Thread: Urgent advice please - checking ATF on P38a

Originally Posted by 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

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

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

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?

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.

Originally Posted by 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?

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

See RAVE for the correct procedures.

Ron

Originally Posted by p38arover

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

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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.