Had some quotes on getting a transmission dipstick fitted

private9 · 05-06-2007, 12:04 AM

Hi All,

Just thought I'd post this up for anyone that's thought about having a transmission dipstick added to their AU.

Phoned around some transmission places for prices on getting my spare trans swapped into the AU. While I was at it, I also asked about getting a dipstick added to the trans.

Well, most places won't touch this with a 40 foot pole, but of the few that would do it, they quoted $500 plus, apparently it's a fairly difficult mod.

For that price, I think I'll wait till the new tranny goes pop, and whack an EF one in!

XEESP_351 · 05-06-2007, 12:10 AM

Do no why they removed the dipstick and just went to the filler plug design after EFII? Was it because to many dipsticks where filling them up with the wrong tranny fluid?

**Mechan1k** · 05-06-2007, 12:10 AM

It's not an easy job to do.

I just replace my fluid and filter every 20,000km for piece of mind ... I found not too long ago it wasn't grabbing a gear in the cold mornings ... fluid was a tad low ... topped it up at my mechanics (due to adding my trans cooler back in the system and not topping the fluid up at the time).

Once you have put the correct fluid in the box though ... it should stay at that level as it is a sealed unit.

Only time the fluid drops though is when you have a leak ... and if that's the case ... it need urgent attention.

It's better to fill through the side on overfill the auto (BAD) ... as have heard people with the EF box fill it from the dipstick and overfill it ... cause over pressurisation in the auto and killing them.

**Mechan1k** · 05-06-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr t-series

Do no why they removed the dipstick and just went to the filler plug design after EFII? Was it because to many dipsticks where filling them up with the wrong tranny fluid?

That ... and overfilling them via the dispstick ... causing premature transmission failure as well.

private9 · 05-06-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

It's not an easy job to do.

I just replace my fluid and filter every 20,000km for piece of mind ... I found not too long ago it wasn't grabbing a gear in the cold mornings ... fluid was a tad low ... topped it up at my mechanics (due to adding my trans cooler back in the system and not topping the fluid up at the time).

Once you have put the correct fluid in the box though ... it should stay at that level as it is a sealed unit.

Only time the fluid drops though is when you have a leak ... and if that's the case ... it need urgent attention.

It's better to fill through the side on overfill the auto (BAD) ... as have heard people with the EF box fill it from the dipstick and overfill it ... cause over pressurisation in the auto and killing them.

Yeah, true what you say. We only do about 10000kms a year in the AU so it's no big issue, but just thought it might be good to look into while the tranny is being swapped, didn't quite realise it was such a big job.

I will never be checking or topping up the fluid myself from under the car, so thought a dipstick might be handy.

Funny that you mention the over filling, I think every car I've bought has had the transmission over filled when I've bought them!

FGII-XR6 · 05-06-2007, 12:27 AM

if geting a new tranny go to a place that does cabs they do exchange ones with dipsticks in the cabs and don't charge much extra

GK · 05-06-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

It's not an easy job to do.
I found not too long ago it wasn't grabbing a gear in the cold mornings ... fluid was a tad low ... topped it up at my mechanics (due to adding my trans cooler back in the system and not topping the fluid up at the time).

I just started to get this problem in the morning last week. Right after the auto had a full flush. I need to get it back to them for some more fluid added I reckon.

Cheers,

GK

**Mechan1k** · 05-06-2007, 01:45 AM

yeah ... I suspect your issue would be a slightly low fluid level ... only happens when dead cold in the morning though.

robbo_yobbo · 05-06-2007, 02:06 AM

dude, you can get an EF/EL tranny for around $350 from a wrecker, maybe even less if you shop around, $500 seems like a raw deal in comparison.

private9 · 05-06-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

if geting a new tranny go to a place that does cabs they do exchange ones with dipsticks in the cabs and don't charge much extra

Tried a few cab places - If the tranny is being recoed by them, then it's not as much to add the dipstick at the same time as they already have the casing apart, but if they're not pulling down the tranny for reco, they still apparently have to partially dismantle it anyway.

Mind you the rest of their pricing is awesome - $280 to swap in my trans & converter, including oil & filter kit - can't ask for a better price than that anywhere!

private9 · 05-06-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo_yobbo

dude, you can get an EF/EL tranny for around $350 from a wrecker, maybe even less if you shop around, $500 seems like a raw deal in comparison.

EF11 onwards don't have the disptick.

Agree with you 100% on getting an EF trans instead but I already have an EL trans which has just been recoed.

FGII-XR6 · 05-06-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

EF11 onwards don't have the disptick.

Agree with you 100% on getting an EF trans instead but I already have an EL trans which has just been recoed.

i had a 97 EL with the original tranny and it had the dipstick and i have seen a few others with one too

private9 · 05-06-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

i had a 97 EL with the original tranny and it had the dipstick and i have seen a few others with one too

Interesting! General consensus seems to be that EF2 onwards didn't have it, but maybe that's wrong. Or, given the age of EF/EL's now it's quite possible that a second hand tranny from an EF had been fitted.

FGII-XR6 · 05-06-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

Interesting! General consensus seems to be that EF2 onwards didn't have it, but maybe that's wrong. Or, given the age of EF/EL's now it's quite possible that a second hand tranny from an EF had been fitted.

I was the 2nd owner of mine and I know the first owner and it was the original tranny and it was the last of the ELs so maybe some did and some didn't

:

private9 · 05-06-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

I was the 2nd owner of mine and I know the first owner and it was the original tranny and it was the last of the ELs so maybe some did and some didn't

:

Well you've just destroyed my theory then!

JC · 05-06-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

i had a 97 EL with the original tranny and it had the dipstick and i have seen a few others with one too

I've got a 97 EL and it's got the dipstick too. Looks exactly the same as the one on the NC box sitting in my garage waiting to go in (when the EL trannie dies - it's already whining in all gears).

RG · 05-06-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

I was the 2nd owner of mine and I know the first owner and it was the original tranny and it was the last of the ELs so maybe some did and some didn't

:

Don't know what's going on there because the auto dipstick was definitely deleted for the EFII as Ford got sick of all the warranty claims from morons who overfilled their trannys.

private9 · 06-06-2007, 12:07 AM

Maybe it was phased out?

Bushbasher · 06-06-2007, 10:28 AM

Maybe the stock controller wasn't rotating the stock properly and a container load got left down the back by mistake and all the new stock kept getting sat in front of it, and it was only found when they were clearing all the old E series parts ready for AU production.

Or maybe when they got to the bottom of the tranny barrel they found a few EF trannys stuck in the corners that only fell out when the barrel was turned upside down and given a bash.

Bushbasher

06-06-2007, 10:49 AM

From what I've heard about sealed 4 speeds, you need fill the transmission till it starts spilling, then start the car and accellerate into 4th, then top up again. Many places are too lazy to do this and when the torque converter tries to lock up the fluid is too low.

FGII-XR6 · 06-06-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

Maybe the stock controller wasn't rotating the stock properly and a container load got left down the back by mistake and all the new stock kept getting sat in front of it, and it was only found when they were clearing all the old E series parts ready for AU production.

Or maybe when they got to the bottom of the tranny barrel they found a few EF trannys stuck in the corners that only fell out when the barrel was turned upside down and given a bash.

Bushbasher

that makes some sense mine was one of the last ELs so the "preparing for the AU" idea might fit

private9 · 06-06-2007, 12:16 PM

Funny, I've had 2 hybrid EL's - ie late 98 the absolute last of EL's and neither with a dipstick. Have had an EF1 with a dipstick, and my cousin has a DF2 without!

robbo_yobbo · 06-06-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

Maybe the stock controller wasn't rotating the stock properly and a container load got left down the back by mistake and all the new stock kept getting sat in front of it, and it was only found when they were clearing all the old E series parts ready for AU production.

Or maybe when they got to the bottom of the tranny barrel they found a few EF trannys stuck in the corners that only fell out when the barrel was turned upside down and given a bash.

Bushbasher

My car is a hybrid all 0ver so this wouldnt surprise me.

when I got my car it was an AU1 but had a high series bonnet +grill, and au2 smartshield bem+ecu+dash, but used au 1 style keys +remote with an EL coilpack + EL fuel filter connections. this was the last of the AU1s so im guessing they were using up exess stock here too?

private9 · 06-06-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo_yobbo

My car is a hybrid all 0ver so this wouldnt surprise me.

when I got my car it was an AU1 but had a high series bonnet +grill, and au2 smartshield bem+ecu+dash, but used au 1 style keys +remote with an EL coilpack + EL fuel filter connections. this was the last of the AU1s so im guessing they were using up exess stock here too?

Good lord! That's quite a combo you've got there! With high series sheetmetal on an AU1 I'm assuming you've got a Fairmont/Ghia?

FGII-XR6 · 06-06-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo_yobbo

My car is a hybrid all 0ver so this wouldnt surprise me.

when I got my car it was an AU1 but had a high series bonnet +grill, and au2 smartshield bem+ecu+dash, but used au 1 style keys +remote with an EL coilpack + EL fuel filter connections. this was the last of the AU1s so im guessing they were using up exess stock here too?

it can't have a smartshield bem with old style keys and remotes the car wont start. Smartshield requires the transponder key to start and the remotes are totaly different and not interchangable

robbo_yobbo · 06-06-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

it can't have a smartshield bem with old style keys and remotes the car wont start. Smartshield requires the transponder key to start and the remotes are totaly different and not interchangable

It was definiteley the S2 BEM, I know coz it caused huge problems when I replaced the ECU swapped (coz of a VCT engine change) and the Auto Electrician was trying to sort out the problem for hours. the problem was caused coz the new ECU was an S1 (which at that stage is what we thought the original one was) and it wouldnt work with the S2 BEM that was in, so I ended up having to swap all the wiring looms and get an S1 BEM and ignition instead.

As far as the keys go though, It has the bigger sized keys (the S2s have smaller keys from what Ive seen) and the remote is the black 2 button remote same as the E series, not like the s2/3 which have the blue and red buttons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

Good lord! That's quite a combo you've got there! With high series sheetmetal on an AU1 I'm assuming you've got a Fairmont/Ghia?

It's a forte (was a forte), not the farmont ghia. but now the only thing original about the car is the chassis it was built on, Ive swapped out pretty much everything else!