Component Tests and General Diagnostics
WARNING: Fluid may be extremely hot if car has recently been driven.
Conditions:
- Car parked on level surface with engine idling and gear selector in position P.
- Operate the footbrake or apply the handbrake. Select each gear position in turn, remaining in each for 4-5 seconds. Return the lever to position P and wait approx. 2 minutes before checking the fluid level.
NOTE: Wipe the dipstick with a nylon or chamois cloth i.e. not with a cloth which may leave fluff or threads.
Dipstic Marking:
- A = Cold range B = Hot range
- At ambient temperature +20°C (68°F), the fluid level will normally be within the "Cold" range +40°C (104°F). This is reached after approx. 10 minutes of idling at ambient temperature.
- The hot range is used to check the level at normal working temperature (reached after approx. 30 minutes of highway driving).
High Level
- Drain off fluid. Disconnect filler tube from sump. Allow some fluid to run off and replace tube.
- Check fluid level. Repeat until level is correct. Filler tube tightening torque: 90 Nm (66 ft.lb).
- Check that no water is present in fluid (in which case, fluid will be whitish in colour). If so, transmission must be removed and cleaned, and oil cooler repaired or replaced.
- High load may also cause high level due to abnormally high fluid temperature.
Low Level
- Top up fluid to between maximum and minimum markings on dipstick.
Fluid Type:
Grade Of Fluid
- ATF fluid, type Dexron II D.
- Check that the low level is not due to leakage. Checking at a temperature lower than +5°C (41°F) may give an incorrect level. Driving with low fluid level will cause foaming of the fluid (accompanied by a droning noise) which, in turn, may also give an incorrect level.
CAUTION: Dexron fluid must not be mixed with other types. Under no circumstances may additives be added to transmission fluid.
Top-up Quantities (in Liters.) When:
- Removing oil sump (e.g. when replacing gasket) 3.3.
Before starting engine top up with 2.7.
- Overhauling control system in car 5.5.
Before starting engine top up with 5.0.
- Overhauling transmission and installing new torque converter 7.5.
Before starting engine top up with 7.0.
- Overhauling transmission and re-installing original torque converter 6.5.
Before starting engine top up with 6.1.
(Torque converter cannot be drained fully)
CAUTION: Add 300 cc if car is fitted with extra oil cooler (which may also be installed as an accessory).
Fluid Discolored Or Gives Off Burnt Odor
- Remove oil sump. Inspect for impurities in the form of abnormal quantities of particles of steel, aluminium or lining materials.
Impurities In Transmission:
- Replace transmission. If appropriate, dismantle transmission and identify cause.
- Replace damaged components. If no fault is found in gearbox, particles have probably originated in torque converter. In this case, replace converter, and clean oil cooler and pipes.
No Impurities In Transmission:
- Change fluid and clean oil sump, oil strainer, particle magnet(s) and oil cooler.
- Alternatively, replace transmission.
- If oil is discolored or burnt due to hard driving or towing a caravan, although transmission is functioning correctly, top up with fresh fluid, in other words, top up until clean fluid runs continuously from return pipe. Refer to "Oil System, Cleaning".