Urgent advice please - checking ATF on P38a

[Wilbur]

Greetings All,

Hope some one can give me some quick advice please. How do I check the automatic transmission fluid level on a 2001 P38A?

It 'declined' to move a day or so back when parked nose-down and put in gear, but after a few 'reverse-forward-reverse' cycles came good, has gone fine since.

I head off on 1,000k trip to civilisation later this week, but am afraid I could be in trouble if the fluid IS low.

I can't see a dipstick or a level plug anywhere. The front of the bellhousing is very slightly oil-damp.

Any advice or other suggestions very gratefully received.

Thanks,

Paul

[dullbird]

Greetings All,

Hope some one can give me some quick advice please. How do I check the automatic transmission fluid level on a 2001 P38A?

It 'declined' to move a day or so back when parked nose-down and put in gear, but after a few 'reverse-forward-reverse' cycles came good, has gone fine since.

I head off on 1,000k trip to civilisation later this week, but am afraid I could be in trouble if the fluid IS low.

I can't see a dipstick or a level plug anywhere. The front of the bellhousing is very slightly oil-damp.

Any advice or other suggestions very gratefully received.

Thanks,

Paul

i know this might sound like a stupid answer but dont you have a manual that came with the car???

[Wilbur]

Yes, but it has more information about the use of the digital bum-wiper and Satnav than things like mechanical maintenance... the way of the future I guess.

Paul

[Blknight.aus]

ummm correct me If im wrong but Isnt the p38 one of those ones fitted with the auto that your not ment to check the oil level on, its ment to be done by the greaser come servicing time?

[Slunnie]

Warm it up, cycle the gearstick through all of the gears a few times and then you check the level through the fill hole. Weird I know.

[p38arover]

ummm correct me If im wrong but Isnt the p38 one of those ones fitted with the auto that your not ment to check the oil level on, its ment to be done by the greaser come servicing time?

Pre-99 model P38A do have a real dipstick, the later ones don't.

See RAVE for the correct procedures.

Ron

[Blknight.aus]

Pre-99 model P38A do have a real dipstick, the later ones don't.

Ron

Its no fun taking the shots when you make them that easy Ron..... :P

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Its no fun taking the shots when you make them that easy Ron..... :P


:D:D:D

[Blknight.aus]

Warm it up, cycle the gearstick through all of the gears a few times and then you check the level through the fill hole. Weird I know.

although thats what I ment by done by the greaser at servicing time.....

but IMHO that procedure as describe could be wrong (havent read the relevent rave section in full yet) but doing that would leave the TX over full which has the potential to be bad.

I would think that you would check it cold before starting it when most of the oil would be in the sump and not held up in the TC and the shifting gear.

[Hoges]

Set RR at standard height. Put solid chocks at front wheels and behind rear wheels. Else put RR on 4 jack stands if you need more clearance to crawl under the vehicle.

While AT is COLD remove filler plug and check level...should be just able to dribble over the bottom edge.

Get someone (you trust!) to ensure handbrake is firmly applied and start the engine and idle it while you slowly add additional fluid until it just begins to dribble again.

Get them to go through the gears twice, a couple of seconds in each gear, then back to neutral while idling. Add more oil if necessary until it is just dribbling over the bottom edge of the filler hole. Replace the filler plug. turn off engine. Do Not overfill -this is very important

It's a messy job. Safety is paramount!
Good luck with it!
Hoges

[spudboy]

Good first post Hoges :D

[Wilbur]

Thanks Hoges,

Lovely clear instructions. Guess today is the day I get covered in ATF!

Thanks everyone for suggestions,

Cheers,

Paul

[Hoges]

Thanks for the welcome fellas. Much appreciated. My relatively recently acquired 1999 P38 ("Thor " engine) has been dubbed "the magnificent obsession" by certain members of the family...how rude! (but true!!)

I do look forward to maintaining an active "watch" on all matters LR/RR

Hoges