trans oil properly? "

Max has answered the question.

"how would I determine whether or not my mechanic flushed the trans oil properly? "

Max has answered the question.

Sorry, wasn't I supposed to?
I hate it when people ask a specific person a question in an open forum.
Never know if I'm free to answer or not.
I guess if someone really wants only one person to answer, a PM would be more useful?
Just an idea.

Cheers Max. The split foam is on the side support section of the back, not on the base; I felt the corresponding point on the passenger front seat and the same thing is happening there also.

Sorry Max, I only just saw this after my latest reply. I addressed my question to GTVi particularly as the owner of the original comment about flushing the trans properly, but you were very welcome to reply and I appreciated your answering my question :) I'm a newbie to posting on forums and maybe I didn't follow the correct etiquette.

Thanks everyone. GTVi, how would I determine whether or not my mechanic flushed the trans oil properly? He's worked on plenty of Magnas, just not VR-Xes.

Be wary, IF your mechanic has worked on plenty of Magna's and not just VRX's then they would know that the 5sp Auto as well as late TH onwards (mainly TJ onwards) dont have external filters.

Glad you got our question answered and your parts car should provide you many good parts by the sound of this. The Wave Spring is just what people blame, oil pumps can go without a wave spring issue as can Planetary Gears

Thanks for the information, everyone - greatly appreciated :)