Didn't think much about it until I wanted to fill the F23 I just installed in the race car. I guess it's the old "pull the upper plug and fill till it's pouring on the ground trick" You would think that for all it's worth GM would have provided a simple way to check the fluid. BTW, how much does it hold? Dextron VI is what I was told to use. any thoughts?
The GM concept regarding the lack of a dipstick is: If the fluid level is low and you have a leak then the leak needs to be repaired. It is necessary to drain the trans fluid for most repairs. After repairing the leak then refill with the required amount of fluid. If it doesn't leak then the fluid level should not change.
On automatics now, its unusual to find a trans dipstick. It usually requires a temp probe and special tools to check. Just another way for auto repair shops to make more easy money. Dealer would check my Hemi Magnum for $59.95. My solution now is drive it till it slips then add enough to make it stop slipping. If you have a leak, estimate when you leak out a quart and add 1 then. Pretty much seems that any trans repair these days is a full rebuild cost anyway, so drive it till its broke.
On automatics now, its unusual to find a trans dipstick. It usually requires a temp probe and special tools to check. Just another way for auto repair shops to make more easy money. Dealer would check my Hemi Magnum for $59.95. My solution now is drive it till it slips then add enough to make it stop slipping. If you have a leak, estimate when you leak out a quart and add 1 then. Pretty much seems that any trans repair these days is a full rebuild cost anyway, so drive it till its broke.
The GM concept regarding the lack of a dipstick is: If the fluid level is low and you have a leak then the leak needs to be repaired. It is necessary to drain the trans fluid for most repairs. After repairing the leak then refill with the required amount of fluid. If it doesn't leak then the fluid level should not change.
That and too many owners are too stupid to know what kind of fluid to put in the transmission and dump engine oil, antifreeze, god knows what in there. Just seal it so they can't screw it up. Checking the engine oil is confusing enough for the typical owner.
2.0 quarts of manual transmission fluid. GM part# 88861800 or AC Delco part# 10-433. It costs $5.92 per quart. F23 is a manual transmission out of 2000-2002 Cavalier and Sunfire with 2.2L. Gear ratio is nearly identical to the Getrag 5spd but the F23 is said to hold up to a little more power. Marshal
I know that. I was just adding a comment that ANY dipstick is becoming a thing of the past. Oil dipsticks will be the next to go. All they need is a level sensor in the pan and a light on the dash.
Agree that all dipsticks will soon be gone, but some engines still have a small fill tube or plug leading to the transmission pan. What I do is make a dipstick from a long 1/4" wide (white color) cable tie when all is OK. That gives you a full mark which you can mark on your homemade dipstick and allow you to take readings. Talk about the lack of certain things on newer cars; my sons BMW didn't even come with a spare tire or a jack. He went back to the dealer where he bought it last year and the dealer said "if you can afford a BMW you can afford road service". It just so happens that he needed tires last month and put a set of run flat tires on it that will get him off of the road and to a service station. Point is that times are changing but there is always a solution.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Pretty much seems that any trans repair these days is a full rebuild cost anyway, so drive it till its broke.
