Automatic fluid change and proper level... Lost the post, nothing on Search.. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

lone Ranger · 06-29-2016, 08:19 PM

In my looking, I found one with pictures and the proper method of determining fluid level at about 125-140 Degrees F... And dropping the pan for a full tranny fluid change... OK! But I wanted to copy a few pictures this morning:

And then lost it.. I have tried three "Searches" and still cannot find it...

And what is this from Chev, that there is no dipstick???

How the XXXX am I supposed to go UNDER the car to check fluid levels with the engine running in Park... On Jack Stands??

CHEVROLET, I EXPECTED BETTER !!!

I am going to order a 2017, Helloooo Chevrolet: I sure hope you fix this before mine.... hmmm..

OK, maybe I am just stoopid as well as old... You can tell me where I am going wrong...

havelegs · 06-29-2016, 09:26 PM

Calm down and eat some bacon

lone Ranger · 06-30-2016, 12:35 AM

Well Thanks for that HaveLegs.. I will have mine a bit more crispy thanks... I guess this is some kind of pun I don't get being an Aussie.. That's OK..

In the mean time, I went over to Phat Wheels that are putting on some street/drags for me, and even had a look for myself up on the rack...

Hellooooo Chevrolet..... I hope you are reading some of these... I am a fair Engineer, mid sixties, and this is just dumb. No dipstick and honestly I could not even FIND the filler plug for this transmission. On your passenger side rear above the pan is an entry point for some wiring, and that is the only point I could wiggle a sort of plug, but that is for wiring.. Nothing, nada, I mean really..

I hope you improve things for us poor sods on the 2017 models... I mean this constructively!! We are Enthusiasts over here in Oz, but no regular Chev dealers... And really, some of us like to check things over for ourselves. Even if we had a proper Dealer, I would still like to check it before going to the track. This is Ridiculous!!!

Stephen12ZL1 · 06-30-2016, 07:08 AM

the rubber plug is in the place where a dipstick should be. Pull the center of the plug upwards and the entire plug will release. Do not attempt to do this while the car is running or at temp as the exhaust is nearby. The fluid level is difficult to gauge and the only way I know to determine what is in there is to drain the pan via the drain plug and replace. Measure what was removed and replace accordingly. If you overfill it, you will purge fluid at a road course venue but not for everyday driving or drag racing. There are aftermarket solutions to place a dipstick if you like.

flipstyledsm22 · 06-30-2016, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

the rubber plug is in the place where a dipstick should be. Pull the center of the plug upwards and the entire plug will release. Do not attempt to do this while the car is running or at temp as the exhaust is nearby. The fluid level is difficult to gauge and the only way I know to determine what is in there is to drain the pan via the drain plug and replace. Measure what was removed and replace accordingly. If you overfill it, you will purge fluid at a road course venue but not for everyday driving or drag racing. There are aftermarket solutions to place a dipstick if you like.

Any recommendations? Who all has done this on here? If someone has done it, please post pictures and give us your honest feedback. was it worth it, or not? Accurate measurements? Does the pull-plug hold under pressure, or does it pop out slightly when accelerating hard?

I'm sure there is a reason why it is plugged. Any master builders care to chime in?

Dmpsix · 06-30-2016, 11:32 AM

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380751

Stephen12ZL1 · 06-30-2016, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmpsix

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380751

there is a less aggressive setup than this one with a simple braided hose instead of this backyard solution. I believe B&M makes it....possibly Lokar. I will check it when I have a free moment.

Sven59 · 06-30-2016, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

there is a less aggressive setup than this one with a simple braided hose instead of this backyard solution. I believe B&M makes it....possibly Lokar. I will check it when I have a free moment.

That one looked like it was on a SS. I know the ZL1 is a different transmission and maybe the cooling? Is this a factor or are they the same in this respect.

Dmpsix · 06-30-2016, 08:09 PM

I'm still so damn confused on whether I should do my own automatic transmission fluid change.... or have the dealer do it?

Crash76 · 06-30-2016, 10:33 PM

Get a BM dipstick, pull the plug out of the passenger side.. Insert dipstick. Check fluid level when car is cold and on level ground... Note the fluid level... Raise the car, empty what fluid you can, then remove the pan, change the filter. Reinstall pan, Hook adapter to BM dipstick, fill to the previous noted level.

Doing it this way will not change 100% of the fluid... There will still be fluid in the lines and tq converter...

lone Ranger · 06-30-2016, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

the rubber plug is in the place where a dipstick should be. Pull the center of the plug upwards and the entire plug will release. Do not attempt to do this while the car is running or at temp as the exhaust is nearby. The fluid level is difficult to gauge and the only way I know to determine what is in there is to drain the pan via the drain plug and replace. Measure what was removed and replace accordingly. If you overfill it, you will purge fluid at a road course venue but not for everyday driving or drag racing. There are aftermarket solutions to place a dipstick if you like.

OK, Thank You for that Stephen 12ZL1, but I must admit I have never noticed even when looking for it... OK, when I get home tonight I will have another look... But as I remember it, I did not even see any plug to pull. Mind you is this for the ZL1 transmission?? It would be right behind the engine oil dipstick right?

I mean if I find the filler rubber plug you are talking about, making a dipstick should be pretty easy.. My ZL1 is a 2013, but only 10,000 miles on the clock, (15,000 kms) I could assume the transmission was filled properly as the ZL1 is so low of miles.. But I mean how do we know if it was filled right to start with, or if the Dealer Mechanic fills it right?? Could we slightly over fill it and let it purge to the right level, is that practical??

Chevrolet, you probably have someone reading these Forums for ideas, can you see how we would have great difficulty in determining the right fluid level with no Factory dipstick?? I mean come on, there is no way to totally empty the system and add a measured amount. Further, you average Dealer Mechanic might not really know either!!!

Come on, I am a Fan, but this is practical and necessary... IMO...

Crash76 · 07-01-2016, 02:04 AM

No it's not right behind the engine oil dip stick...

See the white cap at the front of the trans before the bell housing ... That is where the black plug is... Pull the tab up in the center then the plug will come out

06-29-2016, 08:19 PM	#1
lone Ranger Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Australia Posts: 14	Automatic fluid change and proper level... Lost the post, nothing on Search.. In my looking, I found one with pictures and the proper method of determining fluid level at about 125-140 Degrees F... And dropping the pan for a full tranny fluid change... OK! But I wanted to copy a few pictures this morning: And then lost it.. I have tried three "Searches" and still cannot find it... And what is this from Chev, that there is no dipstick??? How the XXXX am I supposed to go UNDER the car to check fluid levels with the engine running in Park... On Jack Stands?? CHEVROLET, I EXPECTED BETTER !!! *I am going to order a 2017, Helloooo Chevrolet: I sure hope you fix this before mine.... hmmm..* OK, maybe I am just stoopid as well as old... You can tell me where I am going wrong...

06-29-2016, 09:26 PM	#2
havelegs Drives: 24 LT1 M Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: North/Central FL Posts: 1,121	Calm down and eat some bacon __________________ 24 LT1 M6 Sharkskin Metallic 22 Mazda CX-30

06-30-2016, 07:08 AM	#4
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	the rubber plug is in the place where a dipstick should be. Pull the center of the plug upwards and the entire plug will release. Do not attempt to do this while the car is running or at temp as the exhaust is nearby. The fluid level is difficult to gauge and the only way I know to determine what is in there is to drain the pan via the drain plug and replace. Measure what was removed and replace accordingly. If you overfill it, you will purge fluid at a road course venue but not for everyday driving or drag racing. There are aftermarket solutions to place a dipstick if you like. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

06-30-2016, 12:35 AM	#3
lone Ranger Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Australia Posts: 14	Well Thanks for that HaveLegs.. I will have mine a bit more crispy thanks... I guess this is some kind of pun I don't get being an Aussie.. That's OK.. In the mean time, I went over to Phat Wheels that are putting on some street/drags for me, and even had a look for myself up on the rack... Hellooooo Chevrolet..... I hope you are reading some of these... I am a fair Engineer, mid sixties, and this is just dumb. No dipstick and honestly I could not even FIND the filler plug for this transmission. On your passenger side rear above the pan is an entry point for some wiring, and that is the only point I could wiggle a sort of plug, but that is for wiring.. Nothing, nada, I mean really.. I hope you improve things for us poor sods on the 2017 models... I mean this constructively!! We are Enthusiasts over here in Oz, but no regular Chev dealers... And really, some of us like to check things over for ourselves. Even if we had a proper Dealer, I would still like to check it before going to the track. This is Ridiculous!!!

06-30-2016, 11:32 AM	#6
Dmpsix Drives: Black L99 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,862	http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380751

06-30-2016, 08:09 PM	#9
Dmpsix Drives: Black L99 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,862	I'm still so damn confused on whether I should do my own automatic transmission fluid change.... or have the dealer do it?

06-30-2016, 10:33 PM	#10
Crash76 Team 913 Drives: '14 ZL1, '15 Jeep GC, ‘22 Ram 2500 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA, Central CA Posts: 1,119	Get a BM dipstick, pull the plug out of the passenger side.. Insert dipstick. Check fluid level when car is cold and on level ground... Note the fluid level... Raise the car, empty what fluid you can, then remove the pan, change the filter. Reinstall pan, Hook adapter to BM dipstick, fill to the previous noted level. Doing it this way will not change 100% of the fluid... There will still be fluid in the lines and tq converter...

07-01-2016, 02:04 AM	#12
Crash76 Team 913 Drives: '14 ZL1, '15 Jeep GC, ‘22 Ram 2500 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA, Central CA Posts: 1,119	No it's not right behind the engine oil dip stick... See the white cap at the front of the trans before the bell housing ... That is where the black plug is... Pull the tab up in the center then the plug will come out