Inconsistent tranny fluid level

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

You guys are going to think I am just crazy, but when the engine is running I get a reading that's 2 inches higher than the max but once the engine is off ( still at operating temp), I barely get a reading on the dipstick at all. The honda manual says to check while the engine is hot but off, so does that mean I need to pour in more?

 

[Ferzerp]

2 feet higher? wow.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

It's normal for the level to fluctuate. Your owners manual will have some special procedure.. sometimes it's just stop in D, move to P, check when hot. Other times it's stop in D, shift to 1, 2, R, N, D then P and check.


I recommend googling the proper procedure to check it. Is it leaking fluid? What made you decide to check it in the first place.


And no shit ferz, clearly he meant 2" cut the guy a break

 

[LTC8K6]

If your post is accurate, then yes, you need to add fluid.

 

[Ferzerp]

It's normal for the level to fluctuate. Your owners manual will have some special procedure.. sometimes it's just stop in D, move to P, check when hot. Other times it's stop in D, shift to 1, 2, R, N, D then P and check.


I recommend googling the proper procedure to check it. Is it leaking fluid? What made you decide to check it in the first place.


And no shit ferz, clearly he meant 2" cut the guy a break

I was picturing an industrial sized dump truck with a 10' dipstick.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

If your post is accurate, then yes, you need to add fluid.

What about the fluid level showing 2 INCHES higher than max while engine is running?

Sorry, typo on my part. 😉

 

[Ferzerp]

If it says measure when not running, ignore any measurement you take with it running. It is a meaningless measurement.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I was picturing an industrial sized dump truck with a 10' dipstick.

:hmm: :awe:

 

[LTC8K6]

What about the fluid level showing 2 INCHES higher than max while engine is running?

Sorry, typo on my part. 😉

There's probably a pump running when the engine is running. It probably pumps fluid into the reservoir on your trans, making the level rise. Probably why you have to shut it off to check it.

In many cars, the level drops when the engine runs, and reads high with the engine off. I always assumed the reservoir in these cars was on the suction side of the pump, which is why the level drops with the pump running.

My Jeep has marks for checking cold or hot and running or off. :biggrin:

 

[Ferzerp]

My Jeep has marks for checking cold or hot and running or off. :biggrin:

My challenger has a capped dipstick tube that says "for dealer use only"

🙄


Oh, and as far as the difference in height. A lot of it is temp based. It expands quite a bit based on temperature, so the level goes up when hot. (in fact, part of the excuse for not having a dipstick on mine is that we don't have access to the fluid temp, so we can't read it properly.)

 

[T2urtle]

just follow what the book says in this case.

Should be very simple to understand. Most of the ones i've read. Start car to allow it to warm up, cycle turn all gears. PRND21 and then leave it in neutral with car on to measure. Some want car to be off. Then just go by that. On LEVEL ground!!

I've seen exactly what you said but not completely dry dipstick. Car on was way over "H" and car off was way under "L" but made a mark on the dipstick. That car wanted it car off. All others wanted car on. I think civic's want them car off and most nissans/mitsi's want car on.

As long as you know where the drain plug is, you can experiment.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Does anyone know if replacing front driveshaft and radiator will lose any more tranny fluid? If so, I might just refill after I got them replaced.

 

[T2urtle]

yes to both.

COULD is key. I've heard once you pull out an axle, trans fluid COULD leak out a bit. I haven't had more then a couple of drops with that.

Some radiators have the ATF go thru and use it as a cooler.

I dont know if your honda does it, a couple of nissans do it. I would say do the repairs and then do a drain and fill with the ATF.

 

[LTC8K6]

My challenger has a capped dipstick tube that says "for dealer use only"

🙄


Oh, and as far as the difference in height. A lot of it is temp based. It expands quite a bit based on temperature, so the level goes up when hot. (in fact, part of the excuse for not having a dipstick on mine is that we don't have access to the fluid temp, so we can't read it properly.)

That's the Mercedes NAG1 tranny.

I have the 545RFE. :biggrin: