Tranny Fluid Level

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:01 pm

O.K. , I remember a thread where people more experienced than I discussed propper tranny fluid measurement and levels VS the methods in the owner's manual. Brain is old, body older. Just checked a fairly hot engine by the book and the tranny fluid is below the "Hot" range (dots) but well above the "Cold" dot ranges.

Did I recall someone saying that the hot range is too high and that my tranny fluid is probably right where it should be?

Thanks in advance.

MOSFET · **Joined:** Sat Feb 25, 2006 11:40 pm **Posts:** 295

As I recall from the SM, check hot at 180 degrees. 2 seconds in reverse, 2 seconds in drive, then put it in park. Check while engine is running. It should be between the two holes for hot.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:11 pm

If it is below the bottom hot hole you are 2 quarts or more low depending on how far below the bottom hot hole the fluid is if I remember correctly. You get about 1/4 to 1/2 inch bellow the bottom hot hole and the tranny will start bucking when stopping and have a long delay before engaging when cold. Do not use the cold marks at all, they are not correct for this tranny.

The SM is not correct on anything hardly to do with this tranny. They even say 4 quarts when changing fluid and filters, but it takes 9 or 10 quarts.

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:34 am

oldnavy wrote:

If it is below the bottom hot hole you are 2 quarts or more low depending on how far below the bottom hot hole the fluid is if I remember correctly. You get about 1/4 to 1/2 inch bellow the bottom hot hole and the tranny will start bucking when stopping and have a long delay before engaging when cold. Do not use the cold marks at all, they are not correct for this tranny.

The SM is not correct on anything hardly to do with this tranny. They even say 4 quarts when changing fluid and filters, but it takes 9 or 10 quarts.

Thanks,oldnavy! I remembered that there was something with the dipstick that was wrong. Now, where did that fluid go to? It is down at least a 1/4 inch below the low hot hole, and 2 quarts+ is a LOT of tranny fluid.

Dang,better go buy some.

danoid · **Posted:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:04 pm

What is the condition of the fluid? Brown is OK, black and smelling like rotten fish is not. Red is OK, bright pink is not.

A large sheet of brown paper left overnight under the car can help find leaks also. Oil will turn the paper translucent, water will just get it wet.

If that fails, there is an ultraviolet flourescent dye available... I use http://www.brightsol.com/ B715006 Stay-Brite 4-In-1 and a really powerful black light. Look under the car with the black light first, to see what glows (road salt etc.), then put in the dye, drive it for a few miles, then look again. Anything that glows bright green came from where you put the dye in.

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:07 pm

danoid:

Thanks for the tip! It was red-brown, I'm not too worried

After I fill it up MYSELF I'll monitor the level. I took it on faith that the last few service checks (most recent 3k ago, diff fluid was changed) that I had the fluids topped off. However, faith in your god and faith in your mechanic are two seperate things. I'll monitor it for a 2k and see what happens, if there is more loss, I'll get the glow-stuff. Cool!

oldnavy · **Posted:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:27 pm

BiodieselJeep.com wrote:

danoid:

Thanks for the tip! It was red-brown, I'm not too worried

After I fill it up MYSELF I'll monitor the level. I took it on faith that the last few service checks (most recent 3k ago, diff fluid was changed) that I had the fluids topped off. However, faith in your god and faith in your mechanic are two seperate things. I'll monitor it for a 2k and see what happens, if there is more loss, I'll get the glow-stuff. Cool!

There was a service note out about some '05's and may have included some early '06 models that were shipped with not enough transmission fluid, my July build CRD was one. It was sent out about 2 1/2 qts low. Only problem is I didn't discover it till I had put about 1000 miles or maybe more on the tranny.

danoid · **Posted:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:51 pm

You know the one about the cobbler's kids who don't have shoes? I've never checked my transmission fluid.

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:32 pm

So I put a quart in...and it is to much? I stupidly didn't measure it AGAIN before pouring it in...but I was SOOO careful before...

Turns out that I was wrong the first time, on a slant or something. Spent some time sucking fluid out a plastic hose for punishment. Really only needed a pint or less.

I'll measure it again tommorrow after a long drive.

kccrd · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:35 pm **Posts:** 267

Has any body changed both of the transmission filters and how much fluid did it take to fill it back up to full I think it should take 5 quarts according to my Jeep parts guy

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:12 pm

kccrd wrote:

Has any body changed both of the transmission filters and how much fluid did it take to fill it back up to full I think it should take 5 quarts according to my Jeep parts guy

The service manual apparently says 5 but it is closer to 14.

StarDreamer.us · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:15 pm **Posts:** 63

Had the recall done on the TC. The tech shorted the transmission by 2 qts. FYI, please check before you drive any distance.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:25 pm

kccrd wrote:

Has any body changed both of the transmission filters and how much fluid did it take to fill it back up to full I think it should take 5 quarts according to my Jeep parts guy

Closer to 10 qts, had it done twice.

Tranny Fluid Level

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