Inaccurate trans fluid reading?

[Theodoremartinez]

I know I have a small leak in my tranny which is causing a hard shift. How can I insure an accurate trans fluid reading? I know to drive about 12 miles to warm up the tranny have it on level ground and in Park at idle, but when I check the dipstick there’s not a definite line so I can’t tell how much fluid I need to put in! It’s like the fluid is on the dipstick but it looks like it’s everywhere after wiping off the dipstick! Any help is appreciated!!

 

[410Fortune]

This can be a real pain, it is almost an artform to get an accurate reading
Especially after you just added fluid through the dipstick

first start off with clean dipstick, the white tipped ones I like to clean the white plastic bit with brake clean first
You are doing it right, on level ground warm in park

Now when you insert the stick DO NOT LET IT ROTATE on the way down, hold it in one position
Do it quickly, insert and then pull straight out, do not let it spin
You should have lots of light so you can clearly see
One one side you may have incorrect fluid level reading due to the stick picking up fluid on the way in and out
But on the other side (backside) you should be able to see the line, this is the actual fluid level.
Do this several times to make sure you are reading the correct spot

 

[C420sailor]

If you add, sometimes it’s just best to wait a few hours to let everything settle before trying to read it.

 

[Theodoremartinez]

This can be a real pain, it is almost an artform to get an accurate reading
Especially after you just added fluid through the dipstick

first start off with clean dipstick, the white tipped ones I like to clean the white plastic bit with brake clean first
You are doing it right, on level ground warm in park

Now when you insert the stick DO NOT LET IT ROTATE on the way down, hold it in one position
Do it quickly, insert and then pull straight out, do not let it spin
You should have lots of light so you can clearly see
One one side you may have incorrect fluid level reading due to the stick picking up fluid on the way in and out
But on the other side (backside) you should be able to see the line, this is the actual fluid level.
Do this several times to make sure you are reading the correct spot

Does it matter what side of the stick I have facing me? How long do I let her run before she’s warm enough?

 

[410Fortune]

operating temp = thermostat opens and temp gauge is reading in the middle or just to the left of middle of "normal" range
No it does not matter which way the stick points, what matters is that you do not let it rotate

 

[Theodoremartinez]

operating temp = thermostat opens and temp gauge is reading in the middle or just to the left of middle of "normal" range
No it does not matter which way the stick points, what matters is that you do not let it rotate

Awesome!! Thanks a bunch!!

 

[CDW6212R]

Most Fords will be hard to read the trans dipstick. Basically it will be legible fairly well on one side, but not the other. Wipe it off firmly each time before you put it back in.

The trick is to put the dipstick in while holding it one way all the way down and back out, check for the fluid level on both sides, and figure out which side reads well. So notice how you hold it as you insert it, do it a few times to figure out which side reads best, and put it in so the side with the hatch marks are the side that it reads well on.

Once you figure out which way to hold it while putting it in, then it should be easy to read the level near the cross hatch marks.

 

[allmyEXes]

What happens if it is too full? If it is coming out of the overflow tube, is it way too full?

 

[410Fortune]

if it pukes out of the vent or overflow tube usually it is way overfull OR the trans is hot and building too much pressure inside the case