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Topic: CHECKING TRANNY FLUID LEVEL

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


CHECKING TRANNY FLUID LEVEL

Posted: 4/4/10 7:57am Message 1 of 5
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Canada
Joined: 3/9/2008
Posts: 164
Vette(s): 70 VETTE 350/300HP, AUTOMATIC, ALL STOCK EXCEPT FOR MILD CAM,LAGUNA GREY, 3:55 POSI GEARS
How  do you properly check the tranny fluid on a automatic. The manual says at running temp with car running it should be at the add mark. Is this were the level should be? 


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CHECKING TRANNY FLUID LEVEL

Posted: 4/4/10 8:16am Message 2 of 5
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
With the engine/trans at operating temp, the fluid level should be anywhere in the "cross-hatched" area of the stick, between "Add", and "Full Hot". As the fluid gets hot, it expands, so overfilling can cause minor leakage while driving, but it depends on how much overfull it is. If it is all the way at the "Full Hot" mark at operating temp, you're good to go. If it's at the "Full Hot" mark after sitting overnight, it's prolly overfull.
If, as your manual states, it should be at the "Add" mark @ operating temp, then it would actually be low on fluid.
So...easy answer, get the thing up to temp, and check that the fluid is in the crosshatched area of the stick, and you're set.



Joel Adams
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CHECKING TRANNY FLUID LEVEL

Posted: 4/4/10 12:38pm Message 3 of 5
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
What Joel says is right on !!  Also, make not of where the level is with the engine running and with the engine off.  The level wil be higher with the engine off.
Dan



CHECKING TRANNY FLUID LEVEL

Posted: 4/4/10 3:24pm Message 4 of 5
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Canada
Joined: 3/9/2008
Posts: 164
Vette(s): 70 VETTE 350/300HP, AUTOMATIC, ALL STOCK EXCEPT FOR MILD CAM,LAGUNA GREY, 3:55 POSI GEARS
Ok, I checked the level before i took it out today and it was 3/4 to the full mark between ADD and FULL. Took it out for a ride checked the level and it was hard to tell but it looked like it was half way below the add, this was checked with the car idling and on a level surface. Is this level seem right.


CHECKING TRANNY FLUID LEVEL

Posted: 4/4/10 8:08pm Message 5 of 5
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
One thing you need to do is check both sides of the dipstick. Sometimes, the fluid may show high on one side, and low on the other. Always go with the lower level.
If it is showing below the "Add" mark when hot, you should add just enough to bring it up to the crosshatched area, above the "Add" mark.



Joel Adams
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in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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