I was checking my trany fluid .. but there is no dip stick. I have a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe 2200 engine. My father called the local dealership and they said that it is factory sealed and that they "chevy" designed it to never be filled up ever, unless it is leaking. Is this true?? If not ... do I have to go to my dealership and have them fill it up when my transmission (automatic) is not shifting properly or haveing a hard time shifting??
Someone please explain this to me and why they did this.
dan
Representing the 810's ... biatch!!
[19:33] Lurch: I am sick of sex! (and you thought it would never happen)
I found out the same thing recently with my car. It makes absolutely no sense to me.. I mean, come on, the fluid is going to go bad eventually.
It is possible to check/add the fluid yourself. It is a semi-complicated procedure though. It involves a check plug on the tranny pan (near the engine oil drain plug). I've never done it myself, so I'll let someone else describe how to do it. Personally, I would recommend that you take it to a trusted tranny mechanic and have them check the fluid level and replace the fluid if needed.
I'm assuming you have the 4-speed auto tranny, right? I do believe that the 3-speed has a dipstick and everything. I don't understand GM's logic with that one lol.
lalalala
I think it is pretty simpile, run the engine untill it is warm.
if you have ever checked the fluid in a rear diff on a rear wheel drive vechile it is exactly the same. Thier is a check plug in the side of the case, pully it out with the car running in park and stick you finger in the hole. If you have fluid on your finger when you pull it out the fluid level is good if not you have to add fluild.
If you need to add fluid thier is a fill plug on top of hte tranny, remove the plug and leave the check plug out. Fill the trans throught he fill plug untill fluid starts running out of the check plug. When the fuild stops running out of the check plug it is full and then reinstall all the plugs.
As far as needing to change the fluid I recommend a taking it to a shop that has flush machine. A have used a few of them and I like the BG flush machine the best I would call around and see who has one. I generaly go by miles as far as changing ATF fluid, I feel 60,000 miles or sooner. I believe you should change your fliud before it looks like it needs it, then your tranny with never have contaminated fluid in it, ever.
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I forgot to mention that you also fill the tranny while the car is running
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Yes, I do have the 4speed automatic. But as far as changing it ... should I even worry about it since I am having no problems??
dan
Representing the 810's ... biatch!!
[19:33] Lurch: I am sick of sex! (and you thought it would never happen)
How many miles does your car have?
lalalala
did you even read my post? Also when you are having problems that is not the time to change it, usually it will make it worse. When its broke it's broke. you should change it before you have problems, its called preventative maintenance.
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while on this topic...our trannys hold like 1.7 quarts right..in a 5 speed if that makes any diffrence..also..is changing it in the manual done the same way?
I believe the 5-speed has an actual dipstick that you can check the level with... I also believe that it is easier to change the fluid in the manual, but i'm not 100% sure.
lalalala
I got a 4speed auto and its got a dip stick. I got just over 50k miles on it and its still a purdy red
~The Confused One~
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Are you sure you don't have the 3-speed tranny? I was under the impression that all of the 4-speed tranny's don't have a dipstick, they have a check plug. Mine certainly doesn't have a dipstick to check the fluid with.
lalalala
Nope its a four speed.
And unless there is some other red fluid that would have a 4 foot dipstick its my tranny.
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^^^ so your shifter is PRN123D? I've never seen a 4t40 with a dip stick only the Js with the 3t40s have dip stick.
The 3t40 is PRN12D.
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Lil' D (sandstorm J) ... from what the dealership told my dad is that the 2002's is when it started to happen.
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How many miles does your car have?
I only have 39k miles on it.
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did you even read my post? Also when you are having problems that is not the time to change it, usually it will make it worse. When its broke it's broke. you should change it before you have problems, its called preventative maintenance.
did you read mine??
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My father called the local dealership and they said that it is factory sealed and that they "chevy" designed it to never be filled up ever, unless it is leaking.
Representing the 810's ... biatch!!
[19:33] Lurch: I am sick of sex! (and you thought it would never happen)
Your tranny fluid is probably ok for another 20k or so miles before you should get the fluid changed. It can go longer, but as jimmythekid1 said, preventative maintence would be good in this case.
My shifter says PRND321, and it is the four speed. The three speed is identical, except that it doesn't have the 3 on the shifter (PRND21). My brother-in-law has a three-speed Z24, and it has a dipstick.
lalalala
I've work for a GM dealer ship, they say a lot of things.
Here is the directions from GM. The dealer will feed you alot of B/S.
The fluid level screw is intended to be used for diagnosing a transaxle fluid leak or resetting the transaxle fluid level after service that involves a loss of fluid.
Inspect
The fluid level should be checked when the transaxle is near Room temperature or at 40°C (104°F) .
CAUTION: Removal of the fluid level screw when the transaxle fluid is hot may cause injury. Use care to avoid contact of transaxle fluid to exhaust pipe.
The engine must be running when the transaxle fluid level screw is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fluid level screw. Have a container ready to capture any lost fluid.
WARNING: Do not turn the engine off with the fluid level screw removed as you can be injured by hot transaxle fluid being expelled out of the fluid check hole.
Let vehicle idle for three to five minutes with accessories off.
Apply brake
Move shift lever through all gear ranges, pausing three seconds in each range.
Place shift lever in Park. Important: Vehicle must be kept level on the hoist.
Raise vehicle on hoist.
Place oil container under fluid level screw.
Remove the fluid level screw with the engine running at idle.
Fluid level should be at the bottom of the fluid check hole. Because the transaxle operates correctly over a range of fluid levels, fluid may or may not drain out of the fluid check hole when the fluid level screw is removed. If fluid drains through the fluid check hole, this transaxle may have been overfilled. When fluid stops draining, the fluid level is correct and the fluid level screw may be installed. If fluid does not drain through the fluid check hole, the transaxle fluid level may be low. Proceed to ADDING TRANSAXLE FLUID.
Install fluid level screw. Tighten 12 N.m (106 lb in)
Lower vehicle.
Shut off engine. Adding Transaxle Fluid: With the engine running, add fluid at the vent cap location in half liter (1 pint) increments until fluid drains through the fluid check hole. Allow the fluid to finish draining through the fluid check hole.
Install fluid level screw. Tighten 12 N.m (106 lb in)
Lower vehicle.
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dargo21 wrote:Your tranny fluid is probably ok for another 20k or so miles before you should get the fluid changed. It can go longer, but as jimmythekid1 said, preventative maintence would be good in this case.
My shifter says PRND321, and it is the four speed. The three speed is identical, except that it doesn't have the 3 on the shifter (PRND21). My brother-in-law has a three-speed Z24, and it has a dipstick.
i read your directory an notice you have a push rod engine (2.2). Maybe the 2.2 with the four speed have a dip stick,to be honest I've only ever seen the 2.4 with the 4 speed maybe that is why you have a dip stick.
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My shifter says PRND21, but the window sticker that was on my car when I bought it says 4 speed (yes, I still have the window sticker lol)
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jimmythekid1 wrote:i read your directory an notice you have a push rod engine (2.2). Maybe the 2.2 with the four speed have a dip stick,to be honest I've only ever seen the 2.4 with the 4 speed maybe that is why you have a dip stick.
The 2.4 is my brother-in-law's, he has the 3 speed tranny, with the dipstick. I have the 2.2 with the 4 speed tranny, and I don't have a dipstick, just the check plug. Just to clear up the confusion.
Sandstorm, it looks like they lied on the window sticker lol. You've got the 3 speed tranny.
lalalala
the 2.4 came in 3 speed trannys???
Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!
99redz24 wrote:the 2.4 came in 3 speed trannys???
Maybe it's a rare combination, but my brother-in-law's certainly has the 3 speed...
lalalala
dargo21 wrote:jimmythekid1 wrote:i read your directory an notice you have a push rod engine (2.2). Maybe the 2.2 with the four speed have a dip stick,to be honest I've only ever seen the 2.4 with the 4 speed maybe that is why you have a dip stick.
The 2.4 is my brother-in-law's, he has the 3 speed tranny, with the dipstick. I have the 2.2 with the 4 speed tranny, and I don't have a dipstick, just the check plug. Just to clear up the confusion.
Sandstorm, it looks like they lied on the window sticker lol. You've got the 3 speed tranny.
yeah i got you confused withthe sand strom guy.
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Hey guys, about how many quarts does it take on the 02 tranny with no dipstick if you have to do a tranny drain with the filter replaced. thanks.
I think it's 4 quarts, i'm not 100% sure though.
Should say in your owners manual. I dont have mine on hand or id look for ya.
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