I have a 2001 Sunfire, Auto, 2.2 liter. I found the Transmission fluid fill port but I can't find a dipstick. Does anyone have any clue for the clueless?

Thank in advance.

mike




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Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.
-- Albert Einstein

Also, on the 2.4L (mine is a '97 cav) there is no dipstick. How can I check my fluid if I don't know? What I did was drop the pan, the I put in alittle over 4qts, but even the owner's manual for my car states (something like this) "There should be no need to check the fluid, as it is expected to last the life of the vehicle. If you need to add fluid, take it to the dealership because you have a leak." Which is BS.


Ban low-performance cars, not high-performance ones.

Sam wrote:"There should be no need to check the fluid, as it is expected to last the life of the vehicle. If you need to add fluid, take it to the dealership because you have a leak."

And how do I know if I need to add if I can not check the fluid level?!

Thanks for the response. I thought this was the case. I just wanted another opinion. Anyone else out there, feel free to chime in.


mike




-------------------------
Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.
-- Albert Einstein

Start the engine and allow the engine to idle until the transmission fluid temperature has reached the value specified. Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever through the gear ranges, pausing a few seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the PARK range. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. The vehicle must be level, with the engine running and the shift lever in the PARK range. CautionThe engine must be running when the transmission fluid fill plug is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Transmission fluid may be hot. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fill plug. Have a container ready to capture any lost fluid. Do not turn the engine off with the fill plug removed, as you can be injured by hot transmission fluid being expelled out of the oil fill opening.
Remove the transmission plug.
Important
The transmission fluid may darken with normal use and does not always indicate contamination or oxidation.
At least 40�C
Transmission fluid (At least 104�F)
Does the fluid have a burnt odor or a dark brown color?Check the fluid level. The fluid level should be even with the bottom of the threaded plug hole.Is the fluid level low?
Add DEXRON� III automatic transmission fluid in increments of 0.5L until the fluid drains from the plug hole.
Install plug before stopping engine or fluid will spill out of plug hole.

The check plug is located just inside of the right axle housing, is 11 mm hex.

I gotta Question about it sorry not to jack your post but is it bad to have too much transmission fluid?



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Judging by the helpful post by joe4, Pontiac must have though a dipstick would be too expensive. Thanks for the reply.

BlitzedJ wrote:I gotta Question about it sorry not to jack your post but is it bad to have too much transmission fluid?

Don't feel bad about jacking the post, someone should get something useful out of this. I am no expert in Pontiac transmissions, but as a general rule too much fluid in the system can cause seals to rupture so this should be avoided. Again, this situation may be different and if anyone more knowledgeable than me wants to add to this, or refute this, I would be happy to hear from them.

mike




-------------------------
Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.
-- Albert Einstein

BlitzedJ wrote:I gotta Question about it sorry not to jack your post but is it bad to have too much transmission fluid?

Yes too much fluid is bad, it gets up into the planetary gears which churns it up and aerates it. Fluid full of air can not build hydraulic pressure. It can also leak out the housing vent .

This might make it more simple -

My 2002 Cavalier with 4 sp. auto, had a ' factory fill '

of 9 quarts. This was measured by what was collected

at the first fluid change which included dropping the

fluid filter. (I believe that 9 1/2 quarts was reported

as the proper fill by a poster who also had a transmission

cooler, so the 9 quarts without cooler would be a

good base line.)

7.5 QTS will be closer, but when you pull the check plug the excess will drain out.

not to jack the post but how much will the four speed auto take for transmission oil if its on the 2.2? ive read 9, 7.5, and 2 quarts which one is it?thanks

Best that I can tell you, there was much more transmission

fluid that poured-out than expected when I disconnected

the filter.


If the amount the factory installed was measured without

counting what's held-back by the filter, there would be

differing results.


(Just another case where the owner's manual should be

improved - GM just tries to steer the owner to have the

dealer do too many routine maintenance services.)

When I changed my filter I had to add 9.5 Qts before it started to drip out the check level port.

Oid Wolf, that 9 1/2 quart sounds very possible !


Because my finding was based on the 'original fill',

the factory amount may have been a little low.


Thank you - and I'll add 9 1/2 quarts next time.


Better safe than sorry.

The Haynes manual says 4 quarts on the auto trannies. I would fill it up until it started coming out of the drain plug though, to make sure.

For those who used 9 1/2 quarts, did you add the fluid while the car was running? The manual recommends putting in 3 quarts before starting the car, then adding more until it starts to come out of the drain plug. I'm just curious as to what you guys did (I plan on changing my fluid in the next month or so).

I admit the Haynes manual makes it confusing.

9.5 Qts drained out of mine when I opened it up.

I added 10Qts after closing the tranny up and started the engine. Then I ran through all the gears while idleing before unscrewing the side plug. When I did, about half a quart drained out.

Just don't turn the engine off and then check the level. A lot of the oil must be circulating through the transmission when the engine is on because it will drain out the hole pretty fast if the engine is off.

It isn't that hard to change.

Just keep track off how much drains out and that is about what you need to put back in.

Have fun.

I put in 8 qts and 1 pt drained out , take your pick.