Keep watch on your trans fluid. a lesson learned.

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Originally Posted by vt_maverick

Okay maybe this is a dumb question, but I thought we didn't have a tranny dipstick? Our Axiom has one right behind the oil dipstick, but no such luck on the VX. How do you check it without a dipstick?

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Originally Posted by tom4bren

Check plug on tranny.

Pull the plug & if some runs out - you got enough. If none runs out, add till it does dribble out.

Careful though, there are 2 plugs. One (the lower one) is for draining the tranny fluid and the other (higher one) is for adding/checking fluid level.

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Originally Posted by Ebenezr

But turn the vehicle on in nuetral with the brake. then release the upper pan bolt. It will dump a whole quart if the engine is off. If nothing comes out then pump tran fluid in with a hand pump.

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It's a LITTLE more complicated than just 1-2-3...:_wrench:

Pay attention to the temp range specified.

Here's the whole procedure...

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/fluid1.png

FWIW, you can get a cheap temp scanner at harbor freight for under $20.-

Thank you L-Dub for the definitive instructions. Good information indeed.

:bgwb:

Transmission is fixed!!!! Yay. And I sense a big difference. It engages instantly from park to D or R. Before there were up to 3 seconds delays!!

Yay! I'm happy to hear you're back in business!

Yup, me too. Took the VX to a real mechanic for the very first time in 5 years of ownership. They had to Helicoil 3 bolt holes (:mbrasd:) to fix the leak. They changed gaskets for both pans, did my selector shaft seal and accumulator piston cover as well, just to cover all the bases. Drip free!!!!!!

:_beer:

Bart

Wow... I'm confused. I have a transmission dipstick on mine! Been using the tube to top up the trans. now and again. It's the 3.2 engine, so I'm wondering if it's a different type of trans. entirely ..... or just something that was on the 3.2? :confused::confused:

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Originally Posted by deermagnet

Everyone please get your trans fluid changed every 30-40K miles or sooner. Mine trans has been PM'd six times and it shifts like new at 251K miles. I had it done at 46-82-118-151-185-226K miles.

At the same time change the fluid in the transfer case, both diffs, and the power steering. Anyone buying a VX should have this done right away. You never know when the previous owner had it done or if it was ever done.

And don't drive it like ya stole it if ya want these systems to last trouble free. :yesy:

Mark

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Right on! :yeso:

Thanks Mark!

Does that mean its easier to change the fluid? Can I just drain it from underneath and refill via the dipstick tube?
Also, am I right in thinking I should check the level with the engine running?
Thanks!

No drips=good thing. Question who do you trust enough , too allow there hands on your.......love ~ In Reno ?

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Originally Posted by last ride

No drips=good thing. Question who do you trust enough , too allow there hands on your.......love ~ In Reno ?

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First of all, wait a sec, where are you?!?!?!? If you are in Reno, how come we haven't met up yet???? PM me, we should get together for lunch. Did you just buy your Ebony from BBBEAST? I know he was selling his a couple months back.

Secondly, I took my VX to Leveret Transmission, 4th and Wells, from what I can tell they did a great job! I was nervous, seriously nervous, but my VX is back, drip free and shifting smooth as ice cream!

Bart

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

Took the VX to a real mechanic for the very first time in 5 years of ownership. They had to Helicoil 3 bolt holes (:mbrasd:) to fix the leak. They changed gaskets for both pans, did my selector shaft seal and accumulator piston cover as well, just to cover all the bases. Drip free!!!!!!

:_beer:

Bart

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

Secondly, I took my VX to Leveret Transmission, 4th and Wells, from what I can tell they did a great job! I was nervous, seriously nervous, but my VX is back, drip free and shifting smooth as ice cream!

Bart

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I hear that Bro...:yes:

I just took Suzy in for a flush after checking the fluid level before the road trip to S C & finding the fluid color to be more brown than red :(.
First time in a LONG time wrenches other than mine have touched her nether regions.
I got lucky on the first roll of the die.
Whenever I need something I can't wrench for myself, which is becoming more prevalent as my tolerance for crawling around "under there" diminishes, I bust out the yellow pgs & Angies list, then start the interview process.

When I find one that sounds reasonably intelligent on the telly, I go in & conduct a personal interview.
Right from the moment I get there, they know FOR SURE that THEY are being interviewed for a VERRRY important position, & how VITAL it is that they are on exactly the same page as I am.
As far as I'm concerned, whether it be a lawyer, doctor, dentist, or auto tech...if I'm giving you $, you work for me.

Also, I INSISTED that their most experienced tech do the work.

When I had Suzys vital red juices flushed, they asked me to leave her there & they'd gimme a ride to wherever I wanted to go...uh, NO, I don't think so, was the answer.

After my initial conversation with the tech doing the work, he came out to the waiting room twice to ask me 4L30E related questions, & even said, & I quote: "you probably know more about these things than I do", and also brought me back under the lift so I could clarify this or that & get his input on external trans coolers etc.

In the end, all went well & we made the trip with no mech difficulties.

But now that she's got fresh red juice, I'm kinda tempted to drop the pan & replace her filter.:yesgray:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

First time in a LONG time wrenches other than mine have touched her nether regions. :eek::eek: PERV!



When I had Suzys vital red juices flushed, .....whatcha doing, having her embalmed? ...hmmmm....we all pretty much want to keep 'em forever...maybe that's an idea...:_thinking:slap:


After my initial conversation with the tech doing the work, he came out to the waiting room twice to ask me 4L30E related questions, & even said, & I quote: "you probably know more about these things than I do",
:thumbup:....I've gotten that comment EVERY time I've EVER stepped onto a car lot and talked to ANY salesperson. :rollo:....and I've told them they were right!

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Very refreshing to hear you found a place that's so receptive and easy to work with.....seems that's mighty rare these days :thumbup:
Wanna come to AZ and talk ABS sensors and CV boot replacement with my guy?? :rollo:

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Originally Posted by VX KAT

Very refreshing to hear you found a place that's so receptive and easy to work with.....seems that's mighty rare these days :thumbup:
Wanna come to AZ and talk ABS sensors and CV boot replacement with my guy?? :rollo:

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That offer will be mighty tempting about mid Jan...:yesgray:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

That offer will be mighty tempting about mid Jan...:yesgray:

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invites open buddy! ....ya know,... you'll pass right by the Grand Canyon!!! it's a real purdy site to see!

Well sorry to bring you two down from your dreaming...but the Grand Canyon is awfully far away both in time and space.:yeso: but you want to hear something funny. Now this takes great courage for me to say cause it is embarassing but since my trans has been rebuilt it now has a 4th gear I never knew existed. Yes I do believe I always topped out in 3rd and just stayed there ....for the past 10 months I have owned it. I thought some guy had it wrong talking in a thread about a 4th gear....I thought what is he smoking...I only have a 3 speed. I never really questioned it till I just checked the manual and it talks about a "4th" gear. I wondered why it never wanted to go much past 60-65 without really pushing it. Now it hits 70 with ease. Ah ha ha ha huh huh. :o:_iamwiths this sign says "I am stupid" but happy. :snooz: