Transmission fluid reading Question

[steelerdude15]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum, but a long term lurker so I finally decided to create an account. I have a question that hopefully someone can answer. I have a 2019 LD that when I do a hot temp fluid check, its low. It's actually below the cold mark on the dipstick. I'm doing exactly what the owner's manual says on how to check the fluid. I even took it to one of my local Chevy dealers and they said when they checked it, it was full. The tranny isn't overheating, the fluid is red, and doesn't smell burnt. The truck only has 19,8994 miles on it. Does anyone have any idea would the issue could be? Thanks.

[CamGTP]

I know this is a stupid question but is there a chance that the ground wasn't as level as their shop floor was when you checked it yourself??

 

If anything, I'd add a pint or so of fluid and check it again. See where that brings you on the dipstick. It's not going to hurt anything if it ends up somehow being a half quart over full on a 6L80e.

[steelerdude15]

Thanks for the quick response. The driveway I check it in is as level as can be. I live in a very flat area. I forgot to mention I've added a quart of Castrol synthetic blend Dexron 6 fluid, but it didn't make a difference in the fluid level. The truck does shift smoother however. I've checked for leaks around the pan and cooler lines, but there aren't any leaks.

[Black02Silverado]

You should get a good reading on a flat level surface, with the engine running and in park with the parking brake on.  If you checked it and it was at the cold level and then added a qt and it didn't change then that is odd, it should have raised the level.  Was the transmission up to temp?

[steelerdude15]

2 minutes ago, Black02Silverado said:

You should get a good reading on a flat level surface, with the engine running and in park with the parking brake on.  If you checked it and it was at the cold level and then added a qt and it didn't change then that is odd, it should have raised the level.  Was the transmission up to temp?

Yup, it would be between 160 to 200 degrees as per the manual when I would check it. 

[CamGTP]

I've never read the manual for checking the fluid but once it's hot I just run it through each gear for 3-5 seconds each while my foot is on the brake. Go from park to reverse, then neutral, drive, manual 1st and back up to park stopping at each again for 3-5 seconds. Then checked the level.

[steelerdude15]

1 minute ago, CamGTP said:

I've never read the manual for checking the fluid but once it's hot I just run it through each gear for 3-5 seconds each while my foot is on the brake. Go from park to reverse, then neutral, drive, manual 1st and back up to park stopping at each again for 3-5 seconds. Then checked the level.

I've done that from park to L for 3 seconds each, but I'm not sure if I've done that from L to park for 3 seconds. I'll try that this weekend and see what happens. Thanks for the help guys.

[2018GMC]

At least you have a dipstick!

 

The 8L90 and 10L90 don't have dipsticks! 

 

Just a "check" plug you pull and see if fluid comes out when at temp.

 

[Grumpy Bear]

3 hours ago, steelerdude15 said:

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum, but a long term lurker so I finally decided to create an account. I have a question that hopefully someone can answer. I have a 2019 LD that when I do a hot temp fluid check, its low. It's actually below the cold mark on the dipstick. I'm doing exactly what the owner's manual says on how to check the fluid. I even took it to one of my local Chevy dealers and they said when they checked it, it was full. The tranny isn't overheating, the fluid is red, and doesn't smell burnt. The truck only has 19,8994 miles on it. Does anyone have any idea would the issue could be? Thanks.

Then there is something different between the methods used between you and the dealer. Investigate that by having them demonstrate it. 

[steelerdude15]

9 hours ago, 2018GMC said:

At least you have a dipstick!

 

The 8L90 and 10L90 don't have dipsticks! 

 

Just a "check" plug you pull and see if fluid comes out when at temp.

 

I know. I think its ridiculous that transmissions don't have dipsticks. I think all transmissions, regardless if its an automatic or stick should have dipsticks.

[steelerdude15]

7 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Then there is something different between the methods used between you and the dealer. Investigate that by having them demonstrate it. 

I never thought of this. Thanks for the tip.

[steelerdude15]

On 2/3/2020 at 9:47 PM, CamGTP said:

I've never read the manual for checking the fluid but once it's hot I just run it through each gear for 3-5 seconds each while my foot is on the brake. Go from park to reverse, then neutral, drive, manual 1st and back up to park stopping at each again for 3-5 seconds. Then checked the level.

So I did what you said about going through each range from L to P after doing it from P to L. My tranny is full of fluid. The owner's manual doesn't specify to go from L to P in each range. It says to put it in park after running it down to L. Thanks for your help.