850 auto trans oil level question

Post by **scot850** » 08 Sep 2016, 23:08

So I have drained and filled the trans twice now and I have to say this is the weirdest trans I have come across. When I bought the car when I pulled the dipstick it appeared to be way over filled. When I drained it for the first time and then refilled it, it needed nearly 5 litres to get it to the cold maximum mark. Ran the car and the level measures fine.

Drain and fill again after 500km and the oil looks horrid again. This time when I pour the old oil into an old oil jug with the measuring level on the side it appears to only have drained about 2.5 liters, although the oil was to the max. cold line prior to emptying.

Re-fill and it takes nearly 3 liters to fill? Check, double check and all is good. Take the car for a short run today and when cold try to check the oil level again, but there is oil on both sides of the dipstick much higher than the max cold mark?!? Clean the dipstick and re-try, and the level continues to look way over. How can that be? I am not loosing coolant, brake fluid or engine oil so what is going on? Is this why folks say to measure the oil level when hot? Why is the oil not draining down to a steady level on the cold dipstick marks like before? Is it wicking up the dipstick for some reason?

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 08 Sep 2016, 23:57

You're checking with the engine running right?

Post by **scot850** » 09 Sep 2016, 08:03

No that was the point I was trying to ask. I was checking with the trans cold, but you are correct what I meant o ask was should I check it when the engine is hot and running.

Neil.

m96ag · Post by **m96ag** » 09 Sep 2016, 08:15

scot850 wrote:No that was the point I was trying to ask. I was checking with the trans cold, but you are correct what I meant o ask was should I check it when the engine is hot and running.

Neil.

The procedure is to check with the car hot and running in park after running the transmission through all the gears pausing in each gear for at least 2 seconds then wait 2 minutes and check.

Post by **scot850** » 09 Sep 2016, 17:01

So checked with the engine running and at the 'cold' setting (cycled the trans slowly as Haynes manual states and others stated here) and let run for 3 minutes, pulled the dipstick and there was no fluid on the dipstick what so ever. Had to add about 3/4 liter to get it to maybe 1/4 of the way between max/min Cold marks. I am about to run the car on an errand and will check again on my return as it will be at least 30 minutes driving at the HOT setting.

Thanks for help.

Neil.

Post by **rspi** » 09 Sep 2016, 23:22

Post by **scot850** » 10 Sep 2016, 08:04

Thanks Robert!

I checked again last night after a good run and the level was midway on the Hot side so looks like the level is finally correct.

Neil.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 10 Sep 2016, 21:14

Check when vehicle is running, engine is up to operating temperature, in park or neutral, on level surface, and prior to any adult beverages.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Sep 2016, 23:30

When you pull the dip stick, the side to check is important too...the curve of the dipstick tube has fluid running down it, so that side that touches the curved area of the dip stick will read higher than the level really is...check the side that is not against the dip stick tube.

Post by **scot850** » 11 Sep 2016, 13:01

Good tip on the dipstick orientation issue.

Thanks,

Neil.