Transmission fluid explosion

[laserfrog]

Hi, I own a 1992 Plymouth laser, with a 1.8liter automatic transmission. Today I ran into a problem, I just got back from lunch, and was planning a 3 hour trip after work, so i went to check things out under the hood. I pulled the dipstick on the transmission, and Wooooooosh, the transmission fluid went spraying out completely covering me from head to toe in transmission fluid.

I knew the fluid level had been full, but i haven't had time to drain and refill it, but it acted like there was pressure in the transmission, I got home from work and it did it again. I drained the fluid about 6-8 quarts, but it only took 2 to fill it back up to the full mark again.

So i guess my question is, where is the vent? on top of the transmission I have a flared end of tubing that comes straight up just on the firewall side of the transmission cooler hoses.

Please any advice would help.
Thanks,
Kris

 

[blackbyrd]

You had entirely too much fluid. The max fluid(including torque convertor) for the F4A22 is 6.4quarts. About 3quarts of that is going to be retained in your torque converter and can't be drained unless you remove it. So you should've only been able to drain 3-3.5qt, not 6-8.....
Automatic transaxles are very funny about the amount of fluid they have, too little or too much can cause problems.
How are you checking it?
Run the car to normal operating temperature, place it on a COMPLETELY level surface, then move your gear selector through all of the gears, and back into N(you might want to put on the parking brake just for insurance, but if you can roll in N you arent on a flat surface at all or theres one hell of a windstorm). Then check the fluid level, make sure its at the top marking for Hot, not above, not too below.

 

[laserfrog]

Thanks for the input. that 6-8 quarts is what i drained from the tranny, i knew that was too much, when I added fluid, I only added 2 quarts, and it still looks to be too much. Today I am going to drain some more out today, get it down to the full mark. and test drive it. If it slips, i guess i will have to add more.

Another though I had, was that the transmission had been rebuilt, but maybee the wrong dipstick was put into it, so it is fine, but the dipstick is reading wrong.

If I were to take a picture of the dipstick, would anyone be able to identify it as being the correct one?

Thanks again,
Kris

 

[blackbyrd]

Probably, Take a picture, I'll see if I can match it up.
Keep in mind it can slip with too much fluid. How accurate are your measurements? If you really believe you only have 2qts in there, that is too low. Did you get it nice and hot before you drained it? Did you give it more then enough time to drain? And make sure you check it like I stated above, it's really the best way to get an accurate reading off the AT. They are a PIA to get a good reading.
Are you having problems with it slipping? You mentioned something to that extent.
Did you open and drain out of both the drain plugs? One seems to be a little lower then the other. And, no I have no idea why there's two drain bolts on the oil pan, haha.

 

[laserfrog]

HI,
I didn't realize the transmission had 2 drain plugs, are they both on the pan? No I haven't had a problem with it slipping, they told me at advance auto that if it started slipping i needed to add more.

I will take that picture and post it in a few minutes, I will also take a picture of what I think is the VENT, and if you or anyone can verify that for me.

Thanks,
Kris

 

[laserfrog]

okay, the top pic is my dipstick, the bottom is what I believe is my transmission vent

 

[blackbyrd]

, they told me at advance auto that if it started slipping i needed to add more.

Haha, yeah I bet that's what the guy before you thought too. Please take there advice with a grain of salt, they are not mechanics in any way, and do not work on your cars, and in most the time not on cars in general. It's just a job to them and requires no previous experience.

I include a picture of the dipstick I found in my manual. I haven't had enough time with the F4A22 to know it that well(Normally worked on the W4A33, which dipstick is completely different). So thats one of the best pictures I can find. I might come across another one or someone else who knows can pitch in. But it does look very similar

Also here's a simi-decent picture of the oil drain bolts. One located on the housing, ones on the pan. If you cant find it let me know maybe later today I can take a picture.

And as far as that plug there, that again must be specific to the F4A22. I'll look through the a/t manuals later today and see if I can't figure out what it is for you.

Good Luck!

UPDATE: I did a quick search and couldn't find any pictures ID'ing it. I include a picture of all the external hookups on the transmission. I also included a quote from the manual, where it mentions "transmission vent". Again, I no I'm not really verifying it, but at least trying to help you out. I'll look more later today or maybe someone else will chime in.

Good Luck!

 

[laserfrog]

well, i drained the transmission again, using the other plug and the drainpan plug. I got about 2-3 quarts out, and added back in 3 quarts, it put it above full on the dipstick, but i am pretty sure now that the dipstick is not the right one for the transmission. However after driving it around, I checked the fluid level, and it was about the same. So i got in the car drove it home, pulled the dipstick when I got home, and it did the same thing. the pressure was so great in there, that the transmission fluid exploded all over, I looked in the hole, and there was fluid coming all the way to the top of the fill hole.

I don't know, something is wrong with the pressure issue.

THis is a new thing, i have taken the dipstick out a few times before to check it, and there was no back pressure.

If anyone has any advice please let me know.
Thanks,
Kris

 

[laserfrog]

okay, well I made it to the dealership on my lunch hour and ordered a new transmission dipstick, I am now 100% sure the dipstick is wrong, I am going to replace it tomorrow, and hopefully take care of that problem