Hi, I'm slowly getting through a '90 runner I bought recently.

It's a 3vze that's actually in pretty good condition.

I've checked my tranny fluid a couple of times warm and cold, and it always seems to be at the same spot on the dipstick: a quarter inch or so above the higher Hot mark.

Is there some trick to checking this fluid, or is my tranny just too full?

To check tranny fluid, you do seat the dipstick all the way so that the little holder-latch is engaged, right?

Is a cold reading reliable on this vehicle, or must it be a hot reading to really know for sure?

Finally, if it's too high, whats the best way to drain off a little?

Thanks!

 

Oh, and what's the capacity of the tranny?

Thx!

 

there is a procedure to follow.

Can't be too hot, can't be too cold. I think something like 20 min. of driving.

Find level spot to park

Now move the shifter through all gears, then place in neutral get out and have a look.

Don't quote me exactly. I know the procedure is in the owner's manual.

To drain a little bit out simply open up the drain plug slightly. Go VERY slowly and be ready to thread the plug back in.

 

reading the tranny dipstick is a bit of a pain. i think he's right and that you're supposed to check it when it's hot. as long as it's in the level then you should be fine.

i believe it's somewhere around 5 qts. it's ghetto though cause you have to refill the tranny through the dipstick so you end up checking the dipstick a bunch when you put the last qt in. def don't wanna put to much in!

if your planning to do a tranny flush, the way you do it is basically by draining old fluid and mixing new fluid in. so really you're just diluting the old fluid with the new. when i did mine, i flushed it 5 times. (drained and refilled it 5 times) so you'll need something close to 30ish qts of atf.
1) drain it
2) fill it back up while checking the dipstick
3)start her up and run through all the gears but don't drive it quite yet
4) turn her off and check the level again
5)if it's good go for a couple mile drive and try to include city and freeway driving
6)repeat steps 1-5 4 or more times.

there's a general overview but check out 4x4wire or here and see if you can find a write up.

 

You are taking your reading while the truck is running, right? If not, you're supposed to.

Like Gohawks said, drive the truck around for approx 20 minutes to get the tranny fluid to normal operating temperature (If you just get home from a long highspeed highway drive, let the truck sit for 20 to 30 minutes before taking your reading).

Park the truck on a level surface, and with the truck running and your foot on the brake, slowly shift from 'P' to 'R' to 'N' to 'D' to '2' to 'L' then back up to '2' to 'D' to 'N' to 'R' to 'P', pausing for a second at each gear. Then, leave it in park, leave the truck running, and go out to check the level.

The cold marks on the dipstick are just to get you in the ballpark when you drain and fill your tranny. Final adjustment should always be made to get you into the "hot" range when the fluid is at normal operating temperature.

 

I find that when I drain JUST the tranny pan that it takes between 3.5 and 4 quarts to bring it up to the full mark.

 

Thanks to all!