84 automatic, no leaking, nothing, dropped the pan, cleaned it up , new filter etc , checked the haynes manual for the specific amount to add (4 quarts with a pan drop) , added that amount, drive about 100 miles over the next few days, checked the dipstick while at operating temperature after a trip, while in park idling, dipstick is completely bare besides a small bead on the very bottom?
You have transmission fluid lines that run to the radiator in front. Maybe you have a puddle under the radiator, or you could have a leak that only happens while the car is moving.
It's unlikely, but check for oil in the coolant......maybe the transmission line that is inside the radiator is leaking.
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 06-01-2016).]
i'll check for the puddle you mentioned, though i know i dont have a leak while moving because i've driven around a parking lot in the same small pattern looking for such things, thank you for your input i appreciate it
Did you check the level after you serviced the transmission before your 100 mile trip? Was it ok at that time? Just because the Haynes manual spec'd 4 quarts doesn't mean that's what its going to take. You still need to check for proper level when the transmission is warmed up. Add the appropriate amount to get the level correct when warm and recheck it again in another 100 miles. If it goes low again, you have a leak somewhere. If it doesn't, then there is no problem.
....checked the dipstick again and while cold it reads full at the perfect level?
And that tells you next to nothing... other than the fact that yes, you have fluid in the tranny.
As already mentioned... the fluid level is checked in an automatic tranny when it's warmed up and the engine is running (and also after the gear selector has been shifted into every "gear" for several seconds).
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-01-2016).]
"the haynes manual for the specific amount to add (4 quarts with a pan drop)" is BS spec and means little to nothing. Worse, filter change that only replaces ~4q is worthless. Trans and coolant lines in Fiero holes ~9-10q but you never get all of it by adding drain to TC or using my method. (See my Cave, Automatic) (Adding TC drain isn't a good plan for most people. If leaks can empty the trans.)
Engine running. Check level and fill to dip stick full when trans is hot. If cold then use add 1 pint as full because trans oil Will "grow" from heat then check again after driving. Overfill can cause foaming which can cause same problems as low oil level. Poor shifting etc.
IF leaking the oil drops/puddles will show where very soon. If slow leak then look at trans and oil lines.
quote
Originally posted by Gall757: It's unlikely, but check for oil in the coolant......maybe the transmission line that is inside the radiator is leaking.
When that happens, you often have coolant in the oil. Very easy to see when trans oil is bad and likely kill the trans too.
Oil coolant lines have X PSI when Engine is running. (I don't find exact PSI in a quick look at FSM.) Coolant system is 0-16PSI depending how bad the coolant leak is. Will have pressure after shutdown until leak lets pressure out or system cools enough.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Are you Talking about the trany or engine oil, because that is what the manual calls for, for an oil change and even that is wrong, its supposed to be 4.5 quart I believe anyway, even in the original owners manual they got it wrong if I remember right, the other guys will chine in if I am wrong about that but I always end up with half a quart of oil I leave in the car for those just in case times. Trany fluid can be anywhere from 4 quarts to a few gallons, oil you do not ever check with the engine running, trany fluid you do.
And Oh Ya
Welcome aboard,
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 06-01-2016).]
Originally posted by 84fiero123: Are you Talking about the trany or engine oil, because that is what the manual calls for, for an oil change and even that is wrong, its supposed to be 4.5 quart I believe anyway, even in the original owners manual they got it wrong if I remember right, the other guys will chine in if I am wrong about that but I always end up with half a quart of oil I leave in the car for those just in case times. Trany fluid can be anywhere from 4 quarts to a few gallons, oil you do not ever check with the engine running, trany fluid you do.
Do you pull off engine pan to change oil?
quote
Originally posted by Noah Chadwick: 84 automatic, no leaking, nothing, dropped the pan, cleaned it up , new filter etc , checked the haynes manual for the specific amount to add (4 quarts with a pan drop) , added that amount, drive about 100 miles over the next few days, checked the dipstick while at operating temperature after a trip, while in park idling, dipstick is completely bare besides a small bead on the very bottom?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by 84fiero123: Are you Talking about the trany or engine oil, because that is what the manual calls for, for an oil change and even that is wrong, its supposed to be 4.5 quart I believe anyway, even in the original owners manual they got it wrong if I remember right, the other guys will chine in if I am wrong about that but I always end up with half a quart of oil I leave in the car for those just in case times. Trany fluid can be anywhere from 4 quarts to a few gallons, oil you do not ever check with the engine running, trany fluid you do.
Do you pull off engine pan to change oil?
quote
Originally posted by Noah Chadwick: 84 automatic, no leaking, nothing, dropped the pan, cleaned it up , new filter etc , checked the haynes manual for the specific amount to add (4 quarts with a pan drop) , added that amount, drive about 100 miles over the next few days, checked the dipstick while at operating temperature after a trip, while in park idling, dipstick is completely bare besides a small bead on the very bottom?
[/QUOTE]
With some of the people here, anything is possible. he still hasn't answered my questions now has he, I try to give people the benefit of having some brains but many times I have seen later they don't know a thing. Not going to embarrass them but lets put it this way, many people have a lot of extra money to throw around on tools and then they think they know what they are doing.
No one would ever try to jack there Fiero up with an old style bumper jack, or would they. People think they know what something is called yet they don't, but insist they know what they are doing. How can we help people if they don't even know what parts they are working on are.
How about the smelling of the dipstick to see the condition of a trany. No one even mentioned that in this case and it is a legitimate check to see the tranys condition. If the trany was as low as he said and he took it for a ride without checking the fluid level first before driving the car he could have damaged the trany with that drive, smell the fluid can verify that.
How about the checking of the trany fluid after refilling with the dipstick before ever starting the engine. Trany fluid should be full if not overfull after a fluid change to be close to full when running. We all know trany fluid goes down once started and warmed up, but many new members don't.
This is a new member, really new, we know anything about his ability's yet.
Steve
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 06-02-2016).]
I'll add this as it is another possibility. I had the Vacuum Modulator go bad once, and it allowed trans fluid to be sucked into the intake. Only visible when doing a WOT burst, but then it would put out a white smoke screen that would make a destroyer proud Check the vacuum line that goes to the modulator. If it has trans fluid inside the line, could be your culprit.
I'll add this as it is another possibility. I had the Vacuum Modulator go bad once, and it allowed trans fluid to be sucked into the intake. Only visible when doing a WOT burst, but then it would put out a white smoke screen that would make a destroyer proud Check the vacuum line that goes to the modulator. If it has trans fluid inside the line, could be your culprit.
I don't believe the tranny in the Fiero has this... at least I don't remember any vac lines running to tranny. Hmmm
I had what you described happen to me... on my '66 olds
Originally posted by darbysan: I'll add this as it is another possibility. I had the Vacuum Modulator go bad once, and it allowed trans fluid to be sucked into the intake. Only visible when doing a WOT burst, but then it would put out a white smoke screen that would make a destroyer proud Check the vacuum line that goes to the modulator. If it has trans fluid inside the line, could be your culprit.
TH125c Does Not have this problem because Doesn't use a modulator. 4 speed autos w/o PCM control Can have this problem.
I'll add this as it is another possibility. I had the Vacuum Modulator go bad once, and it allowed trans fluid to be sucked into the intake. Only visible when doing a WOT burst, but then it would put out a white smoke screen that would make a destroyer proud Check the vacuum line that goes to the modulator. If it has trans fluid inside the line, could be your culprit.
My 67 Pontiac did the same thing, but the newer (as in less than 45yrs) rarely use them.
Off topic a bit but....the Alien thing; I believe it was in C&D mag that someone wrote an article about automatic transmissions- His basic concept was that when he looked in a manual, you see gears and stuff that can obviously transmit power/movement....But he had taken a AT apart and found all kinds of weird parts with no visible ability to transmit power....He theorized that Aliens were using the Earth as a dumping ground for used space ship parts......I can't do the article justice, but it was really funny.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program.......
