Transmission fluid reading
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
Transmission fluid reading
Anyone else struggling to get an accurate transmission fluid level on the dipstick? Mine is always staying at the end where the stick kind of twists when the engines hot, regardless how much I put in
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
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From: US-PNW
Have you checked to ensure you have the correct gauge (dip stick) – what model is your trans and what is the part number on your gauge?
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Geez, on my car I have to get it up on jack stands. crawl underneath, remove a plug in the center of the right side of the transmission and stick my little finger in the hole to check the level. I guess the dipstick is my little finger.
You Automatic transmission guys crack me up.
You Automatic transmission guys crack me up.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
Geez, on my car I have to get it up on jack stands. crawl underneath, remove a plug in the center of the right side of the transmission and stick my little finger in the hole to check the level. I guess the dipstick is my little finger.
You Automatic transmission guys crack me up.
You Automatic transmission guys crack me up.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
So I did another check today. Warmed up the engine, ran it through the gears while idling, put it in park, checked the reading, and its about 1cm off of the end of the dipstick. I added about .7 quarts (on top of the .4 quarts I put 2 days ago, for a total of ~1.1 quarts so far). Gave it a minute, ran the gears, checked the level, literally same exact place. Funny enough, when I stop the car and check the level, it skyrockets (didn't check where exactly the level was). Any ideas? I didn't add more cuz I thought I added enough, didn't wanna overflow it. I don't have any significant trans fluid leaks.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
An auto trans holds a lot of fluid. How much have you put in? Also, you are checking with the car on a level surface with the engine running and fully seating the stick into the tube, yes?
Have you checked to ensure you have the correct gauge (dip stick) – what model is your trans and what is the part number on your gauge?
Have you checked to ensure you have the correct gauge (dip stick) – what model is your trans and what is the part number on your gauge?
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
Do you know if the trans is an automatic from GM and not an aftermarket trans?
Any recent transmission work done?
Does the trans drive and shift with no issues?
A Turbo-Hydramatic 350 holds about 10 or 11 quarts when full; the Turbo-Hydramatic 400 holds about 12-13 quarts. If the trans was rebuilt with all fluid drained then you could be down quite a bit. A filter and pan service requires about 4-6 quarts depending on TH350 or TH400.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
Start off with what year is your Corvette and what engine?
Do you know if the trans is an automatic from GM and not an aftermarket trans?
Any recent transmission work done?
Does the trans drive and shift with no issues?
A Turbo-Hydramatic 350 holds about 10 or 11 quarts when full; the Turbo-Hydramatic 400 holds about 12-13 quarts. If the trans was rebuilt with all fluid drained then you could be down quite a bit. A filter and pan service requires about 4-6 quarts depending on TH350 or TH400.
Do you know if the trans is an automatic from GM and not an aftermarket trans?
Any recent transmission work done?
Does the trans drive and shift with no issues?
A Turbo-Hydramatic 350 holds about 10 or 11 quarts when full; the Turbo-Hydramatic 400 holds about 12-13 quarts. If the trans was rebuilt with all fluid drained then you could be down quite a bit. A filter and pan service requires about 4-6 quarts depending on TH350 or TH400.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
mine is an 82. Stock engine and believe stock tranny. Trying to find the id number, can’t find it though. The car shifts fine, until about 40-45 mph where it sometimes makes a grinding noise. Sometimes it does this, sometimes not. I checked the rear mount, looks fine but visibility is limited. I just acquired the car and previous owner is dead, so I can’t ask if any transmission work was done.
Since I assume you don't know the service history of the trans, I'd probably do a filter and fluid change. That way you can at least see inside the pan for excessively worn clutch material and start off with a known clean filter and fluid. Going this route requires about 4 to 5 quarts of new fluid. If you've never done a filter change on an automatic, it's a simple process though can be very messy.
If you don't want to go this route, I'd be pouring in ATF until it does read "full". Keep in mind that the fluid needs to be fully warmed up to determine an accurate level as fluids expand when heated. If you start with a cold trans and pour in cold fluid you will be over-filling once it's fully heated in operation. Start with a 1/2 quart and see how that goes. Drive it a couple miles and add another 1/2 qt if necessary. Repeat until it registers as it should.
No matter which option you choose, monitor the level every few tanks of gas to see that it's maintaining level and not losing it somewhere to cause your current low fluid condition.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
Just FYI, 82's came with the Turbo Hydra-matic 700-R4 which hold about 11 quarts. It is basically an upgraded TH350 with overdrive.
Since I assume you don't know the service history of the trans, I'd probably do a filter and fluid change. That way you can at least see inside the pan for excessively worn clutch material and start off with a known clean filter and fluid. Going this route requires about 4 to 5 quarts of new fluid. If you've never done a filter change on an automatic, it's a simple process though can be very messy.
If you don't want to go this route, I'd be pouring in ATF until it does read "full". Keep in mind that the fluid needs to be fully warmed up to determine an accurate level as fluids expand when heated. If you start with a cold trans and pour in cold fluid you will be over-filling once it's fully heated in operation. Start with a 1/2 quart and see how that goes. Drive it a couple miles and add another 1/2 qt if necessary. Repeat until it registers as it should.
No matter which option you choose, monitor the level every few tanks of gas to see that it's maintaining level and not losing it somewhere to cause your current low fluid condition.
Since I assume you don't know the service history of the trans, I'd probably do a filter and fluid change. That way you can at least see inside the pan for excessively worn clutch material and start off with a known clean filter and fluid. Going this route requires about 4 to 5 quarts of new fluid. If you've never done a filter change on an automatic, it's a simple process though can be very messy.
If you don't want to go this route, I'd be pouring in ATF until it does read "full". Keep in mind that the fluid needs to be fully warmed up to determine an accurate level as fluids expand when heated. If you start with a cold trans and pour in cold fluid you will be over-filling once it's fully heated in operation. Start with a 1/2 quart and see how that goes. Drive it a couple miles and add another 1/2 qt if necessary. Repeat until it registers as it should.
No matter which option you choose, monitor the level every few tanks of gas to see that it's maintaining level and not losing it somewhere to cause your current low fluid condition.
ok thank you. I might go the change fluid route. Any reason why the level doesn’t move even after I add fluid?
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
Just FYI, the reason a filter and fluid change is only 4-5 quarts but the trans capacity is 11ish is because the torque converter, trans cooler and lines hold the rest. If there are no puddles of fluid under the car below the transmission or below the radiator then it's being used by the trans and needs more.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
I'm wondering if the end of the dip stick is just getting fluid on if from somewhere in the tube so that it appears like a drop at the end. I suppose it could also be that the torque converter, kinda like a rotating doughnut inside the transmission's bellhousing which holds a majority of the trans fluid, isn't full and when you are adding fluid the transmission is sending it there. But that's a guess.
Just FYI, the reason a filter and fluid change is only 4-5 quarts but the trans capacity is 11ish is because the torque converter, trans cooler and lines hold the rest. If there are no puddles of fluid under the car below the transmission or below the radiator then it's being used by the trans and needs more.
Just FYI, the reason a filter and fluid change is only 4-5 quarts but the trans capacity is 11ish is because the torque converter, trans cooler and lines hold the rest. If there are no puddles of fluid under the car below the transmission or below the radiator then it's being used by the trans and needs more.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
Drive it for a bit and see how high it is. I'd not worry if it's something like 1/4" or less on the stick. If you feel the need to pull some out, then yes, a long plastic line and suction will do it.