Jump to content

Dipstick-less Transmissions

Thomcat
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 42
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

Thomcat
Thomcat

.02 Some penny pinching, eco friendly bicycle rider at GM has removed the automatic transmission dipsticks from the '19 truck transmissions. I was waiting for this as soon as they started pulling

aseibel
aseibel

How many times a year do you push your transmission to the max, such that you have to inspect the fluid upon coming to a stop? Have your fluid changed every 50k if it bothers you.   If you'r

Grumpy Bear
Grumpy Bear

Nope, GREED has been with us awhile now.   

Posted Images

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
16 minutes ago, ChinkySuperman said:

this is in the manual

 

image.png.df3c45fe0cc60b81d5d1d78d1261fe81.png

 

How the hell are you supposed to check the tran fluid without a dipstick ???. 

With those ever so clever sight/fill/overflow plugs. 

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

I think they want you to take it to the dealer for service.

Trying to discourage servicing it yourself. 

 

:)

  • Thanks 1
Zach-91 Enthusiast

Zach-91

Posted
Posted

Has anyone seen a procedure for how the dealer is supposed to replace or inspect the fluid? Considering changing mine after a few thousand miles because I don't believe I have the new fluid that is now listed in the TSB and honestly would rather just replace it myself without having to deal with trying to convince the dealer that I feel a weird shift every now and then. 

  • 2 weeks later...
jay webb Enthusiast

jay webb

Posted
Posted
On 8/22/2019 at 7:16 AM, Thomcat said:

.02

Some penny pinching, eco friendly bicycle rider at GM has removed the automatic transmission dipsticks from the '19 truck transmissions. I was waiting for this as soon as they started pulling this crap in their FWD sedans/SUVs.

 

Now their trucks have adopted the same mantra as their front drive sedans, no dipstick, no filling port, no fluid checks necessary unless you see a leak, and the GM will then get a service visit. Can't leave fluid changes in the hands of a novice, they may dispose of it improperly and kill some fishies or some other lame excuse to tout maintenance free as a guise for saving a few bucks on parts and labor on their bargain priced $50K trucks.

 

Wasn't too bothered when it disappeared from sedan - but, really? -  some clueless designer actually removed it from a truck? Trucks have beds and hitches for hauling heavy crap like towing a boat on mountain roads up and down to the river. Manual gear selection and tranny temp gauges are useful for this purpose, but equally important is the dipstick to check the condition of the fluid. On hot days with a heavy load in cresting hills at max tranny temps it is always a good idea to check the smell and color of the fluid. Fading or disappearance of the red color of the heat sensitive dye in the fluid is cause for immediate concern and a fast fluid change to avert future damage. Now without a dipstick to monitor fluid, you're SOL without raising the vehicle and guessing which tranny bolt will permit access for checking without giving you a Dextron shampoo.

 

Good move GM. Next to disappear is the engine oil dipstick with drivers being dependent solely upon the OLM and a low oil check light for oil monitoring. Then the ultimate hood welded shut and buy a new one when the engine light comes on.

this isnt new to the 2019s this started on the last generation of the trucks based on what trans you have. if you have an 8/10 speed it has no dipstick. but if you had the 6 speed it did. but there is ways to check the fluid level, truck has to be running and at operating temp, there is a check plug on the pan. pull it. fluid will run out, when it slows to a drip put the plug bag. its full. if it dont run out at all then it is most likely a lil low. there is a fill plug on the side of the case. 

  • Like 1
Moend Enthusiast

Moend

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, jay webb said:

this isnt new to the 2019s this started on the last generation of the trucks based on what trans you have. if you have an 8/10 speed it has no dipstick. but if you had the 6 speed it did. but there is ways to check the fluid level, truck has to be running and at operating temp, there is a check plug on the pan. pull it. fluid will run out, when it slows to a drip put the plug bag. its full. if it dont run out at all then it is most likely a lil low. there is a fill plug on the side of the case. 

Thank you! That was informative 

  • 9 months later...
High Country 6.2L/8 Enthusiast

High Country 6.2L/8

Posted
Posted
On 8/22/2019 at 12:38 PM, MaverickZ71 said:

Hey now, we all know the General is never wrong . . . . 

 

It's just that more and more, he's a little short on being right!

 

:rollin:

Aside from the vast opinions on to have or not. Did anyone install one of the B&M trans sticks on there 8 speed? Have one but didn't install yet

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted

How many threads do we have complaining about transmission issues? 

How many of those issues are caused by neglected fluid?

How many believe there is such a thing as any 'forever' part? 

Really? Define forever! 

 

My forever is around a million miles

GM's forever is about 60 thousand

Before you say a million is unrealistic ask yourself is 60 K is

  • Like 2
jnissen Enthusiast

jnissen

Posted
Posted

Yeah I used to believe transmissions that were sealed were lifetime till I had to service one at 50K miles from slipping. Was an eye opener. Any tow rig that isn’t changing the fluid every 40K miles can expect to see an early life fail IMHO. Even if you keep the trans temp under 200F fluids still wear out. Fluid is a whole lot less costly than a rebuild.

BTW I consider 300K miles or under an early life fail!

  • Like 1
  • 1 year later...
IOMTT Enthusiast

IOMTT

Posted
Posted
On 9/6/2019 at 7:28 PM, jay webb said:

this isnt new to the 2019s this started on the last generation of the trucks based on what trans you have. if you have an 8/10 speed it has no dipstick. but if you had the 6 speed it did. but there is ways to check the fluid level, truck has to be running and at operating temp, there is a check plug on the pan. pull it. fluid will run out, when it slows to a drip put the plug bag. its full. if it dont run out at all then it is most likely a lil low. there is a fill plug on the side of the case. 

WHERE on the case? I see a 1/8" pipe plug1B48E385-6D4C-4675-8DF8-2C81B7E4B6BE.thumb.jpeg.e5bed608e40a0e37ab927cffce743da0.jpeg

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted (edited)

I figure one of the reasons for 'dipstickless' is that they got tired of damage from owners that ignored / didn't know the correct check method and ended up with damage from the incorrect level. 

 

 

Severe service maintenance schedule is still 45,000 miles for trans oil and filter change.

Edited by redwngr
Grover67 Enthusiast

Grover67

Posted
Posted
On 5/29/2022 at 9:50 AM, IOMTT said:

WHERE on the case? I see a 1/8" pipe plug1B48E385-6D4C-4675-8DF8-2C81B7E4B6BE.thumb.jpeg.e5bed608e40a0e37ab927cffce743da0.jpeg

 

What trans do you have??

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,924
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    KirbyCo
    Newest Member
    KirbyCo
    Joined

  • Who's Online   6 Members, 2 Anonymous, 1,134 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Chuck FB
      Joke Thread

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      An ultra wealthy man had the most beautiful daughter. But, there was a problem. Everything she touched would melt in her hands. No matter what, Metal, Wood, Stone. Anything she touched would melt. She could not feed herself. Because of this, men were afraid of her. Nobody would dare marry her. Her father was despaired. What could he do to help his daughter? He consulted doctors, scientists and anybody who could solve this problem. Finally one of them said, "If your daughter touches one thing that does not melt in her hands, she will be cured." He was overjoyed and came up with a plan. The next day, he held a competition. Any man who could bring his daughter an object that would not melt in her hands would be given billions of dollars to marry her. Three extremely intelligent and handsome young men took up the challenge. The first brought a very heavy steel rod, But alas, when the she touched it, it completely melted in a matter of seconds. He sadly went away. The second brought a beautiful diamond, knowing diamonds were one of the hardest substance in the world and would not melt. But alas, once she held it in her hand, it melted. He too was sent away disappointed. So now, there was one left He was very nervous & sweating. He approached the daughter & said, “put your hand in my pants pocket and feel what is in there." She did exactly what he asked. She felt something very hard. She held it in her hand, squeezing it as hard as she could. It did not melt & remained extremely hard. Her father was overjoyed. Everybody was overjoyed. She was finally cured. Nothing never, ever melted in her hand again. They married and they both lived happily ever after, raising a wonderful family. Question: What was in the the groom’s pants pocket??? Answer below ↓ M&Ms of course! They melt in your mouth, not in your hand. What on earth were you thinking?
    • asilverblazer
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      There's a bunch of tea leaves that you've read, but in any case the delayed timing is unusual. Not sure how that relates to the rich at idle vs. 'normal' while driving.   If you're in this deep, might be worth investigating, and re-learning the sensor. What have you got to lose? Plus, it properly fixes the timing cover leak.
    • asilverblazer
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      The only problem I have seen this cause is longer crank times. 
    • Atlas
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By Atlas · Posted

      Injector is being sent off today for rebuild and I estimate I'll have it back in 10 days or so.   It may not be the injector...of course...now that I've torn down the intake again. But, let's rule out the injector and replace those spider legs that have been almost rubbed through.   The truck has always had negative timing and I'm reading "normal" timing at warm idle should be +16 or so. I'm negative 16 to 25 or more, and it's always been like that since I bought it.   A light turned on upstairs last night in the old noggin. Rare, I know...   This will be wild, if it turns out to be the cause!   In 2001, according to the old service documentation, the muffler was replaced. Why? I have no idea, it wouldn't have been rusted through by then. But they did a crappy job.   In 2019, another shop replaced it and noted the prior install was poorly done on the work order. "Exhaust system vibrates on crossmember". Except...I guess they just left it be? I believe the husband, the couple who were original owners, had passed by then. Maybe she said it's just not worth it to have the exhaust system fixed and declined repairs. Very few miles were driven between 2019 and 2025.   The exhaust system vibrates heavily on the crossmember and you can feel it and REALLY hear it, even today. Not always, but at idle, it gets going pretty good sometimes.   What if....   ....What if that's enough to trigger one or both of the knock sensors? Could it be tricking the sensors into sensing knock, so it's pulling timing aggressively? Pulling timing heavily means it's firing after the piston reaches full height which means incomplete burn which means the O2 sensor is sensing a rich condition, which means I've been chasing my tail, and what I thought was an inconsequential problem (janky exhaust) has been THE issue for this truck for 25 solid years?   That would be wild. Maybe it IS wild.   The service documentation thereafter, for years, shows visits for rough idle, replacing O2's, replacing the cat, replacing plugs and wires, a misfire condition, like they could never solve the issue. The injector has been replaced 4 times in 80k miles, that's just crazy.   The secondary theory....   The engine has clearly had a leak at the front seal for a very long time (the greasy trench...). I think the truck changed hands quickly ~2025 because there's Napa receipts from someone I don't recognize in the ownership history. They apparently replaced the timing cover seal, and they did a terrible job. There's RTV smeared all over and the leak I had reduced to a weep by snugging the front oil pan bolts is now a leak again.   HOWEVER....I read about replacing the crankshaft position sensor. Any time the ckp sensor is disturbed or timing cover is removed, the truck requires relearning, and that can only be done through a bi-directional scan tool. Skippy with the RTV probably didn't do the relearn procedure is my guess. His scan tool is lost in a pile of RTV goo somewhere.   So, it's very possible the sensor has been disturbed and the truck is just running on the old learn data but not setting a code for anything. The distributor has since been replaced and so has the camshaft position sensor, so all bets are off for that thing.   In the theme of one step forward, two steps back, I returned the accumulator for the AC. The gal I've been working with at O'Really's has been great. She refunded it under manufacturer's defect and we compared it to the replacement I ordered, and sure enough, the replacement is machined very differently (and a gauge actually fits on it!).   Got it home, installed it, started vacuuming it down.... and I couldn't get good vacuum.   The high side service port, where I replaced the old GM ball valve suspecting that was a source of the previous leak....well, I've clearly exposed whatever pre-existing crack in the line where the service port is welded, and made it much worse. Blessing in disguise? Except there goes another $25, now I'm waiting for a replacement AC line.   In 10-ish days ALL the parts will be here. Rebuilt injector, new exhaust system, new cat, new high pressure AC line.   Oh, did I mention the squeaking ISN'T coming from the AC pump? The truck still squeaks when started, and there were words after I started it with the new AC pump installed. But, there was more to replacing the AC pump for just a squeak. A truck with good working AC is something of value, for the comfort alone.   I've ordered a new harmonic balancer because, 30 years is a good run for one of those. Rule it out. The squeak may be something more sinister, though. I'm worried about that ckp sensor and if it was shimmed correctly, or if the timing set was installed correctly. The squeak may be coming from UNDER the timing cover.   At this point, once I get it put back together, I'm thinking I'll take a 50 mile victory lap and then promptly put it up for sale. This truck is cursed. Betty, from beyond the grave, doesn't want anyone messing with her Blazer. Or maybe she's getting revenge for 30 years of shop visits with that thing.
    • KARNUT
      Gas Prices

      By KARNUT · Posted

      3.59 Kroger’s in Montgomery Tx. 20 cents higher than most around here. Very unusual. Saturday they were 3.49. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...