Transmission Fluid

[Deutscher]

Hi all,
Noob question here... but I've never changed/filled my transmission fluid... nor checked it . I was looking over my car the other day and pulled out the transmission rod (car off).. checked it and it was way over the "hot" part... my car has been leaking transmission fluid for some time now... I had gathered that some douche overfilled it... after having some concerns about overfilling = really bad... I wanted to check the transmission properly.

I drove the car until it was warmed up (mid way on temp gauge) and checked the transmission and it was like not even on the rod!!

Is it normal to have such a high reading when car off? (I was thinking because the gears haven't changed and it's cold).

Now I think because of the leaking transmission fluid .... I think the seals have gone on it. Because after running the car to 50% temp gauge and barely having a reading on the dipstick.. something is seriously wrong.

Anyone know what it would cost to get the seals fixed on the transmission??

It's a 96 VS S2 Calais, V6, 215,xxxK, if that helps.

[FstStig]

Hey Mate,

To check it properly you to need to turn your car on (Make sure your hand brake is on) knock it into drive and then check it from there. This should be done just after you have taken it for like a 10 - 20min drive to get everything warmed up. If you still suspect it is leaking, get under neath and check the cooling lines going from the radiator to the gear box on both ends. Make sure they are tight. You will have to jack the car up and get underneath to check the lines at the gearbox.

Cheers

Mumbo

[Deutscher]

Hey Mate,

To check it properly you to need to turn your car on (Make sure your hand brake is on) knock it into drive and then check it from there. This should be done just after you have taken it for like a 10 - 20min drive to get everything warmed up. If you still suspect it is leaking, get under neath and check the cooling lines going from the radiator to the gear box on both ends. Make sure they are tight. You will have to jack the car up and get underneath to check the lines at the gearbox.

Cheers

Mumbo

Just to double check ... Have handbrake up and in drive? isn't that bad?

[vn calais manual]

no. u will not be moving. thats the correct way to check. needs to be hot though. hence the hot mark on the dipstick.

[FstStig]

Yes make sure u have the handbrake up and put it in drive. Otherwise you might find yourself under the car if on a slight slope lol.

[calais_cruzin]

make sure ur handbreak works too, alot of older commo's dont have workin handbreaks.

I usually put a rock under the tyre jst to make sure i aint gettin run down.

[Deutscher]

make sure ur handbreak works too, alot of older commo's dont have workin handbreaks.

I usually put a rock under the tyre jst to make sure i aint gettin run down.

That's sum handy advice there! When I was in a rush once, I forgot my handbreak was still half on Don't think my handbreak works too well.

But I meant earlier about just checking the dipstick, not getting underneath the car. On my lunch break I had a look at my manual... says drive 20km's (too warm up everything) and then check the dipstick on a flat surface. I didn't have much of a reading ... so I went and brought some fluid. Poured it in (while engine was running)... checked the dipstick ... only problem was .... as I pull the dipstick out, I have fluid all the way up the dipstick I only poured like 500mls in ... I'll drive home and have another test then ... once all the fluid runs down the tube

What happens if I don't put it in drive? I checked it while it was in park. Will it add fluid or lessen the actual fluid? I just don't want to put too much in ya know.

[FstStig]

Add the Fluid with the car OFF check it with the car ON lol.

[crazy.vr]

Wipe the dipstick first then put it in and take it out for a accurate reading.

[vn calais manual]

give it time to settle down and in. otherwise add it with engine off, check it in drive.

[Deutscher]

Soooo confused.

Pour Fluid in when on.
Check when car off but still in "Drive"

Never knew transmission fluid is that confusing!! or I'm just retarded.

Crazy.Vr - I do wipe the dipstick first ... but as I pull it out the second time ... it runs on the edge of the tube smearing the fluid up the dipstick.

[Deutscher]

give it time to settle down and in. otherwise add it with engine off, check it in drive.

I'll have to check it again when I get home. I was rushed for time when I was checking on my lunch break. So ye it wasn't settled and didn't give me a good reading at all.

[vn calais manual]

Soooo confused.

Pour Fluid in when on.
Check when car off (how does tat change it?)

or

I supposed to have car on, in "drive" with handbreak applied, test and fill?

Never knew transmission fluid is that confusing!! or I'm just retarded.

Crazy.Vr - I do wipe the dipstick first ... but as I pull it out the second time ... it runs on the edge of the tube smearing the fluid up the dipstick.

Add the Fluid with the car OFF check it with the car ON lol.

get the car warm.. stop car put on handbrake, put car in drive. make sure car isnt going anywhere, check the oil level, switch car off, add a small amount of oil, start the car wait a minute and re-check, repeat until oil is at correct level.

[FstStig]

Thank you VN Calais lol. Some people just need about 3 other people to explain it lol. No offence to the author of this post.

[Deutscher]

Thank you VN Calais lol. Some people just need about 3 other people to explain it lol. No offence to the author of this post.

ayyyyyye Im not that retarded
Im a tryna learn how to fix my car cheaply. I'm DEFINATELY no mechanic.
Had to ask a couple of times before I do something stupid .... because car in "Drive" and me out of car ... normally doesn't sound clever

Sorry everbody for the noob question and replies. It's been a long day.

[FstStig]

because car in "Drive" and me out of car

HAHAHHAHAHAHA That's why i said to put the Hand Brake on :P But as you mentioned it doesn't really work, so do what calais_cruzin said and put some rocks or brickers behind your back wheels. I myself am still learning mate and in no way a qualified mechanic. Good to see you are wanting to learn though

Good luck with it all and keep us updated

Mumbo

[vn calais manual]

get sum1 to sit in the car with foot on the brake if u trust them, and or block the wheels.

[Chris E]

I swear the dipstick says to check the fluid with engine running gearbox in park?

[willsvs]

ok guys im a trans machanic you can eighter do what they have said have the car in drive and the handbrake on or just check it in nuetrel with the engine running u will still get an accurate enough reading, good luck mate

[FstStig]

I swear the dipstick says to check the fluid with engine running gearbox in park?

No you can't. I didn't think you could do it in Neutral. You need it Drive or Neutral as Neutral idles slightly different then Park so therefore pushing the fluid through everything.

[delcowizzid]

as long as the engines running and its been through the gears to send fluid all round the box and filled the cooler its all good. the pump is pumping out the sump as long as the engine is running so keeps the level down.

[VR38]

After a drive and resting on level ground, engine idling at running temp and in park, works every time for me and most trans shops around aust.

[Sgt Santa Cruz]

yup i always have the car running and transmission in park ive never heard of having to have a commy in drive to check it. it seems silly and dangerous (i know even with everything secure) just doesnt sound right

[Deutscher]

ok guys im a trans machanic you can eighter do what they have said have the car in drive and the handbrake on or just check it in nuetrel with the engine running u will still get an accurate enough reading, good luck mate

Hi Willsvs,
I just drove my car to warm, put gear in neutral and checked it... and some more fluid and now sits between | hot | section. So all is good. Now I just gotta find out if my transmission is leaking... I have a feeling it is... ages ago I had a big transmission fluid puddle (I always thought it was overfilled and thats the excess ... apparently not ), I'll have another look where I park to see if theres any fluid.

If there is... would you know much it would cost me to get my seals fixed? Estimate is good enough. I just wouldn't have a clue.

[holdenrocks]

your tranny will be leaking when its hotter (should be little smoking), the seal will be gone and got bands slippery. its happen to me lots. got rebuilt the tranny, after the rebuilt the tranny.. thats will be all perfect, no leaking. as required need bigger tranny cooler as will much improve the heat in trannsmission...