Transmission Oil Level Indicator.

[trucku]

Since the 5r55w transmission has no dipstick, I have been wanting way to check my level without having to unscrew the drain/fill plug.

I found the following Oil-Level Indicator at http://www.mcmaster.com/#4748k22/=3gpxzu

This is a Oil-Level Indicator. You can attach it to a tank to get the fluid level and temperature of the liquid inside. The one I bought has an aluminum guard and the following specs:

For outdoor applications, these indicators have a UV- and shatter-resistant nylon body and sight. They also have a built-in thermometer so you can check the level and temperature of your liquid with just one gauge. Thermometer is dual scale and reads 32° to 212° F/0° to 100° C. Thread into 1/2"-13 UNF holes or use the included nuts to mount to tanks with walls less than 3/4" thick (requires access to the inside of your tank). Temperature range is -65° to +212° F.

My plan is to mount it to the transmission pan. I may have prematurely purchased this, because it may not fit, but for $24 shipped I thought it be a good gamble. Installation would involve dropping the pan then drilling two holes for the Oil-Level Indicator. I would then have to level the pan and fill it to get mark on the Oil-Level Indicator. I would probably scribe a line right into the aluminum guard and mark that with a red sharpie marker. I am hoping it will install completely vertically. If not then I will install it diagonally and mark my full line that way. The level does have a thermometer in it, but its way to small to see if your more than a foot away.
Picture quality is crummy, because I used my phone. The length of it is just 4-3/4". The picture looks huge.

I am hoping to have it installed in a couple of weeks. Its just another addition to my line of projects for this truck, but thought I put it out for the more aggressive guys/gals out there who might want to try it right away.

 

[EasyRhino]

Ahh, a local direct reading sight glass. I'm all in, great idea. Really, although one would have to climb under the truck to see it, it would be more acccurate than a dipstick.

I'll be interested in your progress and results. Good luck and thanks for sharing.

 

[Heavymentill]

The correct way to check the fluid level

Run engine until the recommended Trans Fluid Temp is between 81-120°F. Move the gearshift lever slowly, stopping in each gear. Place gearshift lever in the Park position. Get vehicle as close to level as possible. With the transmission in the Park position and the engine running, use a 3/16" Allen key to remove the fluid level indicator plug. Allow the fluid to drain. Wait approximately one minute. When the fluid comes out as a thin stream or a drip, it is at the correct level. If no fluid comes out of the hole, fluid will need to be added.

 

[trucku]

Run engine until the recommended Trans Fluid Temp is between 81-120°F. Move the gearshift lever slowly, stopping in each gear. Place gearshift lever in the Park position. Get vehicle as close to level as possible. With the transmission in the Park position and the engine running, use a 3/16" Allen key to remove the fluid level indicator plug. Allow the fluid to drain. Wait approximately one minute. When the fluid comes out as a thin stream or a drip, it is at the correct level. If no fluid comes out of the hole, fluid will need to be added.

UMMM.....Hello have you been reading.

I know all of this already.

This thread was started to show possible options to doing that. In fact you could still install your fill tool and fill while watching the site glass and not needing to drip any fluid out. Thanks for your reply. This option would be great if you just needed to check it on the fly. Yes you still had to get under your rig, but it takes away the step off needing any tools to check the level.
Thanks for the bump.

 

[trucku]

Ahh, a local direct reading sight glass. I'm all in, great idea. Really, although one would have to climb under the truck to see it, it would be more acccurate than a dipstick.

I'll be interested in your progress and results. Good luck and thanks for sharing.

Thanks EasyRhino.

This is the forum for stuff like this.

 

[Heavymentill]

Since the 5r55w transmission has no dipstick, I have been wanting way to check my level without having to unscrew the drain/fill plug.

I found the following Oil-Level Indicator at http://www.mcmaster.com/#4748k22/=3gpxzu

This is a Oil-Level Indicator. You can attach it to a tank to get the fluid level and temperature of the liquid inside. The one I bought has an aluminum guard and the following specs:

For outdoor applications, these indicators have a UV- and shatter-resistant nylon body and sight. They also have a built-in thermometer so you can check the level and temperature of your liquid with just one gauge. Thermometer is dual scale and reads 32° to 212° F/0° to 100° C. Thread into 1/2"-13 UNF holes or use the included nuts to mount to tanks with walls less than 3/4" thick (requires access to the inside of your tank). Temperature range is -65° to +212° F.

My plan is to mount it to the transmission pan. I may have prematurely purchased this, because it may not fit, but for $24 shipped I thought it be a good gamble. Installation would involve dropping the pan then drilling two holes for the Oil-Level Indicator. I would then have to level the pan and fill it to get mark on the Oil-Level Indicator. I would probably scribe a line right into the aluminum guard and mark that with a red sharpie marker. I am hoping it will install completely vertically. If not then I will install it diagonally and mark my full line that way. The level does have a thermometer in it, but its way to small to see if your more than a foot away.
Picture quality is crummy, because I used my phone. The length of it is just 4-3/4". The picture looks huge.

I am hoping to have it installed in a couple of weeks. Its just another addition to my line of projects for this truck, but thought I put it out for the more aggressive guys/gals out there who might want to try it right away.

No where in this post does it state anything about you knowing how to do what I posted. For starters your first sentence is incorrect. You remove the level indicator plug not the whole drain plug.

 

[trucku]

No where in this post does it state anything about you knowing how to do what I posted. For starters your first sentence is incorrect. You remove the level indicator plug not the whole drain plug.

If you failed to get what I was trying to do then forget it. I was NOT asking for help on how to check the fluid level. I would have posted it as a question.

So for someone who just posted up a Oil-Level Indicator that would require the pan to be dropped and drill it out, you think they need a
"How To Lesson".

AGAIN THE IDEA IS TO REMOVE NOTHING TO CHECK THE LEVEL!

Thanks for the bump

 

[BrooklynBay]

This link has some information that you might find interesting: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118654&page=3

 

[trucku]

I remember that.

Thanks for the link.

 

[High_Order1]

Hey -

Now there's some outta the box thinking!

Questions:

1 - Will the sight glass be ok for the temp / psi expected on the hot side of the transmission's range of temperatures and pressures?

2 - If a piece of whatever comes up and hits that, will it survive? (we got a lot of road alligators in tn).

Following this idea...

If a sight glass will in fact work for this application, is there an electronic variant further in your industrial supplies catalog? What about aviation or commercial vehicles like tractor trailers?

I'm lazy, and if I could mash a "press to test" up in the cabin, I'd be for all that. Plus, it would save me a trip to the junkyard eventually to find a van dipstick to install in my ride...

Keep it up. I love stuff like this

Shawn

 

[trucku]

Thanks.

The site glass will go up to 212F. The Aluminum cover is pretty robust, but It will also be tucked up with the pan between the frame rails. I could install it in the back of the pan instead of the side, to increase its survivability.

Hmm.. going to look further then. I would be nice to just have the information viewed from the comfort of my seat...lol

Thanks Shawn.


-Vishant

 

[BrooklynBay]

The idea for an electronic indicator sounds good. NASA Tech Briefs magazine had an innovation many years ago for an electronic dipstick for an engine. A long probe with multiple sensors would get inserted into the fill tube, and relay the information to a bargraph on the dashboard. It would show a representation of the fluid level. Take a look at these links for further reading:
http://jalopnik.com/265670/complexity-creep-bmws-electronic-dipstick-causes-oil-grief
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5299456.html
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4186604.html
http://www.graham-laming.com/bd/dipstick.pdf
http://jp.automotive.com/99930/154-0811-intellistick-electronic-engine-oil-dip-stick/index.html

 

[trucku]

Nice links BrooklynBay.

I especially like http://www.graham-laming.com/bd/dipstick.pdf.


I found lots of patents last night looking for a level indicator for the transmission and engine oil.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Electronic dipstick technology has been around for many years, but for some odd reason we are still using plain dipsticks that have been used since automobiles were first invented.

 

[trucku]

Electronic dipstick technology has been around for many years, but for some odd reason we are still using plain dipsticks that have been used since automobiles were first invented.

Then Ford when ahead and took that away...lol

Alright BrooklynBay your the master at linking, what else can you find?


Is the electronic dipstick just to expensive for some whacky reason?

 

[BrooklynBay]

According to the first link, they had a problem with customers overfilling their system. Think about this. You have to wipe a normal dipstick to get an accurate reading. Oil will splash up, and stick. Maybe they should have a float like the gas tank to get an accurate reading?

 

[trucku]

According to the first link, they had a problem with customers overfilling their system. Think about this. You have to wipe a normal dipstick to get an accurate reading. Oil will splash up, and stick. Maybe they should have a float like the gas tank to get an accurate reading?

Float would be a great. I don't understand why its not implemented. Or even some kind of led system that lights up when the fluid completes a circuit for each of them mounted vertically.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The LED system is similar to the bargraph of the electronic stick. I think I have an idea. Insert a clear tube with a cork from a bottle. Place LED emitters, and detectors on the outside of the tube. The cork will float, blocking the beam or sink enabling the beam. This will go to an electronic circuit. Another method is to have a variable resistor connect to the floating cork inside of the tube to act as a sending mechanism.