Trans Fluid

Jansen · March 5, 2005

My 2004 GMC Sierra with 4750 miles on it was a Quart Low on transmission fluid today. WTF?????? I haven't seen any fluid leaking from it and I'm wondering if the it was sold to me that way. Did I do any damage to the transmission by driving it like that? It hasn't been slipping or shifting funny, but WTF? I just want to know if any damage has occured cause I'm going to go see the guy at my dealership and make sure he knows what i'm feeling.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Jansen

MrQuadrasteer · March 5, 2005

Jansen, I'd be a little bent, too.....

So long as the trans never did anything unexpected- slip, skip a gear, anything like that, and as long the fluid didn't smell burnt or was too dark, I would say you'll be fine.

Keep in mind the last bit of fluid is more of a little safety margin on top than really needed for safe operation.

Yeah, I'd definetly let the stealer know, but I'm sure you'll be fine.

az'03Silverado · March 5, 2005

Relax. Before you go bitchin' to the service advisor (who didn't fill the trans at the factory), check a few things first. Was the engine/trans up to operating temp? Was the truck parked on a level surface? Did you follow the rather involved fluid level check in the owner's manual? (each gear for 6 seconds, then in park for 3 minutes, then check the fluid)

If, after this, it's still low, stay relaxed. One quart out of several isn't gonna hurt anything. Just top it off. No biggie. A quart of ATF is like 3 bucks.

Jansen · March 5, 2005

I followed the manual. I drove about 15 miles, sat in each gear and checked it. The trans has been fine and should have been up to temp (today was 55F outside). You gotta understand where I'm coming from, My F150 did this to me, It eventually blew the torque converter out so I'm way Paranoid about these things. I just had to vent. Thanks for being sane and talking to me guys, I appreciate it.

I admit the fluid in the trans looked great, just low. She is in the middle of the hot range now, I'll give it some time and check it out.

Thanks again

Jansen

biochemist · March 5, 2005

I followed the manual. I drove about 15 miles, sat in each gear and checked it. The trans has been fine and should have been up to temp (today was 55F outside). You gotta understand where I'm coming from, My F150 did this to me, It eventually blew the torque converter out so I'm way Paranoid about these things. I just had to vent. Thanks for being sane and talking to me guys, I appreciate it.

I admit the fluid in the trans looked great, just low. She is in the middle of the hot range now, I'll give it some time and check it out.

Thanks again

Jansen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I checked mine back when it was hot, even driving for ~45 minutes and all the other check-list of things you do, mine never reaches the HOT-hatched area...when very cold, it is just above the first line, never seen it past about 75% up the middle area (just a little under the line under the word HOT)...I actually took her in and let the service guys check for me cause I thought I was doing it wrong. They said as long as it is between the marks (the line above COLD and below the HOT, hatched area) you are good to go, they said they rarely/never see them above the second mark...they tell me unless it is real hot out and you are driving stop and go or hilly roads, or you are towing you will probably never get the transmission hot enough to register in the HOT-hatched area (above the second line)...I know this is true because even after driving for an ~hour on the highway, the fluid was still cool enough to touch...dealer said it looks very clean (red and clear, I verified )...Our trucks have the external cooler also...this keeps the temps, well, down (this is a good thing )...Also, the manual states to check again after a COLD check only if it is below the bottom line (the line above COLD)...as long as it is above there when the rig is cold you are fine... Anyway, I assume your fluid is somewhere between the two marks on the stick, just do not overfill, just like all the other fluids, too much is not good either? I would not worry about adding any...you are fine, later,

simsmarine · March 6, 2005

Just for conversation purposes I'll throw this out there for the dogs to chew :

A certified ATRA Transmission tech told me " no harm can be done to a transmission by overfilling it". Anyone care to debate that ?

vhato · March 6, 2005

After I bought my '04 I put 1400 miles on it and decided to view my fluid levels.

I was Low in,

Engine Oil

Transmission Fluid

Power Sterring Fluid

I say GM got lazy and decided it wasn't necessary to top it off.

facn8me · March 6, 2005

Just for conversation purposes I'll throw this out there for the dogs to chew :

A certified ATRA Transmission tech told me " no harm can be done to a transmission by overfilling it". Anyone care to debate that ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nope no arguement. Sometimes people need to learn the hard way.

vhato · March 6, 2005

Just for conversation purposes I'll throw this out there for the dogs to chew :

A certified ATRA Transmission tech told me " no harm can be done to a transmission by overfilling it". Anyone care to debate that ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well,

It is known that Transmission Fluid once hot fills with air bubbles and because usesless as a lubricant. HOWEVER, it is also *said* that before that happens any excess fluid will be FORCED through the upper hose and out onto the underside of your truck....so essentially you can never overfill it as long as the upper hose is in place and not blocked.

I wouldn't test the theory though.

az'03Silverado · March 6, 2005

After I bought my '04 I put 1400 miles on it and decided to view my fluid levels.

I was Low in,

Engine Oil

Transmission Fluid

Power Sterring Fluid

I say GM got lazy and decided it wasn't necessary to top it off.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ditto! When I bought my '03 both the trans and PS were low.

Hey Jansen, did you get her filled? Like the other folks said, as long as it's between the marks you're cool. When I bought mine, I drove around for about 2000 miles with the trans just covering the little loop at the end of the dipstick. That's how it was delivered to me. I have 22,000 miles now with 0 problems. In fact, when I installed my B&M Supercooler, the instructions didn't say how many extra quarts it would take so I just put one in and drove it 20 miles or so to get it nice and warm to check it. When I did, it was still a quart low. That Supercooler must have a hollow leg or something.

Oh, the overfilling question. I heard that it could really start to foam up and get air in the passages and stuff. Probably not good.

budhayes3 · March 6, 2005

Just for conversation purposes I'll throw this out there for the dogs to chew :

A certified ATRA Transmission tech told me " no harm can be done to a transmission by overfilling it". Anyone care to debate that ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would definitely debate that. As mentioned by vhato, trans fluid can aerate, and it will when overfilled. Aerated trans fluid will lose it's ability to lubricate, and can cause a trans to overheat and burn clutches. Yes, the excess fluid should be pushed out of the vent, but by the time that happens, the damage may already be done.

facn8me · March 6, 2005

Just for conversation purposes I'll throw this out there for the dogs to chew :

A certified ATRA Transmission tech told me " no harm can be done to a transmission by overfilling it". Anyone care to debate that ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would definitely debate that. As mentioned by vhato, trans fluid can aerate, and it will when overfilled. Aerated trans fluid will lose it's ability to lubricate, and can cause a trans to overheat and burn clutches. Yes, the excess fluid should be pushed out of the vent, but by the time that happens, the damage may already be done.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Seals are affected during this time also. Added pressure can build up pushing past seals causing leaks. of course if the vent is working very well it may push the excess fluid out to the exhaust causing a fire.

Jansen · March 6, 2005

I put enough in to get it a hair past the bottom hot line. It is not topped off right now only because I only bought one bottle of trans fluid at the time. I'm thinking it will be ok because the trans never acted funny. I want well over 100K out of this and want to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. I got so yanked around by Ford a few months back that I'm a little paranoid about these type of things. Other than that though, the truck seems to be doing pretty good.

Jansen

Jansen · March 6, 2005

just as a follow up, my tranny fluid was only showing on end of the dip stick on little ring. It was barely, if at all, in the cold range. Thats what ticked me off pretty good. I know I reference my ex-Ford but that truck was barking the tires in second gear and this is if you are pulling away from a red light following your grandma. The brilliant Ford guys told me they found nothing wrong until I showed up with a tranny that wouldn't register in the cold range and by that time the bellhousing had fluid coming out and the torque converter had crapped itself. Ford bought that truck back. Never-the-less I don't want anything like this to happen to the GMC.

Jansen

biochemist · March 7, 2005

just as a follow up, my tranny fluid was only showing on end of the dip stick on little ring. It was barely, if at all, in the cold range. Thats what ticked me off pretty good. I know I reference my ex-Ford but that truck was barking the tires in second gear and this is if you are pulling away from a red light following your grandma. The brilliant Ford guys told me they found nothing wrong until I showed up with a tranny that wouldn't register in the cold range and by that time the bellhousing had fluid coming out and the torque converter had crapped itself. Ford bought that truck back. Never-the-less I don't want anything like this to happen to the GMC.

Jansen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

End of the dip-stick huh, was it really below the bottom line above the word COLD? I was told it is hard to get an accurate reading on the fluid...but I think as long as she reads between the line above COLD and below HOT (no matter if you have been driving or sitting, but if you are at the COLD mark when it is COLD then that is fine), your were probably fine to begin with ... The manual is a bit vauge, it reads like as long as you get the engine temp up to steady for 15 minutes, and follow the steps your dip-stick should read HOT...Anyway, it is good you check it, so where does she read now COLD and "HOT"...later,