check auto trans fluid level

[Dayvo]

Ok , just quietly , Whats the correct procedure to check the auto trans fluid level for a VX V6 ? I have read there are 2 different ways . Both say to get the trans up to operating temp . One way said to put it in park and turn of the motor and check the level on the dip stick within 10 seconds . The other way is to check the dip stick while the motor is running . Please can someone tell me which one is right .

[accentstencil]

Definitely with motor running in park.

[mummbles]

Option 1 is motor at operating temp (the manual says at least 20kms driving), in park, engine running.
Option 2 is for really low fluid levels. From cold start car and go thru each gear. After car has been running for 3 minutes check as per Option 1.

[Dayvo]

OK thanks guys

[edals]

Just to hijack here a little, How often should the trans be serviced, every 80,000km? iv done 50k and its still nice and red & clean

[VYMAD]

Well, Edals, I was told every 20,000 by one bloke, but I've since found out that 40,000 is fine. Unless the fluid is a darker colour (not nice and red) and/or has a burnt smell to it. I hear the Fords are sealed and can't be changed WTF? How could that be good? And how could they clean the metal "shavings" out like we can on the little magnet? ..........FORD...................................
Anyway I wouldn't let it go over 40,000 mate. Cheers.

[edals]

Cheers Mate, Just have not had the cash to pay someone to do it, i really think im going to have to do it my self but its a transmission, i really dont want to touch it cause there so sensitive. Anything else todo with the car i do my self not worried one bit lol

[VYMAD]

They are very easy, Edals, you need to buy the correct tranny service kit, which will contain a strainer and a cork gasket. Make sure you get the right one, mine has the option of being a long or short strainer, I've always been lucky and jagged the correct one, but don't think I wrote down which one it is for mine, DOH! Anyway undo the bolts on the tranny sump, drop the back down first with a container to catch most of the fluid that will run out, as these don't have a sump plug, DOH! again. remove the sump and try to keep it upright as you lower it to the ground. Gently pull the filter off, (straight down) and discard.
Get rid of the old fluid in the sump and find the little magnet therein. Remove this magnet and clean it up. I wipe the sump and magnet with a very clean rag and then wash the whole lot out with water, let it dry completely. There is a retaining ring for where the filter attaches which will come with your service kit, discard this as I have never changed it once. REMEMBER TO BE EXTREMELY CLEAN WITH THE WHOLE SERVICE PROCESS! Do the job over clean concrete as you don't want dust or grit anywhere near the open tranny! Instal the new strainer reverse of removal and push up nice and tight.
Wipe the bottom of the transmission clean with a CLEAN rag, fit the gasket to the sump and lift into place. Start putting the bolts back in, and once all are in go around gently tightening them, go over and over like tightening wheel nuts. There is a torque spec for this which I can find for you if you want. Make sure the gasket hasn't squashed out the side. Once done, check your book for how many litres it holds and slowly fill, checking the level all the time. (Dexron 3) Fill till nearly full and start the car, run it through all the gears until fluid has circulated. Check again, get to just under full, by about 5-10 mm. go for a twenty minute drive, park on flat ground with the system still hot, engine idling in park and check level, add as neccessary.

[Dayvo]

Cheers Mate, Just have not had the cash to pay someone to do it, i really think im going to have to do it my self but its a transmission, i really dont want to touch it cause there so sensitive. Anything else todo with the car i do my self not worried one bit lol

The VX has the deep pan , The filter supplied with the kit for the deep pan is black . I done mine last week and is pretty straight forward ,as stated the key thing is keeping the dirt and dust out . I spread a blue poly tarp out under the car and put a brick in each corner. The oil in my trans looked ok on the dip stick but when i took the pan off it looked brown . The last time mine was done was about 50 thousand kays ago .
There is a "how to " on here somewhere about servicing the trans

[Dayvo]

Had a look at my dipstick . It has the instructions stamped on it on how to check the fluid level.