Sele Fluid Change, Bleed And Type

[Alfa156Melb 9]

As I will be swapping out the EV0 seals this weekend, I went and bought some tutela CS speed to replenish the Sele fluid.

 

I found a brief explanation from you Smaky on AO, on how to bleed the system - simple, but I may have a small problem...

 

When my engine was replaced a couple of years ago, my specialist put new sele fluid in the system... I check it sometimes and the levels are always good so I've never had to worry about it..

 

Thing is, the fluid in my car is blue. I just assumed that was the colour of Tutela CS... I suspect, as they use Martini Racing products for their oil (which is blue) they must have used the Martini equivalent in the sele system. That in itself is no big deal, although I'd rather them use the specified stuff in such a fickle system...

 

Anyway, I know most of the fluid will drain out with the EV0 out, I will also disconnect the hoses to the actuator.. my question is, there will surely be some leftover fluid in the system that will mix with the tutela, will that present a problem? And if so, should I flush through some fluid a couple of times?

 

(given the cost of tutela, i really dont want to do that @ $50 per litre)

[Smaky 73]

Need to start a lounge just for your questions, how can one car have so many issues?

[Alfa156Melb 9]

Eh.. unfortunately, you're the goto man for all things Alfa.. It's the way of things Smaky

 

Anyway, i just wanted to know if mixing sele fluids would cause problems down the track.. In the end, i drained as much as I could.. replaced the EV seals.. put it all back together again.... I've read everywhere that its critical that you use tutela cs in the sele system.. yet others on various forums contradict that.. so if you're starting from a base of zero knowledge, sorting through the many contradictions on the web can be challenging.. hence the endless questions :Big Grin:

 

I treated it to new gearbox oil too (Redline 75w90NS).. and she's working absolutely perfectly.. the car is pretty much faultless now.. the clutch is due soon, but its not showing any signs of needing replacement anymore.. so it can wait.

 

You have a point though - a few things have been playing up the last few months - I think it's more that im in the mood to jump on things early too... I'm having fun with it though.

[Smaky 73]

LOL, I think you missed the sarcasm in the statement, nevertheless, your on top of things now and hopefully have learned the true path to selespeed enlightenment is not to mix hydraulic fluids (UNLESS IT'S AN ABSOLOUTE EMERGENCY) and to give all the symptoms when posing a question....then you wont get the blanket "change the actuator" reply favoured by independants who don't have a clue.

[Alfa156Melb 9]

See, this is what happens when you respond when you've just got back from a 4 hour drive home, after having spent a day under the car and another day chain sawing firewood wood for your family... My sarcasm radar was under the weather...

 

In regards to the fluids, some would have mixed but I doubt very much. Tell me, what is the definitive answer to this - should we ONLY use Tutela CS or would a similar spec ATF fluid suffice? David C from the other place uses a Redline product apparently without any drama's, My mechanic uses a Martini product and for two years that worked perfectly fine (unless that was the reason my seals failed).. I mean, is it really that important?

 

You're not wrong about the so called expert independents - I learnt a hell of a lot this weekend and now I'm very confident that in most cases I can pretty much sort the sele whatever the problem.. with help from the forum of course, but far better than forking out thousands for no reason.

Edited May 19, 2013 by Alfa156Melb

[Smaky 73]

The debate about Tutela CS Speed vs other ATF fluids will always go on,

 

But this fact stands,

 

Systems which have been run purely on CS Speed have rarely had issues with the seals. Syatems which have had other fluids mixed with CS Speed have ALWAYS had problems and whatever David C is using in his then I would stay away from, no ammount of flushing a system out would uncontaminate a seal and therefore different component elements of the oils may react and this affects the seals composition and causes the problems.

 

So in conclusion, ONLY use Tutela CS Speed and it's cheaper than most ATF fluids anyway.

[Alfa156Melb 9]

OK well that makes a lot of sense...

 

Up to about 3 years ago, i left the maintenance solely to my mechanic. Since then - well since I left a cam belt change too late and paid the price, I've taken an obsessive approach to doing my own maintenance - as you know.

 

Unfortunately, the mechanic put in his own ATF fluid so I will no doubt experience more issues down the track. But, from now on, only the correct spec stuff will be used in the car. In fact I feel like i should flush the system again just to make sure! Pity it's too late now.

 

For such a problematic system, it's beyond belief why so many people feel they know better than the designers - any wonder these issues arise, then the system gets blamed rather than improper maintenance - oh well. I guess I'm lucky in that in 6 years of ownership, this is the first time I've had a problem with it.

 

Incidentally - Tutela CS is $50/litre in Australia.. so not so cheap...

 

Anyway, appreciate the help as always Smaky - you along with some great ppl in Ausalfa.com have saved me a fortune I'm currently saving for a GTA, still a few months away - but when i eventually get it, brace yourself for the barrage of questions coming from yours truly! :Big Grin:

[Smaky 73]

CS is £8/L here. You Aussies are being mugged.

[Alfa156Melb 9]

Yep, we are, hence we buy from the UK when possible.