My PPE transmission pan: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[flynn]

Quick update: I felt like I had under-filled the transmission a bit while trying to work around the hot exhaust and race against the transmission temp clock. After driving it for about 750 miles I parked the truck on a slight incline, chocked the front wheels, jacked up the rear of the truck until the tires were off the ground, and re-followed the fill procedure. Between 30°C and 50°C (86-122°F) it took another whole quart of fluid before it started trickling out the fill plug. I'll drive it a couple times this week check the level again. Damn these things not having dipsticks!

I've also attached the official procedure on transmission fluid service from ZF that I found on another website.

 

[outlaw24]

Why does it need to be so difficult to change/check your fluids.
Some vehicles don't have dipsticks for engine oil now too. You need to rely on the electronic oil level sensor to tell you if its full or low. CRAZY!

 

[HSKR R/T]

Why does it need to be so difficult to change/check your fluids.
Some vehicles don't have dipsticks for engine oil now too. You need to rely on the electronic oil level sensor to tell you if its full or low. CRAZY!

Most European cars have had oil level sensors for 20+ years. They have been proven reliable. If wager most drivers now days wouldn't check their oil or trans fluid even if there is/was a dipstick. The small percentage of owners that would, can still check level, it's just a little more involved.

 

[Aidan]

Quick update: I felt like I had under-filled the transmission a bit while trying to work around the hot exhaust and race against the transmission temp clock. After driving it for about 750 miles I parked the truck on a slight incline, chocked the front wheels, jacked up the rear of the truck until the tires were off the ground, and re-followed the fill procedure. Between 30°C and 50°C (86-122°F) it took another whole quart of fluid before it started trickling out the fill plug. I'll drive it a couple times this week check the level again. Damn these things not having dipsticks!

I've also attached the official procedure on transmission fluid service from ZF that I found on another website.

What did you use to fill it? I got a nice surprise with the exhaust but managed to do it pretty easily, as in there was enough time to jump in and out and refill. I used a small hand pump to get the fluid in though.