Having an issue with Trans dipstick

[bigmike]

I did a cooler line flush on my truck over last weekend and added in a magnefine filter on the return line (due to mileage). While that in itself was pretty easy (see: didn't have fluid all over the place), refilling the AT has been a pain. Due to cooler line flushing, it's hard to know how much you really have flushed and I just kept flushing until the fluid looked good. I believe that was around 14 quarts total I used.

Point is, when I check the AT dipstick it always looks like I added too much fluid. I've warmed up the truck, went through all gears, and checked it again and it appears I may have added too much. I'm not sure if I should bother with opening up a line and pumping out some or will it be ok having an extra quart (I'm guessing) in the AT?

Suggestions?

 

[lexus114]

I would not leave it over filled. maybe you should just drop the pan,change the filter,then fill with the proper amount.

 

[Drew99GT]

Are you checking it at consistent temperatures? It'll be higher on the stick when the fluid is hot and up to temperature. Most manuals state that the fluid must be at operating temp to check it.

 

[bigmike]

Well.. The whole point of me doing a cooler line flush and magnefine filter was to avoid dropping the pan and laying on my back on concrete. I don't like fluid baths. I can just unhook the return line and dump a quart if having it overfilled is not a good idea. It's right next to the radiator fan - pretty easy.

I'm wondering if I can even get a good reading on the dipstick though. Always had alot of trouble with it. Any GM LS owners care to comment?

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Are you checking it at consistent temperatures? It'll be higher on the stick when the fluid is hot and up to temperature. Most manuals state that the fluid must be at operating temp to check it.


Maybe that's my problem. I'm not sure, to be honest. Usually these little things I don't have any problems with but this one is irritating for me. Of course, I usually measure out the fluid too. I guess that's why I shouldn't have done it the easy way.

 

[Rand]

i would take 2qt's out

run the car till the transmission is hot..

re-add until between full and add.. closer to add.

then check a couple days later when hot and running.

top up if necessary.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
Well.. The whole point of me doing a cooler line flush and magnefine filter was to avoid dropping the pan and laying on my back on concrete. I don't like fluid baths. I can just unhook the return line and dump a quart if having it overfilled is not a good idea. It's right next to the radiator fan - pretty easy.

I'm wondering if I can even get a good reading on the dipstick though. Always had alot of trouble with it. Any GM LS owners care to comment?



I completely understand,I`m just thinking; was the filter in their ever changed? Thats the only reason i brought it up.

 

[HTSS_TR]

You should check fluid level at operating temperature and while the engine is running with gear in neutral or in park (with E-brake on)

 

[FL-400S]

You could check online and see if someone makes a transmission pan with a built in drain plug for your car or truck. I had a Dorman pan installed on my Malibu so I can do drain and fills without dropping the pan now. However, my stupid car has no dipstick, so I have to be exceptionally careful about replacing what I took out.

For silverados
http://www.am-autoparts.com/AM/Engine-Pa...oogle_base_feed

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: bigmike
Well.. The whole point of me doing a cooler line flush and magnefine filter was to avoid dropping the pan and laying on my back on concrete. I don't like fluid baths. I can just unhook the return line and dump a quart if having it overfilled is not a good idea. It's right next to the radiator fan - pretty easy.

I'm wondering if I can even get a good reading on the dipstick though. Always had alot of trouble with it. Any GM LS owners care to comment?



I completely understand,I`m just thinking; was the filter in their ever changed? Thats the only reason i brought it up.


It has 48k miles on it and the fluid has been changed twice using Dex 6. No filter changes. Just added the magnefine at this last fluid exchange.

My local GM dealerships won't drop the pan and change the filter and I don't want the task of doing it myself. If I had known better I would have added the magnefine back when I purchased it, but I was pretty naive back then (pre-BITOG). Luckily, the Honda got one when it was spanking new.

As an update, I did take out 2 quarts last night. Been topping up after longer drives (like to work this morning). It's still strange as sometimes it will show hardly any fluid on the dipstick and other times it's almost past the hot patch. I'm wondering if its just a dummy stick and I'm the dummy.

 

[lexus114]

The only thing I`ve noticed with trans.dip sticks,is they almost alway`s show more fluid on one side.

I`m not sure whats up with that? but as others mentioned already,chek it hot,and on a level surface.

 

[Bigsyke]

Im pretty sure you made the mistake of checking the fluid right after you filled it? It will always show over filled because the ATF is still clinging to the walls of the fill tube. You should wait a few hours and then check it.

The question is, how much fluid difference is between the fill and add...1/4th qts? it almost seems