Technical Dualogic Service / No special equipment

[ConstantinosGP]

Hello fellow Fiat owners,

I am using Fiat forum for the last 4 years for various matters regarding my Fiat GP 1.4 8v automatic 2010 but now I decided to register and sick for advice.

I want to change the dualogic oil (tutela CS speed) as I believe that after 10 years it needs to be changed regarding the fact that the handbook is not recommending that. I am very capable on DIY car service.


I read a lot of threads in this forum and I came with this process but i need from you guys to advice how proper is my thinking.


What I am planning to is:

1. Disconnect the battery so when i open the door will not initiate the actuator, leave it for 24hours or even more so the oil can be depressurized by itself (will it?) and it will return back to its container (i don't want to buy MES and an OBD to do the depressurize)
2. Take of the dualogic tin cover, open the top screw, insert a small pump to take off the oil but leave some (minimum indicated level). Pour 300 ml, plug the battery and turn the key on the 1st stage, change gear from N to 1st then back to N, insert another 250ml, and again repeat changing gears.
3. Close the cap, put the tin cover back and you are a king in your Fiat with new dualogic oil.

Please let me know what do you think. I am sorry if I am repeating some threads.

Best regards,
ConstantinosGP

 

[portland_bill]

To really get all the old oil out, you will probably have to remove the whole unit off the top of the gearbox, then tip the oil out.

Afterwards it will need bleeding. There's a procedure using the MultiECUscan software, but it is likely that it will bleed itself, but may take a little time. Until bled, you may experience problems with clutch and gear engagement.

 

[kjeldio]

Hi
The easyest way is to use the pump itself, remove the steelpipe at the bottom, (Use a brake pipe nippel wrench.) I used a small 12V battery directly to the pump after disconnecting the electrical wire connector, remember only let it run for about 15 sek at a time, then wait some time to let the motor cool down.
BRs. Kjeld

 

[irc]

Unless you have a really good reason, it would probably be wiser to wait until you need a clutch or accumulator change.
Not sure what you expect to gain, but there is the chance of causing a new problem by doing this.
The hydraulic fluid should not get contaminated in use, unless a seal is failing, or the accumulator membrane fails. Simply changing the fluid won't help either of those, as the new fluid will be contaminated straight away.

Best way to empty fluid is to tip it out, and the best time to do that is when changing the accumulator, which you may never need to do.
Possibly there's a valid reason to change it when changing the clutch, and certainly it can be easier if removing the gearbox anyway.

Also, re-filling has a procedure to follow, which is not just topping it up to the line.

Safety:
I would not advise working on the system unless properly de-pressurised - theoretically your method could work, but then again, how would you know for definite without reading the pressure in the system.

 

[ConstantinosGP]

Hello irc.
Thank you for your reply. So MES would do proper bleeding and then it will pressurise it again?

Do I need to buy the premium version of MES or the free version can do this?

Best regards,
ConstantinosGP

 

[ConstantinosGP]

To really get all the old oil out, you will probably have to remove the whole unit off the top of the gearbox, then tip the oil out.

Afterwards it will need bleeding. There's a procedure using the MultiECUscan software, but it is likely that it will bleed itself, but may take a little time. Until bled, you may experience problems with clutch and gear engagement.

Hello Portlant_bill
Thank you for your reply.

I am confused now . the right process it to remove the oil and then bleed it, or bleed it and then remove the oil. As I mentioned before, i don't want to remove all the oil, only 80% so I can add fresh oil.
Also, if the car is connected to MES (which implies battery is connected) then the dualogic will start to pump oil into the system. My question is, if i have oil into the system, How I am going to pump it out from the reservoir.?

Best regards,
ConstantinosGP

 

[kjeldio]

Hi!
Read my answer at #3 .
If you do it like that, just refill with same amount as removed.

BRs. Kjeld

 

[kompica]

Hi
The easyest way is to use the pump itself, remove the steelpipe at the bottom, (Use a brake pipe nippel wrench.) I used a small 12V battery directly to the pump after disconnecting the electrical wire connector, remember only let it run for about 15 sek at a time, then wait some time to let the motor cool down.
BRs. Kjeld

Hi.
Is it safe to drain all liquid on that way at the bottom(by opening and closing door) until all fluid (approx 0.7l) came out? Or is it Safer to leave some fluid (0.2l) at the bottom od the tank?
Could something go wrong if if i drain all fluid?

After i drain fluid i plan to put same amount of fluid through tank cap hole on the top.
Could i top it on that hole on the top?

As i understand when i Open the door system is pressurized and fluid must be to to min level, and when i close the door system is not pressurized and after some time all liquid came back to tank to Max level (no over).

Do i need to bleed clutch after draining all liquid or system can also bleed by itself during time?

Have you done this before on Fiat Grande punto Petrol cfc328?


Thanks

 

[portland_bill]

Hi.
Is it safe to drain all liquid on that way at the bottom(by opening and closing door) until all fluid (approx 0.7l) came out? Or is it Safer to leave some fluid (0.2l) at the bottom od the tank?
Could something go wrong if if i drain all fluid?

After i drain fluid i plan to put same amount of fluid through tank cap hole on the top.
Could i top it on that hole on the top?

As i understand when i Open the door system is pressurized and fluid must be to to min level, and when i close the door system is not pressurized and after some time all liquid came back to tank to Max level (no over).

Do i need to bleed clutch after draining all liquid or system can also bleed by itself during time?

Have you done this before on Fiat Grande punto Petrol cfc328?


Thanks

The pump will be lubricated by the oil it is pumping. If you run it dry, there may be a risk of damage to the pump. I would suggest toppingit up as it gets to the bottom of the tank, just before it disappears from view. This will ensure the pump does not run dry, but reduce the risk of old and new oil mixing.

 

[kompica]

The pump will be lubricated by the oil it is pumping. If you run it dry, there may be a risk of damage to the pump. I would suggest toppingit up as it gets to the bottom of the tank, just before it disappears from view. This will ensure the pump does not run dry, but reduce the risk of old and new oil mixing.

Thanks for answer, ill Will left some oil at the bottom.

I plan to disconnect battery and leave car overnight to system deppresurize by itself.

Then i Will disconnect metal pipe at the bottom of the tank, and out container under it

Then i reconnect battery to start the pumping fluid out to container, and when it stop pumping i Will Open door to continue pumping fluid out.

When it only stay little fluid at the bottom i Will put back metal pipe at the bottom of tank.

Then i Will Open cap on the top and top new fluid in the same amount i drain out.

After that close the cap, and in alfaobd bleed system X3, clear errors and do end of Line calibration.

(I would deppresurize system also before changing fluid with alfaobd but i dont know where is pump connector to disconnect)

Is there any filter under the cap to block fluid to pour into tank?

What is that first green Mark on the tank right under the cap?
Second green Mark is Max level.

Is that safe procedure?
I dont have any problem with dualogic but after 200k km i plan to change it.

Many thanks