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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Auto box fluid level
        
(Message started by: Zombie on Nov 24^th, 2006, 8:35am)

Title: Auto box fluid level
Post by Zombie on Nov 24^th, 2006, 8:35am

I am very confused about how to check my auto box fluid level.

I have a 2.9 12v 1996

When the car is not running and warmed up, the fluid level is dead on Max.

when I do as sugegsted in other threads and check the fluid with the engine running, and after selecting all the gears twice, the dipstick is dry.

The box does nto select drive when stone cold, so I suspect a low fluid level, but I also don't want to put too much fluid in.

Can someone put my mind at rest. This is doing my head in.

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by Snoopy on Nov 24^th, 2006, 8:47am

Right the CORRECT method...

Run the engine and get all the fluids up to optimum temperature, best scenario is after a good run.
park on level ground and then select the gears two or three times . put the gear selctor into " P" and with the engine still running pull out the gearbox dipstick and check the level .... if you need to add oil do it through the dip stick tube. ATF is quite thin and will easily flow down the tube.
One thing though if it requires ATF the reason for the loss should be investigated as it is a sealed system and should NOT require fluid . The first place to check is the oil cooler pipes (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/coolerpipes.htm) under the radiator .

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by Zombie on Nov 24^th, 2006, 9:19am

Thanks Snoopy.

Mine doesn't have a tranny cooler.

I suspect that the monkeys at my local Ford dealer did not know how to fill it up properly and it has been low since they did the job. If it looks full with the engine not running, they may have made the same mistake as me.

The cretins.

I paid them £200 too.. I'm a cretin!

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by mr._floppy on Nov 24^th, 2006, 10:29am

Are you sure it doesn't have a ATF cooler matrix ?

Under the main radiator below the front bumper ?

BTW, Snoopy's advice is spot on but when checking ATF level, before taking a level reading, remove dipstick, wipe it with kitchen roll or similar then replace it and take a reading.

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by Zombie on Nov 24^th, 2006, 10:31am

I thought the older one did not have a cooler.

I'll take a look

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by Zombie on Nov 24^th, 2006, 10:41am

Yes, it as one.

No signs of any leaks though

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by Zombie on Nov 27^th, 2006, 7:20pm

Checked fluid level, Was not getting the dipstick wet!

Put some tranny fluid in and the box has not slipped, failed to engage since.

Avoid Ford main dealers in my area! They can't even check a gearbox fluid level correctly. >:(

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by TiberiuS on Nov 27^th, 2006, 7:51pm

It's not that they can't, they don't want to bother ;)

Keep an eye on it to check it isn't losing, some new piping is far cheaper than a new box if it runs dry :)

As I've said elsewhere, it happened twice to me on the Capri, box ran completely dry and lost drive, both times at a busy roundabout; in the end was traced to bodged plastic piping melting when the fluid got hot. How that box survived I don't know.

Regards, Bruce.

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by Zombie on Nov 27^th, 2006, 8:40pm

I'll keep a bottle of tranny fluid in my boot.

Thanks for the advice.

I can now worry about something else to do with the beast.

Title: Re: Auto box fluid level
Post by harry.m1byt on Nov 27^th, 2006, 9:57pm

on 11/24/06 at 10:31:01, Zombie wrote:

I thought the older one did not have a cooler.

I'll take a look

Mine (see details below) is fitted with a cooler.