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transmission fluid level

O

OntarioMax

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2024
Location
46.4838° N, 84.22032° W
1992 740 GL Non Turbo Automatic

I'm having an odd fluid level reading, or maybe it' not.
When sitting, the car turned off on level ground, the reading on the cold side of the transmission dipstick, when the engine is cold, reads above the maximum mark.
After driving the car, for about 20 minutes, leaving the car running, parked on level ground, the reading on the Hot side of the dipstick is None, as though it has the wrong amount well below the minimum.
Is this normal and if so do atmospheric conditions affect this reading. It is unseasonably hot now
 
I don't think unseasonably hot ambient temperatures will affect it at all.

I would rely on the HOT side of the dipstick after a 20 minute highway run.
 
alschnertz said:
I don't think unseasonably hot ambient temperatures will affect it at all.

I would rely on the HOT side of the dipstick after a 20 minute highway run.
Click to expand...

The hot side reads Nothing on the dipstick when the car is hot.
Should the readings be consistent depending upon the engine temperature, between the Min Max on the hot side when hot, and between the Min Max on the cold side when the car is cool?
Would there be a problem if the reading is over the cold Max when he car is cool or cold?
 
With the transmission cold and engine off, the level is way up high on the dip stick. If the level doesn't read with the transmission warm and engine running on flat ground, then your fluid level is low. Everything you described is exactly what I'd expect.
 
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OVERDRIVE said:
With the transmission cold and engine off, the level is way up high on the dip stick. If the level doesn't read with the transmission warm and engine running on flat ground, then your fluid level is low. Everything you described is exactly what I'd expect.
Click to expand...
When cold the level is not High, it's 1/2 inch over the max. Don't know if my being exact would make a difference. I thought that both readings should be within their respective tolerances when hot or cold, by design. If not then I'll add more but it looks over filled to me.
 
Cold can kinda be all over the place but 1/2" higher than hot is still lower than I've seen with the correct fluid level. There's a notch on the dip stick an inch or so above the max hot line, it's usually around there if not higher after sitting overnight.
 
It looks like the last part of my post didn't get posted.

After that 20 minute highway ride, set the car level, in PARK or NEUTRAL, engine idling and check the HOT side.
(I'd still rely on the HOT side of the dipstick with the above conditions instead if COLD)
This assumes that you know it is the correct dipstick in that transmission.

Sorry man. That's all I've got but it's based on my shade-tree experience over the years.
 
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alschnertz said:
It looks like the last part of my post didn't get posted.

After that 20 minute highway ride, set the car level, in PARK or NEUTRAL, engine idling and check the HOT side.
(I'd still rely on the HOT side of the dipstick with the above conditions instead if COLD)
This assumes that you know it is the correct dipstick in that transmission.
Click to expand...
Yes.
But I want to make sure that I don't overfill the fluid to prevent damaging the transmission.
 
OntarioMax said:
Yes.
But I want to make sure that I don't overfill the fluid to prevent damaging the transmission.
Click to expand...
It won't damage the transmission, there's a vent which will spit excess fluid out the side of the transmission if you overfill it. Messy and occasionally smoky... Would try to avoid it but should not break anything.

Not sure it's actually designed to do that but it saved me once before.
 
OntarioMax said:
I never knew there was a vent for overfill on the aw70. Which side is the vent on?
Click to expand...
I think it's technically for atmospheric pressure equalization, like the vents on differentials. IIRC it's closer to the right/passenger side? I had ATF smoking off of my exhaust the one time that mine spit fluid.
 
Mine reads correctly. When the car is cold the level indicated is in between the marks on the cold side, when hot it's between the marks on the hot side. His might have a problem.
 
OntarioMax said:
1992 740 GL Non Turbo Automatic

When sitting, the car turned off on level ground
Click to expand...

... is not the way to check the level.

OntarioMax said:
After driving the car, for about 20 minutes, leaving the car running, parked on level ground
Click to expand...

... is the correct way to check the level.

From the 1992 740 owner's manual:

A Cold transmission: oil temperature + 105°F (+40°C).
This is a normal temperature for the transmission after idling for about 10 minutes.
At oil temperature below + 105°F (+40°C), the level may be below the MIN mark.

B Warm transmission: oil temperature + 190°F (+90°C).
This temperature is reached after driving for about 30 minutes.
At oil temperature above +190°f (+90°c), the level may be above the MAX mark.

Check the oil level as follows:

Park the car on level surface with the engine idling.
Slowly move the selector lever through all gear positions and then to position P. Wait 2 minutes before checking the oil level.


transdip.jpg
 
Thanks for posting the graphics.
After reading your information and going through the process you described, I am low, about .5 inches below the min mark, just below the min, after running the car on the freeway, parking, moving through all the gear selections and letting it idle.
How much liquid is that? I know it's not half a quart.
 
1990Volvo740GLNonTurbo said:
How much liquid is that? I know it's not half a quart.
Click to expand...

It will be more than a half.

Again from the owner's manual:

The transmission is topped up via the dipstick tube.
The space between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick corresponds to 0.5 US qt (0.5 liter). Do not fill the transmission with too much oil, since this can result in oil being ejected from the transmission.
 
Khrrck said:
It won't damage the transmission, there's a vent which will spit excess fluid out the side of the transmission if you overfill it. Messy and occasionally smoky... Would try to avoid it but should not break anything.

Not sure it's actually designed to do that but it saved me once before.
Click to expand...
If the transmission is overfilled it can easily push the pump seal right out of the transmission.
 
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