Hi all,

I searched and read a few posts on this but didn't find a definitive answer. In the manual it seems to infer that you check the level with the engine not running?
Is this the case or not.
I ask because when its not running my AFT level was way above the plastic marker, ie it looked way overfilled. So I took some out. I checked it with the engine running and its below the plastic marker??
So fluid level with the engine running or not?

 

Engine and transmission up to temperature, running, in park.

The cold settings on the dipstick are nonsense, just use the hot ones.

At least, that’s true for the TH400. Not sure about the transmission attached to the AJ6 and AJ16.

 

Thanks,
What's a modern equivalent of Dexron2d as detailed in the manual

 

If the car has been sitting for some time then fluid drains into the pan and gives an artificially high reading....if checked cold with the engine off.

Getting ATF fluid level spot-on is frustrating because the fluid expands so much when hot. That's why dipsticks usually have a "safe range" (or similar wording) in between "low" and "full"

What I do is start the engine and run the trans thru the gears and check the level. If the level is not in the "safe" range add a bit of fluid until it is. Once it's somewhere in the "safe" range on the dipstick then I drive the car to get the fluid HOT (not warm) and then check the level again, engine running of course. Top off if needed to get the level at or near the "full" mark. I wanna say 5 miles to get the fluid HOT; 10 miles is even better.

If you're a stickler and want the level precisely at the full mark, well, it can be a bit time consuming....but doable. You might be adding fluid a few ounces at a time.

Cheers
DD

 

Paddy,

On an AJ6 or AJ16, you absolutely have to have the engine running, box warmed and selector repeatedly cycled through all positions a number of times. Then put in Park, engine still running, jump out, pull dipstick, wipe, reinsert fully and pull out again. Then you must check the correct side as the sides will read differently.

It's really important to do it right as it's very easy on these ZF boxes to get the fluid level wrong and it makes a huge difference to how the car runs.

Cheers

Paul

 

I believe Dexron III is acceptable. I had asked about this previously and that's what I was told.

 

Dexron III is fine. I changed the fluid twice on a friends' 96 4.0 yesterday. I used Comma AQ3 which is suitable for boxes needing Dexron III, IID, IIE etc.

Paul

 

You can also use Dexron VI, it is synthetic and backwards compatible with Dexron II and III.

 

Hi Paul,

What do you mean when you say Then you must check the correct side as the sides will read differently. ?

 

The 2 sides of the dipstick do not read consistently IME. Withdraw the dipstick, quickly wipe it and reinsert it fully the CORRECT way round, then withdraw and read against the hatched marking side.

Paul.