Mikes94GS3

Hello,

I wanted to see what you guys recommend for an ATF drain & fill. I've done this twice over the last 3-4 months since it had been 40k miles or so since it was done at the last tune up. Used Castrol ATF Type T-II import fluid for my 94. Once I did this when the car was cold (sat overnight on ramps) and once when the engine was kind of warm but definitely not hot, after a 10 minute drive. Does it matter if the car is cold, warm or hot when draining/filling? Before I did this the first time, the ATF level was up in the hot area on the dipstick, even with a cold engine. I put right around the same amount back in from what I drained out. Same process the second time. So now, even when the engine is cold, the dipstick shows up near hot, and when the car is hot, the level is 1" above the hot mark. Am I okay or do I need to drain out a half quart to be on the safe side? Ultimately, I'm most interested in what engine temp is ideal to do this.

Thanks for your input, Mike

boxcarfan

you are checking it with the eng. running right?

Mikes94GS3

boxcarfan:
I've checked it both ways.
Cold with engine off: dipstick measures up near the top of hot
Cold with engine running: dipstick measures up near the top of hot
Hot with engine off: dipstick measures 1" above the top of hot
Hot with engine running: dipstick measures 1" avove the top of hot
I understand from the results that ATF expands with heat. Maybe I'm the dipstick after all.