Transmission fluid fill?

[MUTT Vet]

I can't believe I'm asking this.

Where is the dip stick to check the transmission fluid?

What's the best way to check and fill the fluid for the transmission and transfer case?

Thanks!

[Ralph Fuller]

Eric: Great question...ask the guys who didn't ask before removing the wrong plug. You will find your answer here:
http://wiki.g503.com/index.php/Transmission

[Horst]

there is no dipstick. To check the fluid level, you need to remove the filler plug (check the wiki, the G838 wiki is now also updated) and then the oil should be up to the filler plug level.

[Horst]

I have added a picture to your other post talking about a leak...

[Spike]

How to change your transmission and transfer case gear oil.


I normally do a major service every three-years on my A1. That includes changing all the fluids, repacking bearings and greasing everything. I do a minor service once a year lube / oil / filter. You need to decide what your service intervals are, based on the use of vehicle. The military "S" preventive-maintenance services were performed every six-months or 6,000-miles. The LO TM mandates transmission/transfer case gear oil change at 24,000 miles or 24-month whichever comes first. I don't service my POV's but I do my 151 because I want it done right and there is a pitfall.

If you're going fording or into deep water it would be prudent to change all your fluids right afterwards because water will find its way into places you don't want it. If you find water in your transmission while draining the fluids you are going to want to flush it to insure that all the water is out. This is normally done with solvents.

The first thing I do is put on rubber gloves, old clothes and shoes that I can toss in the trash afterwards.

I change the oil when it's hot, not because I like burning my fingers, but they drain better and some sludge and particles become suspended in the gear oil.

The transmission holds: 2 and 3/4 quarts. (2.6litres)

The data plate and TM's (LO9-2320-218-12) recommend:
Temp above 32f; GO-90 {GO85/140 ~not recommend in the 1966 or 1988 LO}
Temp 40f to -10f; GO-80 {GO85/140~ not recommend in the 1966 or 1988 LO}
Temp 0 to -65f; GO75 {some, older data plates and TM's have this as GO5}

Lubrication Order link:
http://www.pedros.cz/M151/LO_9-2320-218-12_Jul78.pdf
http://www.pedros.cz/M151/LO_9-2329-218-12_Jul88.pdf
http://www.pedros.cz/M151/LO_9-2320-218-12_Nov66.pdf

The transmission and transfer case are machined and matched set that are married. There are two drain plugs. One is in the transmission and one is in the transfer case. The plug heads are 1 1/8". There is a second plug in the transfer case. That is the "clutch shifter detent plug" it holds a spring and ball in place. The head is much smaller (7/8") and in goes into the transfer case at an angle. It won't hurt anything to take it out and clean and check it (so long as you don't lose the spring or ball) the are two *plugs* on the side of the transmission, one is the "oil level fill plug" The other looks like a fill plug BUT IT IS NOT. It's a shifter arm pivot pin and it's a bit of a headache if you remove it because the shifter arm will fall into the bottom of the transmission.

I remove both drain plugs and let it drip into a pan. I check for metal particles in the fluid.

Clean magnets and reinstall the plugs. It's nice to replace the plug washers if you can. Tighten the plugs to: 10 to 14 foot pounds, (per TM 34-1)

I use the pump-type gear oil container, because it's too hard to squirt it in with the typical bottles. I fill it until it starts to overflow.

Check and clean the transmission breather valve at the top of the tranny in front of the shifter boot.



These photos show some of the different types of fill and shifter arm heads








Spike,

Now that you have that stinky gear oil on your hands, floor and clothes you might as well do your differentials. Once I'm done I just throw away any clothes that I get gear oil on.

There is a lot of talk about putting in a heavier weight gear oil to "quiet the tranny" (and differential.) The people who have tried this report no noticeable sound reduction. Without getting into a lecture on lubrication, the best path to take is to use only what is specified for your differential and transmission.

I personally am not big on additives either. But that's a personal thing.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm

[Hell on Wheels]

Hello folks, I know this an old post but in the pictures it shows the drain plug for the XMSN as item #11 and the transfer is that the same item #11. Both are drains correct?

Robert

[Horst]

correct

[raymond]

The transmission and transfer case use a common oil reservoir, and thus, they fill and drain from common plugs.

[Horst]

there is one fill plug and two drain plugs.

[Austringer]

THERE IS A DIPSTICK FOR THE M151!!

It's standard equipment on every human at birth (with some medical exceptions) and is located on each hand. It's a finger. If you put your finger in the hole and bend at first nuckle and can touch oil, it's good to go.

Jason

[HILLBILLY-06]

[Venito]

on the wiki page, there is a warning against hypoid fluid.

you all don't say anything against that here. It appears here that hypoid or not is not a problem.

I was at NAPA earlier today, I saw all were hypoid and limited slip. The guy there said limited slip is also hypoid. Only one say nothing about what it is.

I am still very confused about transmission fluid and diff fluid.

Please help. Mine is A2

[rickf]

You do not want to use gear oil with a designation of GL-5 without the MT-1 modifier in it. Just about all modern brand name oils will have the MT-1 in them nowadays. If in doubt look for GL-4 or below. The GL-5 without the modifier will attack the yellow metals in the transmission, namely the syncronizers. Differentials do not have yellow metals in them.

[rickf]

And hypoid is a type of gear set, that is what the ring and pinion are in the rear. It is another technical name for gear oil.

[cavm151]

I just bout some Red Line MT-90 GL-4 fluid on ebay. The prices there are better than Amazon, whose supplier did not deliver.