LCPLPunk

Hey guys,

So I replaced all my tranny fluid a week or two ago and now I'm trying to make sure the level is correct. After I did the fluid swap I drove it around and got the temp to about 175 (measure on the dash) and saw just barely a smidge of oil on the dipstick. I put another quart in then and just checked it again today.

Today, I got it up t 165 degrees and the dipstick shows about the same level, barely any.

I've looked on the forums and have only seen things like 'get the car warmed up', etc, but not definitive answer on the temperature range I can check it in. If the temps are 165 and 175 for the checks would they have been accurate? I also made sure to put the car in each gear for a few seconds and then went back to park.

I was going to throw another quart in, but I know that having too much can be worse than having too little so I'm going to wait to hear what you guys say.

- Car is a 1996

Thanks!

WVZR-1

Your temps are what I would expect. Drive the car until the engine and trans are at what you consider appropriate temperature and check. Most cars earlier than '96 don't have access to transmission temperatures without adding a gauge.

antfarmer2

it is running when you check? do not put a quart at a time in. just bit by bit till right.

BOOT77

Those temps are fine, are you checking it parked on a level surface?

LCPLPunk

Level surface, car running.

Thanks for the clarification, I'll add half a quart and check it again next time I drive.

corvetteronw

If you got all the fluid out (including the torque converter) then it should take 12 quarts. Here is someone's video of a Gordon Killebrew class on how to perform a "no jackstand" fluid change. Sound quality is not the best.
I saw him do this on his son in law's C4 and it worked so well that I did it at home.







Pics are mine.

aklim

Unless it is that low, I wouldn't add anything before getting it to temp then check and add if necessary.

BOOT77

If you get too much in you can always suck it out the dipstick tube with a vac pump if you don't wanna unhook a trans line.

LCPLPunk

I did the Killebrew method which was awesome BTW, but I also dropped the pan and changed the filter as well. I didn't add back in the fluid from the valve body, so that might have been a quart just by itself.

Cliff Harris

Something to note:

From the FSM: "DO NOT OVERFILL. It takes only one pint to raise the level from "ADD" to "FULL" with a hot transmission."

ex-x-fire

It's simple, get the trans level to the lower level mark and then drive it for 3-4 miles at speed. Recheck the level, add till it's a little below the upper level. I'd only fill it to the upper line completely on a hot summer day.
Yeah it's true the atf does get heat exchanged from the cooler in the rad, most of the heat (that causes the atf to expand) comes from driving it.

LCPLPunk

I added half a quart yesterday and just checked it this morning after getting back from the gym. The dipstick still shows just a tiny amount on the bottom, nothing even remotely close to the cross hairs. I have half a quart left of fluid, so I'll add that and it looks like I may need to grab another bottle at the store.

aklim

Are you sure that you added that much and you are still low? Hopefully it isn't leaking

LCPLPunk

I know I'm leaking, but it isn't that much, that fast.

I added the last half quart I had after I checked it this morning and when I checked it at work later it was about 1/3 of the way up from the highest crossmarks. I think another 1/4 of a quart and I should be good.

aklim

Where is the leak at? You certainly want it fixed before you drive much further.

LCPLPunk

It seems like it's past the tranny pan, going towards the rear of the car. There is a brace and sensor nearby. It had a lot of gunk around the area so I degreased it and sprayed it out, but I haven't looked at it again since I did that (about a week ago).

aklim

I gather it might be the rear sensor? The VSS sensor perhaps? Maybe you need to clean it till you can eat off it, put dye in the trans fluid and run. Then use a blacklight.

LCPLPunk

Yep, I have a four-day weekend starting tomorrow so one of those days I'll clean it up and see what turns up. Is the VSS sensor just a remove and replace?

aklim

I'd change the gasket if I remove it. If you want to get a new one, it is going to come with a gasket, I think. Clean the whole thing and dye it.

383vett

The VSS sensor has an o-ring, not a gasket. Often they leak through the sensor at the terminals.