6 Speed Transmission Fluid Level Check

[CROW]

Dumb question, but need some reassurance here since I do not have the service manuals. Where is the filler hole on the 6 speed transmission? Was told it was on the drivers's side of the transmission and you needed a 17mm allen wrench to get the plug out. Well, I took the 17mm plug out and got at least a pint of fluid all over the garage floor. This hole is only about a third of the way up from the bottom of the transmission and almost appears to be too low to hold much fluid. Owners Manual says the fluid level should be within 1/4" of the bottom of the filler hole. So, if there was that much excess it makes one wonder if I am checking at the correct location. There is another plug high up on the rear section of the transmission, but it would be tough to add fluid there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Yeah - I wanna check mine as well - was looking at the plug you describe (I think... ), and I sure don't have an allen wrench THAT big!



Guess I'll have to pick one up so I can check mine - I did check the differential, and found it took a full pint of lube to fill it to the bottom of the plug hole...



Sure don't wanna be running around with those expen$ive dudes low on lube...

 

[Whitmore]

Tom

I think you were checking the level in the correct place, the transmission fluid level should only be about 1/3 up from the bottom.



Also the drain plug or drain bolt is the lowest bolt on the pto cover.



cheers, Kevin

 

[Badunit]

Service manual show the fill plug to be pretty low. Judging by the illustration it's about even with the second highest bolts on the PTO cover.

 

[ReevesRacing]

I took my fill plug out of my transmission yesterday. I didn't think I had a 17mm allen wrench so I used a 10mm bolt and 10mm nut that had a 17mm head. Tightened the nut up against the bolt head and stuck it in the fill plug... . backed it all out with a 17mm wrench



Later on though, as I started thinking about it, I knew I had some big ole allen wrenches from when my sister had a 74 VW SuperBeetle. And there it was, a brand new 17mm hex socket that goes on a 3/8" ratchet!! Woohoo!



Anyway, my transmission seemed to be filled just about right. It was about 1/4" below the fill hole. I went ahead and drained the transmission by removing the bottom PTO cover bolt, then I installed Geno's Garage PTO transmission filter kit. Filled the transmission back up with Mopar MTL ($10. 56 a quart and you have to buy 5!) and drove on!



I caught the old oil in a brand new inspection pan so I could see what it looked like... ... . BRASS, BRASS, BRASS!!! A lot of it! I sure hope I haven't hurt it none... I have noticed it being tough to get in reverse!!!



James Reeves

 

[krabman]

Its pretty standard to see a fair bit of brass, specially on the first dump. Mine is slowly getting easeir to put in reverse but its still not snicking in by any means. When I first got the truck I was thinking of carrying a cheater bar with me to help get that sucker in reverse. Oh, I got that plug open by sticking a bolt head in it and putting a little pipe wrench on the threaded portion. Didnt have any nuts laying around to double nut it and too late to go to the store.

 

[Dean Upson]

Later on though, as I started thinking about it, I knew I had some big ole allen wrenches from when my sister had a 74 VW SuperBeetle. And there it was, a brand new 17mm hex socket that goes on a 3/8" ratchet!! Woohoo!



James,



You rang a bell with the VW reference. My wife had VW's for years, the last one was a '79 Rabbit. I went out to my toolbox and found a 17mm allen wrench in a plastic case. I think if was for oil changes in the Rabbit. It has a Craftsman part number: 9 46666. Thanks for the information Oo. .



Dean

 

[stick]

Mine was overfilled also. It must not be the same guy filling the transmission that fills the differentials!



Stick