Does your autotrans have enough fluid?

[Fish]

Mine didn't for about 30,000 miles of hard towing in Canada and New England a year ago. I couldn't understand why I was getting 250 degree trans oil temps while climbing hills summer two years ago. I have a 98 Ram 2500 cummings diesel towing a very light 27' Prowler weighing only 7500 lbs. I was checking the trans fluid religiously each morning and the dipstick showed fluid levels well into the safe area. However, the fluid looked peculiar at times and had bubbles in it. Quite often, I had to add a little fluid to get it back into the correct range. Finally after a couple of months of this, I began to wonder if something might be wrong. Duh, when all else fails, read the directions, right? I dusted off my trusty owner's manual and finally figured out where the appropriate instructions were, and read "To check trans fluid levels start the engine, shift into DRIVE, then into REVERSE and then check the fluid level in NEUTRAL!!! I had been checking it in PARK!!! Not only that, my truck service people didn't know how to check it either!!! They were giving it back to me at least two quarts low! Assuming they knew what they were doing, I hooked up and got on down the road. The first time I checked it correctly up in Canada, I added over three quarts, and then the next morning put most of another quart in. It's no wonder the trans was overheating.

Last week I had the trans oil changed. we were leaving the next day for a week on the road. I checked the fluid before departure and found it off the dipstick. When they checked it at the shop it looked fine to them (they were doing it wrong too). When I had them shift the trans into D and R then dipped it in neutral, and showed them the result, it blew their minds! They put in two quarts and then the next morning I put in another quart!

Hey guys & gals, if you are checking your trans fluid in Park and also towing, then your trany is in trouble! At 94,000 miles, I bought a soft rebuild for $1200. I don't know if they use the same trany for gas engines as diesels, but I assume they do (I hate that word). All this critical info is in small print in the the service section. Read it and weep!!

 

[illflem]

When all else fails read the directions.



The way I do it is to measure how much comes out in a transmission service then add back just a little more to compensate for the fuild that clings to the used filter, drain pan etc. Saves the hassle of adding fluid three or four times.



The dipsticks on some models are a little too long and need to be pushed all the way in for a correct reading. You can tell if you have this problem when you find the dipstick partially out after driving when you know you pushed it down all the way beforehand. This can be fixed by cutting a quarter inch off the dipstick.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Some of us real fanatics check it in Drive. In Drive there is nothing spinning (as long as you are standing still) and you get your most accurate reading. For safety have another person standing on the brakes or put the bumper against a tree. This transmission is easy to underfill. That's what causes many of the problems associated with "drainback" where it doesn't move until you sit for several seconds in the morning. In many cases you are just low on fluid.

 

[Fish]

Thanks illflem and Dieselnerd,

I'll try those procedures next time. My original post was to other people like me who are not mechanically inclined (too much grease to wade through)and not familiar with Diesel trucks, who mostly leave it to the experts(?) to find all the gremlins in there. I've read a lot about trany problems in this truck. It would be a shame to put the trany at risk because of something as simple as a correct fluid level check.

 

[BigYellowIron]

Dieselnerd is right



Read my post in the 2n generation ram forum about an anoying transmission problem.



Adam

 

[jodog]

Hey,FISH you saved me some embarrassment. I was 2quarts low!!!!!

THANKS JODOG



Does anybody know the difference between dextron II an dextron III with mercon?

 

[Pit Bull]

One other item, you should drive it for at least 20 minutes to warm up the fluid, before checking it. Also bubbles are not a problem. Also it does not harm a transmission to over fill with fluid. If I were you I would also write a letter to the dealer naming the people and sending a copy of the work order for the fluid change. I would tell them that if you have any transmission problems down the road they will be resposible for fixing your transmission. I would send this letter certified mail. After you get your reciept copy back I would call the owner or GM of the dealership and discuss this issue with him. Just good insurance if you ever have a problem.

 

[illflem]

I beg to differ on overfilling. It's always been my understanding, from several reliable sources including the Dodge service manual, that overfilling can do more damage than underfilling. When overfilled the gears churn the fluid into foam, aerating the fluid. This will cause overheating, oxidation and varnish buildup which interferes with valve, clutch and servo operation. It can also puke fluid out the fill tube when fully warmed up. Just right is the best.