2004 Chevy TransSport diff capacity?

[odecif]

Hi! First poster here, sometime lurker.

I have a 2004 Chevy Trans Sport (Venture sold in europe) with the Versatrak AWD diff. Now, the owners manual does not state how much fluid the diff will hold/capacity, and neither does the Pontiac Montana nor Oldsmobile Silhouette (which are alla the same vehicle), but the Pontiac Aztek which also has the Versatrak-system calls for 2.1quarts/1.9L of fluid.

Now, I've drained the diff twice and refilled it twice but I cannot seem to get more than about 1.1-1.4L in.

So is the versatrak diff on the Venture smaller than the one in the Aztek or should I be able to fill it up approx 1.9L?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Boomer]

I you are concerned, do what you did, drive it for 10 miles, drain and refill it a second time. That will at least get rid of most of the used oil. Is the drain plug high enough that not all drains out? If so, you might be better using a suction gun to get the last amount of oil out.

If y put you finger in the fill hole after filling and driving it for a while, is the oil level still where you have it at the bottom of the fill hole?

 

[Astro14]

There is often a difference between capacity (how much fluid the component holds) and how much you can drain out.

Automatic transmissions, for example, have a stated capacity, which is what it takes to fill them when they’re new, and the drain and fill is about half that.

A photo of this would help.

But often, you’re not getting all the fluid out with a drain, so, the refill is going to be smaller than stated capacity.

 

[oil pan 4]

Hi! First poster here, sometime lurker.

I have a 2004 Chevy Trans Sport (Venture sold in europe) with the Versatrak AWD diff. Now, the owners manual does not state how much fluid the diff will hold/capacity, and neither does the Pontiac Montana nor Oldsmobile Silhouette (which are alla the same vehicle), but the Pontiac Aztek which also has the Versatrak-system calls for 2.1quarts/1.9L of fluid.

Now, I've drained the diff twice and refilled it twice but I cannot seem to get more than about 1.1-1.4L in.

So is the versatrak diff on the Venture smaller than the one in the Aztek or should I be able to fill it up approx 1.9L?

Thanks for any input!

I've never looked up how much oil a diff is supposed to take. I fill it to the lower edge of the fill hole and send it. That's worked for me for 25+ years.

 

[Astro14]

I've never looked up how much oil a diff is supposed to take. I fill it to the lower edge of the fill hole and send it. That's worked for me for 25+ years.

Depends on the diff - in some cases, you don’t fill to the fill hole.

Volvo angle gear for example You extract all the fluid, add the specified amount (700 ml) and it sits about 1/8”-1/4” below the fill hole.

Fill it all the way to the fill hole and it will leak and make a mess. Filled correctly, it stays dry and works well.

 

[oil pan 4]

Depends on the diff - in some cases, you don’t fill to the fill hole.

Volvo angle gear for example You extract all the fluid, add the specified amount (700 ml) and it sits about 1/8”-1/4” below the fill hole.

Fill it all the way to the fill hole and it will leak and make a mess. Filled correctly, it stays dry and works well.

Yeah that's assuming it has a fill hole.
My dodge truck run up to an inch below the fill hole and the rear end hasn't blown up yet, as it leaks slightly more than a typical dodge product. Hopefully that ends today.

 

[FowVay]

The differential used in these Versatrak systems is rather complex and not like a normal ring and pinion differential. The Versatrak system uses multi-plate clutches, a Gerotor pump and a fluid temperature sensor used to limit functionality. The reason you're draining less fluid than what is specified is because this differential design is prone to holding more residual fluid than what is common. You're not doing anything wrong if you're following standard industry practices for fluid drain and refill. Here is the refill diagram from the service manual showing the procedure for fluid replacement. USE THE OEM FLUID!

 

[factorytuned2012]

don't you fill until the fluid gets to the threads or starts to seep out the fill hole?

 

[odecif]

Wow so many answers so quickly, thanks for an awesome welcoming

Boomer: Yeah I think that is probably the best way forward. And yes, I stuck my finger in the filler hole and found that the fluid was in level with the bottom part of the hole and when I added a little it floated back out.

Astro14: Ok, so pretty much what I was hoping for.

Oil pan 4: Great, pretty much what I did

FowVay: Yes, I found that procedure as well but it didn't really address my worry about not fitting the specified amount when refilling it, but now I've learnt that it most likely shouldn't due to it being a refill and not a first fill.

Thank you all for all the provided help, you guys are awesome!