ATF question

[tashtego]

Good afternoon folks, or good morning, or good evening, depending on where you are on the globe.

My ATF level stick is a conundrum. When the engine is cold it reads above the HOT notch/mark. When it's hot it reads WELL above the HOT notch/mark. Never below hot, even when engine is stone cold.
The transmission works fine and smooth,it had nice red atf fluid when I bought it (and it still has) so never bothered changing it...done probably 40000 Km since then with no probs.
Is the system too full?
I have tried shifting to the gears etc, but it never reads below the hot notch...
Cheers

[KERRSURF]

First off, is it the correct dipstick? Needs checking.
Is there any damage to the dipstick guide, like the top inch or so missing.

If these are ok then yeh it sounds as though it's been overfilled.

Easy fix though.

[BUSHWHACKER]

You're not checking the level with the engine running.

[tashtego]

Thank you for that.
The guide looks fine, tapered end and no bits missing. The stopper (the bit you pull up from) is red plastic and fits nicely in the pipe,it has a little springy metal flap to keep it in place...I am assuming its the original dipstick...

They must have overfilled it in Japan coz I never touched the Autobox.

If I drain the autobox when cold and then refill with 4L of ATF, would that fix it?
Thanks, much appreciated.

[tashtego]

You're not checking the level with the engine running.

Well, I have tried with the engine running too, but its always well above the hot mark.

Thanks

[BUSHWHACKER]

Well, I have tried with the engine running too, but its always well above the hot mark.

Thanks

Thought you might say that.

So how come the input shaft seals on the transmission haven't blown after 40000kms?

[tashtego]

Thought you might say that.

So how come the input shaft seals on the transmission haven't blown after 40000kms?

Yep, exactly...just what I was thinking...lol
As it happens I find changing the oil and filter enough of a challenge

Autoboxes are a total mystery to me. However it puzzles me that whenever I check, whether the engine is running or not, and whether it's cold, tepid or hot, the thing always reads well above hot...???

Cheers

[tashtego]

Well I've found this:

“All Automatic Models: The dipstick for the auto box has min & max markings in two places to indicate the correct levels when either hot or cold. When the gearbox is cold you clearly use the 'cold' markings, however these should be for reference only, as to obtain correct readings, the level should be checked when hot.
If you have driven over 16km (24km in frigid temperatures) and the fluid temperature is 70-80oC, the gearbox is hot. If it has just been driven for a long time at high speed or in city traffic in hot weather, or if it has been pulling a trailer, an accurate fluid level cannot be obtained. Check it after it has been allowed to cool for about 30 minutes. The method for actually checking the level is the same regardless of the temperature of the gearbox. Start the engine, with both handbrake and footbrake firmly applied move the gear selector to each setting in turn. Leave in in each setting for a few seconds before moving to the next position, return to Park. Leaving the engine running and the selector in Park, remove the dipstick, wipe clean and reinsert to check the fluid level using the appropriate temperature marking on the dipstick. The gearbox is filled/topped up thru the dipstick tube, there is no separate filling point.
If the fluid is black, or burnt smelling it should be changed.”

So I'll take a day off work and try it out

Thanks chaps