Transmission Fluid level issue

**i_build** · 08-06-2009, 01:08 PM

Just had another thread about a ball bearing in my pan but this is different. After doing a little reading I saw that the typical fluid replacement amount on a pan drop would be 4-5 quarts. After dropping the pan I put in 4 quarts plus 1 quart lucas. Drove around a bit and checked the level and it was high. Syphoned off about 1.5 quarts and the level was in the cross hatched area. Woke up this AM and had trouble getting into reverse. Added a quart and it shifted fine. Checked the level when I got in to work at idle and it was high again. Not sure whats going on. Any help appreciated.

**silveradotrailblazer** · 08-06-2009, 03:19 PM

Each time you check your fluid is it at or about the same conditions? The fluid may be colder or hotter each time you check. Hope I explained this correctly. My tranny stick has a hot and cold marks.

**Crawdaddy** · 08-06-2009, 03:33 PM

You are supposed to check your fluid level with the transmission warm, with the engine idling, and in park. You can drive it around the block or 2 to warm the fluid up, you just obviously can't be moving while checking the fluid.

When the fluid cools down and/or when the engine is not running, the fluid drains down into the pan, causing a false high reading on the dipstick. Then of course, if the stick is reading fine when cool and off, it will be mega-low once the engine is running and the transmission warms up.

**Jimmiee** · 08-06-2009, 04:07 PM

Many automatic transmissions will give false readings because of a minor leak in the valve body or pump which produces a spray or mist. This spray can splash on to the stick and show a false high reading. If you are not sure of your reading try this. Get the transmission HOT. Let it idle in park or neutral if it's a Mopar. Pull the stick out and wipe it off. Have someone turn off the engine and immediately check the oil. This will give you a true reading.

**pmf608** · 08-06-2009, 06:59 PM

I have the same problem, but whether my truck is on or off, warm or cold, it reads high. This is after I changed the transmission fluid myself - it was the first time it was changed in roughly 270,000 km. When I filled it, I couldn't tell the level when i was putting it in (fluid coating the tube gives false readings) and i ended up filling over the cross-hatched full area. fired it up, got it running, and all was good (after i pulled it again and replaced the gasket due to leak when initially filling). When i syphoned it out to get it back in the correct reading, the fluid was so low, i could put it in any gear and it wouldnt move. so, filled it back up (prob. about 3/4 inch above the full mark now) and everything works fine. i honestly dont know what the deal with this situation is.

I have since put about 5-6000 km on and had no problems other than the occasion surge on the 1-2 shift. When it happens, it shifts early and feels like it is dropping from 2-1-2, as it is two jolts within a time of less than 1 second.

**i_build** · 08-06-2009, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmiee

Many automatic transmissions will give false readings because of a minor leak in the valve body or pump which produces a spray or mist. This spray can splash on to the stick and show a false high reading. If you are not sure of your reading try this. Get the transmission HOT. Let it idle in park or neutral if it's a Mopar. Pull the stick out and wipe it off. Have someone turn off the engine and immediately check the oil. This will give you a true reading.

Jimmie you are dead on because the other thing I noticed is that it appears as if there is a spray issue because the fluid looks as if it has been sprayed a bit frothy. I will check. Driving 600 miles tomorow.