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Sep 28, 2010 | 09:43 PM

moto4

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trans dipstick

I have a 2000, V10, 4x4, 4" lift (315/75/16) and have noticed that when I check the trans dipstick, one side comes out low, at the bottom with where the loop is, and the other side comes out at the top of the crosshatch, reading full. It will do this consistently, and if I turn the dipstick over it does the same thing, of course with it reading the opposite, as in the crosshatch side will read very low, and the smooth side will read high. Is this normal? Has anyone else <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

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9; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]-->experienced this?

Sep 29, 2010 | 09:44 AM

wallz

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2008

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From: The Great White North!

No expert here, but I do think it comes into the tranny at an angle.

You are taking the reading with tranny warmed up and truck running, right?

Sep 29, 2010 | 10:09 AM

EXv10

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Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 11,798

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From: Mt. Shasta California

It's not the angle even though that contributes to the phenonemon, it's way the oil gathers and transmits to the stick around the inside of the tube. This has been happening since the invention of the dipstick. The trick is; on the first attempt wipe the stick clean just before reading, lower the stick all but 3-4" above the oil, and quickly plunge it in and out. Otherwise, use the lower reading. Cold readings will do better also.
When you intially remove the stick you are pulling oil onto one side of the inside of the tube and then it transmits to the stick upon re-entry. Your lower reading will be accurate in any case because the high reading is merely residual oil that is transmitted to the stick from the bottom side of the inside of the tube upon re-entry.
Now that you are armed with this info you can accurately change your oil, but can the new kid at Jiffy Lube?

Sep 29, 2010 | 08:15 PM

perryg114

More Turbo

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 669

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From: Tennessee

I have the same problem. The side with the lesser reading is the correct side. It is really hard just after you added fluid. Then both sides read falsly high. This is probably one reason for the incorrect myth about changing the fluid can kill a transmission. The real truth is they they don't get it full and burn it up trying to get it to shift when it is 3 quarts low on fluid.

Perry

Sep 29, 2010 | 09:42 PM

moto4

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Thanks for the replies.

I am reading the stick when hot, on level ground, and with three or four tries, getting the same reading each time.

When I read it cold, one side will read well over full, the other a bit below full. I know that the full or over full side could be getting a false reading, though it doesn't seem residual because it is straight across. I do get some residual higher up though. I know that it is similar to checking the oil. It also takes a couple of wipes and dips before I feel like I am getting consistent readings.

Is there a cold, motor off, reading that is reliable or accurate?

Sep 29, 2010 | 10:00 PM

EXv10

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Joined: Mar 2009

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From: Mt. Shasta California

Try my trick

If you lower the stick to 3-4" above the oil and then quickly plunge and retieve you will get a better reading because the oil you have slopped onto the inside of tube will have less time to transfer to the stick. Or; take the stick out and clean it before you add oil, this will create a time factor so the oil will drain down from the original retrieval and now use the first method also. Or; take the stick out, go to the store, come back and check it which will create the time factor to drain the oil coating inside the tube caused by the removal of the stick.

Sep 29, 2010 | 10:05 PM

EXv10

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Joined: Mar 2009

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From: Mt. Shasta California

Quote:

Originally Posted by moto4

Thanks for the replies.

I am reading the stick when hot, on level ground, and with three or four tries, getting the same reading each time.

When I read it cold, one side will read well over full, the other a bit below full. I know that the full or over full side could be getting a false reading, though it doesn't seem residual because it is straight across. I do get some residual higher up though. I know that it is similar to checking the oil. It also takes a couple of wipes and dips before I feel like I am getting consistent readings.

Is there a cold, motor off, reading that is reliable or accurate?

Yes and it is outlined above. Hot, cold, off on, whatever.

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Sep 30, 2010 | 01:32 AM

EXv10

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Joined: Mar 2009

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From: Mt. Shasta California

If the reading is supposed to be taken when hot don't gamble with a cold reading and there is no reason you can't get a good hot reading.

Sep 30, 2010 | 03:19 AM

#10

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,695

Likes: 2,616

From: SE Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by moto4

What level would be accurate on a cold read?

There is no way to accurately measure the level cold.

Sep 30, 2010 | 05:55 AM

#11

moto4

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

There is no way to accurately measure the level cold.

That is what I thought as well. Given your listed former profession, have you seen this issue with the trans dipstick and which reading should I trust, when measuring with it hot, the low sie or the high side?

Sep 30, 2010 | 11:22 AM

#12

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,695

Likes: 2,616

From: SE Florida

Yes, they all do it

Due to the way the dipstick tube bends the stick is going to rub on one side and distort the reading. Always read the low side.

Sep 30, 2010 | 01:02 PM

#13

moto4

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Thanks for the input. I will be adding some shortly.

Sep 30, 2010 | 07:01 PM

#14

EXv10

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Joined: Mar 2009

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From: Mt. Shasta California

Quote:

Originally Posted by moto4

Again; the low side. I specialized in auto trans also.

Sep 30, 2010 | 09:15 PM

#15

moto4

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As a follow up, I added two quarts, and now both sides read about the same (full).

I did try an experiment with the dipstick. After taking it out, wiping it, I put it back in all but about the last 3 inches, then pulled it back out. Did this several times, even after putting it all the way in. There was no residual fluid showing up on it.

That tells me that there is no collecting in the tube when removing the dipstick, or that the dipstick is rubbing the tube on the way out.

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