Transmission drain plug question. Probably a top five dumbest question ever!
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Joined: Mar 2014
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Transmission drain plug question. Probably a top five dumbest question ever!
So I recently had a shop install a radiator into my '98 automatic Corvette. When they took the lines out of the old radiator, transmission fluid leaked out. It was quite a substantial amount. They put everything back together, they pulled the vehicle out of the bay and it sat outside running for a while to see if there is any coolant leaks. They told me they were going to top off the trans fluid. I ended up talking to one of the guys there and the guy that was outside that was supposed to check the transmission fluid said everything looked good. I kind of was very sketchy because the vehicle was on the ground, I was always under the impression that you cannot reach the transmission drain plug while the vehicle is on the ground. You'd have to have it lifted to be able to physically get the socket on there. They reassured me, today I had my auto trans temperature light come on. I pulled over and got towed. I'm assuming it's low on transmission fluid. My question is, is it possible to reach the drain plug while the vehicle is on the ground. Like physically reach it. My car is in the shop so I can't see for myself. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 489
From: Denver, NC
So I recently had a shop install a radiator into my '98 automatic Corvette. When they took the lines out of the old radiator, transmission fluid leaked out. It was quite a substantial amount. They put everything back together, they pulled the vehicle out of the bay and it sat outside running for a while to see if there is any coolant leaks. They told me they were going to top off the trans fluid. I ended up talking to one of the guys there and the guy that was outside that was supposed to check the transmission fluid said everything looked good. I kind of was very sketchy because the vehicle was on the ground, I was always under the impression that you cannot reach the transmission drain plug while the vehicle is on the ground. You'd have to have it lifted to be able to physically get the socket on there. They reassured me, today I had my auto trans temperature light come on. I pulled over and got towed. I'm assuming it's low on transmission fluid. My question is, is it possible to reach the drain plug while the vehicle is on the ground. Like physically reach it. My car is in the shop so I can't see for myself. Thanks!
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Jul 31, 2021 at 10:04 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
There is a certain procedure to check or refill the A4 trans and it doesn't sound like they know what they are doing
The car must be in the air and level
1. Start the engine and allow the engine to idle until the transmission fluid temperature, as displayed on the DIC, is between 86 degrees F and 122 degrees F. (104 degrees F is EXACTLY in the middle of the recommended temperature range for checking the fluid level.)
2. Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever through the gear ranges, pausing a few seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the PARK position.
Caution: The engine must be running when the transmission fill plug is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fill plug. Do not turn the engine off with the fill plug removed, as you can be injured by hot transmission fluid being expelled out of the oil fill opening.
3. If needed, add automatic transmission fluid until the fluid starts to drain from the threaded plug hole. Be sure to replace the fill plug BEFORE turning off the engine.
The car must be in the air and level
1. Start the engine and allow the engine to idle until the transmission fluid temperature, as displayed on the DIC, is between 86 degrees F and 122 degrees F. (104 degrees F is EXACTLY in the middle of the recommended temperature range for checking the fluid level.)
2. Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever through the gear ranges, pausing a few seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the PARK position.
Caution: The engine must be running when the transmission fill plug is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fill plug. Do not turn the engine off with the fill plug removed, as you can be injured by hot transmission fluid being expelled out of the oil fill opening.
3. If needed, add automatic transmission fluid until the fluid starts to drain from the threaded plug hole. Be sure to replace the fill plug BEFORE turning off the engine.
Last edited by Smoken1; Jul 31, 2021 at 10:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
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The sad part is is these were people that I trusted and consider friends. They were too lazy to bring my car over to their pit to be able to check the fluid. They probably just assumed that I didn't lose that much and I would be okay. Within 50 mi I had a high temp trans fluid warning on the DIC. They even lied to my face and said that it came out the side, I should have known better. It's on me for not getting it checked somewhere else.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Smoken1 is correct.
Here is my transmission change/ fluid check procedure--
Changing the fluid and filter on a C5 A4 is fairly easy, but there are specific procedures to insure that the fluid level is correct after the change:
After replacing the filter and bolting the pan back up, fill with new fluid to the drain/ check level plug hole. Then start the engine and leave it running with the transmission in PARK.
Immediately add fluid through the drain/ check level plug hole until fluid flows out of the plug hole. It may take as much as another couple of quarts.
With your foot holding the brakes, cycle the transmission through all the gears, then back to PARK.
Go back underneath and make sure that fluid is still dribbling out of the fill/ check level plug hole. You might have to add some.
With the engine still running and the transmission in PARK, monitor transmission temperature on the DIC. When transmission temperature rises to 122 F, put the plug in the fill/ Check level hole. Keep a pan under the hole, fluid will dribble out as the transmission temperature rises.
Do NOT shut the engine down until the plug is in the fill/ check level hole. If you do, HOT fluid will gush out and the transmission will be low on fluid.
I recommend full synthetic fluid.
Keep in mind that the above procedure drains about half the fluid in the A4. The other half is in the torque converter and other works.
You will need a small hand pump to pump the fluid into the fill/ check level hole.
Here is my transmission change/ fluid check procedure--
Changing the fluid and filter on a C5 A4 is fairly easy, but there are specific procedures to insure that the fluid level is correct after the change:
After replacing the filter and bolting the pan back up, fill with new fluid to the drain/ check level plug hole. Then start the engine and leave it running with the transmission in PARK.
Immediately add fluid through the drain/ check level plug hole until fluid flows out of the plug hole. It may take as much as another couple of quarts.
With your foot holding the brakes, cycle the transmission through all the gears, then back to PARK.
Go back underneath and make sure that fluid is still dribbling out of the fill/ check level plug hole. You might have to add some.
With the engine still running and the transmission in PARK, monitor transmission temperature on the DIC. When transmission temperature rises to 122 F, put the plug in the fill/ Check level hole. Keep a pan under the hole, fluid will dribble out as the transmission temperature rises.
Do NOT shut the engine down until the plug is in the fill/ check level hole. If you do, HOT fluid will gush out and the transmission will be low on fluid.
I recommend full synthetic fluid.
Keep in mind that the above procedure drains about half the fluid in the A4. The other half is in the torque converter and other works.
You will need a small hand pump to pump the fluid into the fill/ check level hole.
