Greetings. My 99 F-150 (2WD 3.55 LSD) is worrying me. I checked the transmission fluid Friday (warm transmission) and the fluid barely registered on the tip of the dipstick, so I let the transmission cool and the fluid came up to where it should be at warm idle! Drove it to work this morning and checked again, and it's dropped back down to the tail end of the dipstick (not even reaching up to the two 'cold' holes in the stick).

Does that make any sense at all?

Thanks for any help,

--
Jim

 

I think that the fluid drains back out of the converter to the mean level of the fluid in the rest of the transmission, this is why when it's not running it reads higher. You can only read the fluid accurately when the car is running, transmission in park and at operating temp. When the car is not running, the pump is not maintaining the fluid all through the converter, some drains back out (the top half more or less). I'd try to find Mark Kolvalsky, he posts on this board and is a real expert on the 4R70, but I think the goofy readings come from how you are checking it if you're checking it with the engine off.

Hope this helps,

G

[This message has been edited by Factory_Tech (edited 01-30-2001).]

 

Doh! Please, somebody, call me an idjit. I've had my truck more than a year now, I change the oil, rotate the tires, replace the coolant, and yet I've apparently had a Brain Fart and forgot to (ever? ever?!?) check the ATF level. Just finished pouring a **full quart** in yesterday afternoon, in abject shame.

Wow. It shifts better. Imagine that.

I recently pulled a boner like that with my home A/C. Started wondering why the heater was blowing almost all the time. Filter was clogged almost beyond belief. I **knew** to change the filter, I've done it several times in the past, then it's like I'm just sliding along with no concerns in the world and forget something basic like that (those). Sheesh. And I'm only 37.

Thanks for the reply,

 

yeah, What Factory Tech said is 100% correct.
The level with the engine off is meaningless.

Mark

 

I've checked my ATF level with engine at normal operating temperature and running and the fluid level is at the top of the "Don't Add" section of the dipstick. Is this anything I should worry about? Fluid looks
good and still smells like ATF at 13,800 miles. Thanks for any advice.

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2000 XLT S/C 5.4 Oxford White - 3.55 LS - Dark Graphite Captains Chairs - Towing Package - Sport Package - P275-60-R17 - In Dash CD - Slider - Duraliner - Sport Decals removed before I would take delivery