P38 - Transmission top up help

stevef1964 · Jun 29, 2011

Guys,

Just been checking the oil, water on my 1995 V8 P38.

The only one I am concerned about is the transmission fluid.

Whilst checking the stick, located at the back of the engine bay, it shows it being below the low and high markers.

I've been looking through the manual and can't seem to find where to fill up the fluid. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Also, the manual says use Dexron IID or III. Are these still valid or is there a better one to use now?

Steve

TAH · Jun 29, 2011

stevef1964 said:
Guys,

Just been checking the oil, water on my 1995 V8 P38.

The only one I am concerned about is the transmission fluid.

Whilst checking the stick, located at the back of the engine bay, it shows it being below the low and high markers.

I've been looking through the manual and can't seem to find where to fill up the fluid. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Also, the manual says use Dexron IID or III. Are these still valid or is there a better one to use now?

Steve

Dipstick for the gearbox.. !? where is that as I was looking for mine but haven't found it yet - assuming its there and they all have one. Even saw a picture in the Rave manual.. :-(

stevef1964 · Jun 29, 2011

Mine is a Petrol so maybe different.

.....but have found my answer and how to check....properly!

It in the Workshop Manual 1, Section 10 - Maintenance (Page 82) - for my year!!

Tells you what to do.

Also wasn't looking closely enough, the fluid is a very clear red colour and had to look more closely. Was making the silly mistake of thinking the black blob and the end of the stick was the oil. doh!!!

Hope this helps some other greeny.

Yah live and learn!!!

Steve

TAH · Jun 29, 2011

yeah I've just been looking again in case I am a muppet and defo not got one on the coal burner.

jamesmartin · Jun 29, 2011

either stick or plug in sump in same place stick goes to basically same box petrol or diesel ncheck with engine running in neutral .fill through dipstick tube if you have one or level plug if you have that

TAH · Jun 29, 2011

I'll be getting under it then to check mine, no stick luxury!

jorjio_k · Jun 29, 2011

I might add DO NOT OVERFILL unless you want to see your p38 in flames and discover after it that the fluid driped from the stick on the exhaust manifold and cought fire ...

wammers · Jun 29, 2011

Dipstick til 99 plug thereafter. If you have dipstick you fill down dipstick hole. Start engine move lever through gears put in park or neutral dip and fill as required. Don't over fill, must be done with gearbox oil COLD.

Diehard · Aug 21, 2011

Hi people, apologies for resurecting an old thread but just about to top up my autobox on p38 4.6 and does anyone know how much oil to move level from low to high mark?

dubbleRR · Aug 21, 2011

After 99 (no dipstik)gearbox should be a specific temp me thinks could be wrong .....:doh:

jamesmartin · Aug 21, 2011

theres no temperature operated valve for oil cooler pipes so can be checked when cold which is safer,you only have to check levels with box at specific temp on boxes where oil cooler is blocked off till temp reached ,which can be known by feeling pipes and cooler

Diehard · Aug 21, 2011

I've just gone and bought a litre of Castrol ATF Dex IID Multivehicle d plan to top up through the dipstick tomorrow morning when she is cold.

I understand how to check the level but do I top up when running or not?

jamesmartin · Aug 21, 2011

yes,but give it a few minuets between top ups to check level as its hatd to get good level from stick till tube is clear of oil

Diehard · Aug 21, 2011

jamesmartin said:
yes,but give it a few minuets between top ups to check level as its hatd to get good level from stick till tube is clear of oil

Cool, cheers mate

kooky_guy · Aug 22, 2011

Diehard said:
Hi people, apologies for resurecting an old thread but just about to top up my autobox on p38 4.6 and does anyone know how much oil to move level from low to high mark?

0.25 litres according to my owners manual.

I had a real struggle getting the level right on mine when I changed the transmission fluid recently. Because new fluid is very clear, it's very hard to see it on the dipstick especially in bright sunshine. Also, my levels vary enormously depending on the temperature of the gearbox. Leaving it all day would still give a different reading to what I get first thing in the morning.

It doesn't help having to fill it via the dipstick tube either.

That was one of my least favourite tasks so far. And I've got to do it again soon to change the filter once it's all flushed through.

Diehard · Aug 22, 2011

Well really confused! Put in 0.5ltr, checked, still no reading at all... put in another 0.5ltr... nothing.

Waited 3 hrs, started, re checked after cycling gears, no reading (I.e. below black blob).

Got another 2ltrs, now just arrived home and letting cool although I checked level when hot (carefully) and its just over full mark.

Any ideas?

Datatek · Aug 22, 2011

Oil level rises when hot, should be checked with the box cold.

Diehard · Aug 22, 2011

Datatek said:
Oil level rises when hot, should be checked with the box cold.

So I'm not to worry that on cold its not even on the stick but hot over the 'full' mark?

Seems strange as box has no 'faults' (touch wood) which id expect with so little oil?

jamesmartin · Aug 22, 2011

when cold it should be correct level ,they will run on quite a bit less than they hold

TCubed · Jul 22, 2013

Thread Resurrection:

Quick question; I may be looking at the diagrams incorrectly, but how do you actually fill up the oil (2001 diesel), since it seems to need to enter sideways, with little room above it?

P38 - Transmission top up help

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