sorry for the newbie question, but how do i ckeck to tranny fluid levels on my 04 sunfire, automatic. I have located the resevoir, but there is no dipstick in there to check, nor can i see any fluid.
Thanx
You don't need to check it leave it alone. GM says to changed the fluid every 50,000 miles, if there's no signs of leaks then your fine.
Jason, there may still be on the archives a long and detailed instruction to precisely check the
fluid level, very involved...
Related to this subject there are disagreements about how much fluid it takes to refill
the 4 speed automatic after it is drained...
If your dealer is like mine you'll be advised, "The transmission is 'sealed', it's not necessary
to check the fluid, but if you detect a leak, bring it to your dealer".
I agree that it doesn't need periodic checking....
These fine transmissions do need routine fluid changes, pull the pan and refill...
Common sense says that under normal driving conditions the fluid should have a
service interval, so I use 30,000 miles and use synthetic....
During the first change, I carefully drained the original fluid (including filter) and found the
quantity installed at the factory was 9 quarts....Maybe one quart drained from the fluid
trapped behine the filter, this was a surprise how much it was....
This transmission is like many, you cannot pour all the new fluid in without stopping about
half-way during the refill, and starting the engine in order to circulate the fluid. (Fluid will overflow
if you don't do this..)
Remember, the factory pan gasket is re-usable, probably for the life of the car....(New gaskets
are over $50 at the GM parts counter, so be careful so you can keep the old one.)
The fluid filter will also probably last the life of the car with cleaning, use something like
brake parts cleaner.....
It's a messy job, and I use flattened cardboard boxes under the car to help absorb spills
and drippage....
I've seen what my dealer does...They have a suction gun to suck out the old fluid....
I don't know whether this removes the old fluid behing the filter, but I doubt it....
thanx for the info, i doubt i will do it myself, prob just have the lube place take care of it when i need, but was curious as to how and when
Thank you
You have a 10mm screw near the front that you can check the level with.
i have been wanting to do the same being at 40,000, but how the hell do you drain the fliud out of it and get into a container with out getting the fluid all over the place when you drop the pan? if you asre just gonna drop the pan you're gonna need a large container to catch all that fliud. I wonder if you can just looses the back of the pan just enough so that it will drain?
how did you guys do it? anyone actually put a drain plug in the tranny pan? i saw something about it somewhere...
Donnie
Quote:
I wonder if you can just looses the back of the pan just enough so that it will drain?
how did you guys do it? anyone actually put a drain plug in the tranny pan? i saw something about it somewhere...
Most of the time unless nyou have a scan tool to access the TCM. I just hook up a flush machine to the trans and run 16qts through the system. DO NOT DRAIN THE SYSTEM UNLESS YOUR SURE ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF FLUID IN THE TRANS.
DiamlerChrysler Certified Technician
ASE Certified Technician
Option D Racing Member
For the owner mechanic the same oil drain pan used to change the
engine oil will work for auto transmission fluid changes....
keep loosening the transmission pan bolts, mostly loosening the rearmost
bolts so that a controlled drain flow comes out one side at the rear......
Too much loosening and you might have to re-tighten some of the bolts....
The flow can be aimed downwardi to the drain pan by working slowly by loosening
or tightening the transmission bolts...
At about 5 quarts the drain pan will begin to get full, so tighten the transmission
bolts, stop draining, and empty the drain pan...
Yes, a drain plug will greatly ease the chore....
A 3/8" tapered plug used on Briggs Stratton engines and others is an
ideal choice to install....
A piece of 2" X 2" piece of mild flat steel was wire welded to the outside of my
transmission pan and drilled and tapped for the plug...
Brazing the 2" X 2" plate is not recommended because GM has galvanized the
transmission pan, and that coating will likely cause pin holes in a gas weld and
leaks....
