New question on recent trans service

[TJP440]

yes Wild one I overthink things sometimes . It does consume time b sometimes avoids self induced issues
OK onto the question:
I am wondering if the fluid level needs to be rechecked after a short drive due to the cooler, lines, temperature bypass valve etc.
The trans was drained while cold, and was left overnite with the pan off.
pan installed and filled the next day and again checked / topped off the following day.
It was not driven nor did the trans temp exceed 125F at any time.

My understanding is the bypass valve does not open until it's above 160 degrees or so. With that in mind I shouldn't have to be concerned about the level dropping when it does UNLESS the valve doesn't seal tightly when closed and may have allowed some fluid from the cooler and lines into the pan during it's overnite cold drain.
I really don't want to drive it, park it overnite and repeat the level check circle jerk again.
I really have trouble wrapping my head around this entire mental torture procedure that had to be concocted by someone who hay have had both oars in the water but ONE had a bunch of LARGE holes in it. he was also angry at his mother and the world

Thoughts, comments, experiences, Knowledge ?

 

[Burla]

This is why omitting a dip stick is a game changer,. now the question becomes is it safer to never change the fluid or service it to get fresh fluid. If you opted for the service, I would verify it everytime and yes after some miles, imo.

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[Bigskyroadglide]

I've changed the pan on 2 8 speed ram 1500. Both times after letting the truck get up to temp and after several days of driving, I re checked the fluid level.

I just sold my 16 with 90 k miles on it and the last thing I did before the new owner picked the truck up was check the trans fluid, just to be sure she would not have to pay someone to do it.

My new 2024 1500 classic warlock was under filled by about a half a quart. This was consistent with the diffs and transfer case being under filled.

Yeah, I'd check it again

 

[TJP440]

I've changed the pan on 2 8 speed ram 1500. Both times after letting the truck get up to temp and after several days of driving, I re checked the fluid level.

I just sold my 16 with 90 k miles on it and the last thing I did before the new owner picked the truck up was check the trans fluid, just to be sure she would not have to pay someone to do it.

My new 2024 1500 classic warlock was under filled by about a half a quart. This was consistent with the diffs and transfer case being under filled.

Yeah, I'd check it again

After changing the trans fluid and driving it did you have to add fluid?

I also found the same low levels on the front and rear differentials as well as the transfer case. mine is a 2014 with 65K. I don't believe they were ever serviced. I beginning to believe they do a fill at some point on the line and the level may drop a slight amount once put into service due to the fluids getting spread around

 

[TJP440]

Took it out for a good run cycling all gears up down and sideways.
trans temp stayed at ~ 185 in 75-80 degree heat.
will likely recheck the level just to amuse myself and because the burns are healing nicely . Can't say I looked at it before but I'm guessing this is typical ?

 

[Wild one]

yes Wild one I overthink things sometimes . It does consume time b sometimes avoids self induced issues
OK onto the question:
I am wondering if the fluid level needs to be rechecked after a short drive due to the cooler, lines, temperature bypass valve etc.
The trans was drained while cold, and was left overnite with the pan off.
pan installed and filled the next day and again checked / topped off the following day.
It was not driven nor did the trans temp exceed 125F at any time.

My understanding is the bypass valve does not open until it's above 160 degrees or so. With that in mind I shouldn't have to be concerned about the level dropping when it does UNLESS the valve doesn't seal tightly when closed and may have allowed some fluid from the cooler and lines into the pan during it's overnite cold drain.
I really don't want to drive it, park it overnite and repeat the level check circle jerk again.
I really have trouble wrapping my head around this entire mental torture procedure that had to be concocted by someone who hay have had both oars in the water but ONE had a bunch of LARGE holes in it. he was also angry at his mother and the world

Thoughts, comments, experiences, Knowledge ?

It's never a bad idea to check it again,after a drive cycle.

 

[TJP440]

I'm in no way disagreeing with you but can't see where a shop or dealership would go through all of the BS and then add a test drive, cool down, and recheck. The "process" also doesn't mention it but I will likely do so.
If so I'll report back for others benefit.
Just once I wish I could get my hands on the morons that came up with this BS. (the reason for the angry smilie)

 

[Wild one]

I'm in no way disagreeing with you but can't see where a shop or dealership would go through all of the BS and then add a test drive, cool down, and recheck. The "process" also doesn't mention it but I will likely do so.
If so I'll report back for others benefit.
Just once I wish I could get my hands on the morons that came up with this BS. (the reason for the angry smilie)

It's not wrote in stone about rechecking it,but it's usually never a bad idea to recheck it. No differant then changing oil,most guys usually pull the dipstick after starting it,and recheck the oil level,
Personally i've never had one need more fluid,but that doesn't mean i don't check it,i figure it's better to be safe and know,then sorryIt cost me a pile of money and labour to get those green sheet instructions,as "brand new" 8 speeds from the dealer don't come cheap,and they aren't all that nice to change on a 4X4, flat on your back on a driveway
After blowing up one 8 speed at the track,i've since been a bit religous on changing fluid in them. When i was racing the truck and the wife was racing her 1320,both got the fluid changed in them at the start of race season every year.Yea it wasn't cheap or easy,but it was a hell'va lot cheaper and easier to change fluid in them,then it was to change transmissionsInstalling PPE pans on both,made it easy and alot cheaper to change fluid in them,as the filter is relatively cheap for the PPE pans,and is an easy swap,no having to buy a new transmission pan on a yearly basis

 

[EdGs]

+1 on the full warmup ride with a cooldown and recheck. I did this on my 8 speed, and I believe it took a little more fluid after, perhaps 8 oz?

It is a bit of a pain to set it up again for a recheck, but I know the engineer in you will bug you unless you are sure it's right. And there's nothing wrong with that, either.

P.S. Don't forget to close one eye, turn around, scratch your butt, stand on your head..........lol

 

[Burla]

I'm sure I dont wanna know, but how does one verify only 8 ounces is needed. Rick, you gotta a one page process for that? @Wild one

When you don't have a dip stick, try a super hero? You can borrow this guy...

 

[Wild one]

+1 on the full warmup ride with a cooldown and recheck. I did this on my 8 speed, and I believe it took a little more fluid after, perhaps 8 oz?

It is a bit of a pain to set it up again for a recheck, but I know the engineer in you will bug you unless you are sure it's right. And there's nothing wrong with that, either.

P.S. Don't forget to close one eye, turn around, scratch your butt, stand on your head..........lol

Don't forget all the new words you got to use,that you only use when working on something that burns your hands and arms

 

[Wild one]

I'm sure I dont wanna know, but how does one verify only 8 ounces is needed. Rick, you gotta a one page process for that? @Wild one

When you don't have a dip stick, try a super hero? You can borrow this guy...

View attachment 567403

That could be a number of things Mike,the 2 that come to mind,are the pan being a bit more level,or a differance in the checking temp etc..By the 2nd time around,you're better/quicker at it,so odds are the transmission isn't quite as warm on the recheck.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

It's not wrote in stone about rechecking it,but it's usually never a bad idea to recheck it. No differant then changing oil,most guys usually pull the dipstick after starting it,and recheck the oil level,
Personally i've never had one need more fluid,but that doesn't mean i don't check it,i figure it's better to be safe and know,then sorryIt cost me a pile of money and labour to get those green sheet instructions,as "brand new" 8 speeds from the dealer don't come cheap,and they aren't all that nice to change on a 4X4, flat on your back on a driveway
After blowing up one 8 speed at the track,i've since been a bit religous on changing fluid in them. When i was racing the truck and the wife was racing her 1320,both got the fluid changed in them at the start of race season every year.Yea it wasn't cheap or easy,but it was a hell'va lot cheaper and easier to change fluid in them,then it was to change transmissionsInstalling PPE pans on both,made it easy and alot cheaper to change fluid in them,as the filter is relatively cheap for the PPE pans,and is an easy swap,no having to buy a new transmission pan on a yearly basis

I compared the one piece plastic pan and integrated filter 68233701AA with the metal pan 68362041AC with replaceable filter 68417054AB and they look dimensionally the same. If the metal pan and replaceable filter bolts up, I will go with that. Just ordered 7 quarts of ZF Lifeguard 8 at $13.70 each. I don't see a need to go with anything else at that price.

 

[TJP440]

I'm sure I dont wanna know, but how does one verify only 8 ounces is needed. Rick, you gotta a one page process for that? @Wild one

When you don't have a dip stick, try a super hero? You can borrow this guy...

View attachment 567403

You guys keep mentioning a dip stick
What are they and what are they used for

Answer: Flogging the out of the J/O's that eliminated them on these transmissions

 

[EdGs]

I wonder how they fill the trans when they build the vehicle that it goes in.

Does the trans have a prefill, and the mfr. just add the remainder for a full system?

Perhaps they spin the trans and add the remainder to the complete cooling system?

 

[Wild one]

I wonder how they fill the trans when they build the vehicle that it goes in.

Does the trans have a prefill, and the mfr. just add the remainder for a full system?

Perhaps they spin the trans and add the remainder to the complete cooling system?

The trans comes prefilled,and very few dealers ever check it,if they even do a pre-check on the vehicles,so as far as i can tell,the majority of 8 speeds are running around a bit low on fluid,same as the diffs and transfer cases,they ship low on fluid,and it's usually the owner that discovers that fact,if they do their own servicing. The cars are even worse then the trucks for being shipped low on diff fluid

 

[EdGs]

The trans comes prefilled,and very few dealers ever check it,if they even do a pre-check on the vehicles,so as far as i can tell,the majority of 8 speeds are running around a bit low on fluid,same as the diffs and transfer cases,they ship low on fluid,and it's usually the owner that discovers that fact,if they do their own servicing. The cars are even worse then the trucks for being shipped low on diff fluid

It would seem to be relatively easy to top off while it's coming down the line. Pretty dumb to leave it low, but I'm not surprised, either.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

It would seem to be relatively easy to top off while it's coming down the line. Pretty dumb to leave it low, but I'm not surprised, either.

When I worked at an Infinity dealership, we did a real PDI (pre delivery inspection) and one of the lead mechanics said all the vehicles came in low on fluids. Same as when he worked at Nissan. His theory was Nissan saved a little money on fluids, multiplied by the hundreds of vehicles sold, and it added up to significant savings. We were a very reputable shop, so everything was brought up to spec before being sold.

 

[Wild one]

It would seem to be relatively easy to top off while it's coming down the line. Pretty dumb to leave it low, but I'm not surprised, either.

The truck has to be startable though,and i think they stick the transmission into them when it's just a bare frame yet,so checking it on the line,probably isn't really feasable.

 

[TJP440]

They know exactly how much fluid is going to be required in ALL of the axles, transfer cases transmissions, engines, cooling systems etc. It is more than likely a cost saving thing as mentioned. there is absolutely NO WAY they would go through this BS
Having worked on the line in my early days, a pre-determined amount of fluid was automatically dispensed as the cars went down the line. Back then and individual would shove a nozzle etc. in, pull the handle, when it stopped out it came and onto the next.
Likely done by robot now. They were running 56 cars an hour so there wasn't a lot of time at the work stations along the line unless you had a lot of seniority. Then you could sit and wait for the next car.