Does My Auto Tranny Pan Have Drain Plug?

[TallPaul]

I have a 2000 Gulfstream Conquest Sport 28' Class C motorhome on the cutaway one ton Chevy van chassis with a 454 V8. It's listed as a 2000 Cutaway Express with a build date of 7/30/99. VIN ends in Y1113895. The dealer looked it up and said it's tranny code MT1, which I associated with the 4L80-E transmission on Google.

 

I see a hex head (bolt, plug) on the bottom of the tranny pan, actually in an area where the pan indents higher than the rest of the pan bottom. I wonder if this is a drain plug, but since it is not at the low part I suspect the bolt holds some component to the pan.

 

Can you tell me if this really is a drain plug, or just a bolt that I should not remove?

 

Thanks,

[Draenor]

Its the drain plug. Its in the indent so it doesn't get sheared off, if you run over something. Also its also designed to remove most of the fluid vs taking the pan down to drain. You should still remove the pan and replace the filter, and inspect the insides for any metal shaving and what not.

[TallPaul]

Thanks much. That's great. It will prevent a big mess in dropping the pan. Actually makes dropping the pan a driveway job. Is there a torque value for reinstalling the plug?

[Norseman]

Is there a torque value for reinstalling the plug?

 

Yep, it's called snug. As long as you just snug it you'll be fine.

[TallPaul]

Yep, it's called snug. As long as you just snug it you'll be fine.

Oh, I see, it's the rusty torque wrench. Haven't snugged one in a long time because I have drain valves on all my oil pans. It'll work though.

[Norseman]

Yep, it's called snug. As long as you just snug it you'll be fine.

Oh, I see, it's the rusty torque wrench. Haven't snugged one in a long time because I have drain valves on all my oil pans. It'll work though.