Auto trans fluid check to do (easy) useful guide

[BongoBongo123]

Did a search and found this...courtesy of Allans Garage in Plymouth

http://www.allansvehicleservices.co.uk/ ... +Check.pdf

Have this to do shortly, been a little while since I looked and best do it before touring begins.

[BongoBongo123]

In fact had a little while to do this right now. (spotted a bit of surface rust on some of the sections of metal under the driver seat so that was worthwhile for that alone. I will sand and POR15 that out of existence one weekend soon)

I have L and F markers on my ATF dip stick. When cold it was just above L and when warmed up after a drive (78C temp) it was slightly above F.

Not 100pct on how to make a comparison with the pdf above. But can those L and F be taken the same as cold and hot markers ?

Common sense would suggets so but if anyone else knows for sure that would be handy to know.

[Bongolia]

The tran fluid be checked when hot.Then those markers would be correct.

[mikeonb4c]

Also the old advice seems to be to put the (warmed up) gearbox in drive before measuring but no doubt you did that. Generally though, i wonder how the gearbox would lose fluid unless there was a leak? Maybe techies could advise on all this plus on damage risk if box overfilled.

[Bongolia]

Run through D & R then N or P to check with g/box warm. Always done it like that.
Why?

I have no idea!

[BongoBongo123]

I followed the instructions above and drive position is not mentioned (though I did my car last summer and I did that hot and put it in drive after cycling through the entire box as per the manual instructions). For the Bongo it is/was as mentioned in my post so assume ok. Nice clear pink colour no browning or toasty smells.

(I POR15'd the surface rust under the seat now as well, best done immediately, which I confirm as surface rust and had a bit left over so painted the rear exhaust box - grey colour so suits)

[BongoBongo123]

Thanks for responses. I can do it after a run through the gears when I am out next to be sure, pretty easy check really.

[mikeWalsall]

Must say my engine looks nice and clean in Allans pic: ..!!

Remember .. hot engine .. hand brake HARD on .. cycle through all the gears several times .. As the Dexron 3 fluid level is checked with the engine running .. leave the gear lever in 'P'...

[mikeonb4c]

Run through D & R then N or P to check with g/box warm. Always done it like that.
Why?

I have no idea!

That sounds right - my memory solenoid is playing up as usual

[mikeWalsall]

The reason the engine needs to be running and you go through all the gears a couple of times is to make sure the valve block and 'oil' ways are full of fluid .. the torque converter and fluid cooler pipes to get an accurate read on the dipstick ..

Also remember .. the torque converter holds more fluid than the sump does ..