PTU 2011 SHO

[Sho_Ride]

I'm in the process of prepping my ride for the LMS tune, got the plugs in but waiting for thermostat and 3 bar to arrive. I have all 4 wheels off the ground now to take a look at the brakes and thought this would be a good time to possibly change the PTU fluids. I have read some bad things about the PTU in the SHO and Edge so I am very concerned about it.

Has anyone attempted to do this on their own? Has anyone tapped a drain plug in their unit to make it easier in the future?

 

[brucelinc]

I changed the lubricant in the PTU of my MKS a couple of times. Some people have tapped them and added a drain plug. I had good results just sucking the old **** out through the same hole where you fill it. The job can be a little messy but it is not all that difficult and many of us do it on a regular basis.

 

[Hebes10]

I changed the lubricant in the PTU of my MKS a couple of times. Some people have tapped them and added a drain plug. I had good results just sucking the old **** out through the same hole where you fill it. The job can be a little messy but it is not all that difficult and many of us do it on a regular basis.

What did you use to suck it out? I tried a battery powered oil pump, but it died after just one use. I was going to try my Mityvac hand pump next time.

 

[brucelinc]

This is what I use:

 

[Sho_Ride]

do you go through the passenger side wheel well to get to the plug or are you able to reach it from underneath?

 

[brucelinc]

The first time I did it I went through the wheel well but did not remove the wheel. Just used enough extensions to go from inside the wheel area to the PTU. The 2nd time I did it, I was able to remove the plug directly at the PTU.

Make sure the car is level when you fill it. My old **** was in good shape and sucked out easily. The first time I did it, I had driven the car and it was still quite warm making it easy to suck out but also easy to burn hands and arms on the exhaust system. The 2nd time, I did it when everything was cool. First time was around 45,000 miles and 2nd time was around 60,000 or so.

 

[Sho_Ride]

The first time I did it I went through the wheel well but did not remove the wheel. Just used enough extensions to go from inside the wheel area to the PTU. The 2nd time I did it, I was able to remove the plug directly at the PTU.

directly at the PTU from underneath the car you mean? I am asking because I was under it last night and I can see the plug but I'm not sure I can get a ratchet in there from below the car.

 

[brucelinc]

I have a ratchet with a swivel head and I used that directly on the plug. Without the swivel head, it wouldn't be possible. Going from the wheel well with various extensions works fine, too.

 

[Sho_Ride]

Thanks Bruce, I knew you could find a way to explain it to me like I was a 5 year old lol. I found an identical pump at Walmart made by Pennzoil but I do not have that ratchet in my arsenal so I will get that soon. Not in a hurry as of yet because I am still patiently awaiting 3bar, thermostat and tuner.

 

[brucelinc]

I suppose I was somewhat fortunate that the **** in my PTU looked good after 45,000 miles. If it had been a gooey coagulated mess, the pump I had may not have been able to remove it. Hopefully, yours will not be too bad, either. One of the handiest tools I have is the swivel head ratchet but, again, using various extensions, the plug can be removed from the wheel well.

 

[Sho_Ride]

I almost bought one today at Home Depot but I wanted to see if I could find something nicer like craftsman or kobalt. Unless my eyes deceive me it looks the handle has a slight bend to it??

 

[Hebes10]

This is what I use:

ok thanks for posting. I actually have one of these. I will try it out on the Ptu.

 

[brucelinc]

I almost bought one today at Home Depot but I wanted to see if I could find something nicer like craftsman or kobalt. Unless my eyes deceive me it looks the handle has a slight bend to it??

The one in the pic with the bend in the handle is a Craftsman. I have one of those and also one with a straight handle that I got from Menards.

 

[SilverSH0]

I change mine every winter to give it new fluid. I go in through the wheel well but I also always have someone else helping. With two people it allows one person to feed the extensions and another person under the car directing it into the hole. I bought a $15 12V pump from Amazon that I use.

 

[Sho_Ride]

I just took the plug out and nothing is draining out. It's either empty or too thick. I just put the battery back in and started it up to warm up the oil.

 

[SilverSH0]

I just took the plug out and nothing is draining out. It's either empty or too thick. I just put the battery back in and started it up to warm up the oil.

It should be filled until it starts to flow out the fill hole. If you stick your little finger in and cannot feel anything then I suggest filling it and seeing how much it requires to fill.

 

[Johnbigdog]

I just took the plug out and nothing is draining out. It's either empty or too thick. I just put the battery back in and started it up to warm up the oil.

To thick. Old oil gets really black and really gelly. My understanding is some of this is the fine aluminum in the oil. You can put in new oil to mix and clean with the old stuff and kinda drain and fill. Or go to harbor freight and get an suction gun (item#95468) and pull it out the fill plug. This will also work well for the rear differential. I just did the rear gear **** with the suction gun.

 

[SHOdded]

https://www.harborfreight.com/oil-suction-gun-95468.html

 

[Jeff2017]

I'm in the process of prepping my ride for the LMS tune, got the plugs in but waiting for thermostat and 3 bar to arrive. I have all 4 wheels off the ground now to take a look at the brakes and thought this would be a good time to possibly change the PTU fluids. I have read some bad things about the PTU in the SHO and Edge so I am very concerned about it.

Has anyone attempted to do this on their own? Has anyone tapped a drain plug in their unit to make it easier in the future?

Some have put in a tap. I believe there is a detailed writeup of this with pictures on this forum.

 

[brucelinc]

I just took the plug out and nothing is draining out. It's either empty or too thick. I just put the battery back in and started it up to warm up the oil.

The **** should be level with the hole. I wouldn't expect any to just drain out unless it is over full. You have to stick a hose down into the PTU and suck it out.