Getting an accurate reading on the tranny dipstick...

[RangerX]

would it be so difficult for ford to calibrate a dipstick (rocket science) that you could measure stone cold with the engine off?
Afterall, your just measuring a fluid level

I agree, it works for engine oil. How about some of you guys who are confident in your fluid level reading, check the level when the engine is off and cold. Then report back here how high on the stick it is. Because, I am one of those "can't get a clear reading" guys. I hate automatics!

 

[davidmmm69]

I could never get a correct reading either,. sucks that they can not get it to read easy...
mine will show some on the stick then a bare spot say 1/4 inch then a few more drops.

Is there a way to tell if it has too mcuh and is overfull. besides it coming out the top of the dip stick tube.lol

 

[Hartman]

I dropped the pan, replaced the filter while I was at it, and it shifts real good now. I just need to get a aux. cooler because it will get up to 210 degrees if its over 90 outside.

 

[spindlecone]

I dropped the pan, replaced the filter while I was at it, and it shifts real good now. I just need to get a aux. cooler because it will get up to 210 degrees if its over 90 outside.

Might consider a PML oversized, finned alum pan, 210 is killer temp, I run 140/150 at 90 ambiant

 

[dman726749]

i was looking in my owners manual and it gives instructions on how to read the tranny fluid when it is cold...might want to go look at it

 

[RangerX]

Okay, I just looked at my 92's manual. It does not mention how to read with engine off. Please share.

 

[Hartman]

Might consider a PML oversized, finned alum pan, 210 is killer temp, I run 140/150 at 90 ambiant

I'm hoping an aux cooler will bring the temps down at least 10-15 degrees. If not, I will take more extreme measures. Obviously with my larger tires the tranny is going to heat up quicker.....

 

[dman726749]

Okay, I just looked at my 92's manual. It does not mention how to read with engine off. Please share.

he diagram at the top

 

[RangerX]

My manual has that, too. But it doesn't say 'with the engine off'. That section starts off with "With the vehicle on a level surface, start the engine,..."

 

[Hartman]

LOL that manual is a HUGE help.

 

[dman726749]

yes, mine says all that too, then two paragraphs down it says "When teh vehicle has not ben driven, and outside temperature is above 50 deg the fluid level should be between the holes on the dipstick"

 

[spindlecone]

Okay, the EF braintrust is working, for those that know, why read it hot and running?
Why read it cold at over 50 Degs? do's merc5 expand and contract due to temp?
somebody knows the answere

 

[RangerX]

yes, mine says all that too, then two paragraphs down it says "When teh vehicle has not ben driven, and outside temperature is above 50 deg the fluid level should be between the holes on the dipstick"

I maintain that my quote in my previous post applies. Engine running, but vehicle not driven. If you want to use that as your fluid level indicator, go for it.

Someone else, please read the level on the dipstick, on a known properly filled trans, with engine off and cool. Thank you.

 

[mechanic021]

completely drained your tranny should hold around 10 quarts of fluid. Since it wasnt shifting right after the leak you may have been low on fluid ford transmissions act stupid when low on fluid. Make sure you read both sides of the stick because if its low you can get 2 different readings one on each side of the stick. if you dropped the pan and changed the filter you normally get 4 to 5 qaurts of fluid loss. I was always told to check the fluid when its warm. drive at around the block so the fluid flows through the transmission like its supposed to then park it and check it at idle. If you check it with the engine off the fluid will be draining back into the pan giving you a wrong reading. When your transmission is pumping fluid you wont have a whole lot in the pan its all up inside your transmission.

 

[CDW6212R]

Agreed, when off the torque convertor will only be half full, and the top section of the internal parts will be dry. When running, a certain volume of fluid is above the fluid level, flowing through passages, the torque converter, etc.

Again, usually the dipstick will show a high reading, and a low reading, on the two sides. Ignore the higher reading side, that is from the dipstick contacting the side of the tube. That fluid is from wiping fluid from inside the dipstick tube.

Only concern yourself with the one side of the dipstick, which is the lower reading. Learn which way to install the dipstick so that the low reading is on the side with the cross hatch marks. Then start to wipe the dipstick, install it, and read it. If you cannot read it, then wipe it again, and read it. Do it as many times as required until you learn how to read it.

Take your time, be sure that the fluid is not cold, and not very hot. Wipe the dipstick very dry, and quickly install it in the one proper way. Pull it out and quickly read it. Good luck,

 

[Longjohn119]

Don's method worked great for me ... BTW I have to insert the stick with the writing on the handle upside down ... I've checked it on a couple of occasions since and I get the same reading everytime and am confident it's correct ...

The Explorer was easy, try reading an E250 van with it's 5 foot long stick

 

[gijoecam]

Don's method worked great for me ... BTW I have to insert the stick with the writing on the handle upside down ... I've checked it on a couple of occasions since and I get the same reading everytime and am confident it's correct ...

The Explorer was easy, try reading an E250 van with it's 5 foot long stick

Fond memories.... growing up, I was the oldest of six kids, so of course, that was the first vehicle I drove and maintained. (1989 E-150 extended van)

That dipstick was a royal pain to get back IN the tube... It was like trying to feed a noodle into a straw!

-Joe

 

[rblais]

Transmission fluid expands with increasing fluid temperature (and contracts with decreasing temperature). To read fluid level correctly when hot, drive the car for twenty or so miles to warm the fluid up to a constant running temperature. Note: fluid temp will, to some degree, depend on ambient temp Stop on level surface, put trans in park with engine running. Pull the dip stick and wipe it and reinsert. Pull dip stick and read fluid level on the "Hot" scale of the dip stick. Mine shows clearly, pink fluid against the white plastic scale bar on the stick. When cold, ambient temperature, engine off, the fluid shows in the range of the "cold" scale. I think Ford measures fluid level during hot conditions with engine running because that is the dritical condtion requiring the correct fluid level and the level will vary with varying temperatures. Know what I meam?