jserio

Okay, I'm making one of those mirror on a stick thingy's to ease the pain of checking the trans fluid. I was wondering, Is there a way to do a float type system just like a gas gauge to do for the tranny fluid? Since losing one trans already I am a little paranoid about this issue. I was also thinking since I am going to install a tranny temp gauge, Can it be placed through the wall of the tranny resavoir? So this way when the tranny temp is registering under the normal then I know it isn't touching the fluid. Probably dumb but what the hell I thought I's ask.

Tony

Hey Joe, give me a bit and i will have a tranny temp guage in my S4. All i plan on doing is getting a threaded bung welded into the side of the pan and then thread the sensor in. Of course to do this i have to drop the pan and do a fluid change...its on my list.
Im not sure of the best place to mount the sensor so i assume in the pan would be it?? Anyone.

I was looking at tapping the drain plug but the plug faces down and i dont want the sender protruding out to a point at which it may get knocked off if hit by some road debris

As far as placing it in the resivour and using it as a fluid level sendor of sorts, i doubt that would work. I think the sensor will pick up the heat of the surrounding resivour even if there is no fluid in it and that would mess up your idea. If you had a spare res. to play with im sure you could rig up or own level sender and wire it to a simple light.? do a google on "level senders" "float gauges" etc etc..you may find something.

I judge my tranny level by the amount of fluid on the ground and how long it has been accumulating dont we all!
So, to make a long story short, if your system aint leaking, i doubt your fluid is going anywhere. Cure the leaks and in reality you solve your problem measuring fluid level!

Randy V

Actually, I've never had a problem checking the fluid level - it's adding fluid that's a pain in the ***.

But, even then, I can top off my trans in about 10 minutes.

To check it, just lay down by the passenger side rear wheel and shine a flashlight at the reservoir (trans hot, engine running, shifter in neutral, parking brake set, car on level surface). Fluid level should be between the sighting notch.

BrianG

The ATF temp guage will scare you!! I had one in my Jag-Chevy hybrid, and it was AMAZING the range the ATF sees in normal operation. If you put it in the "to-the cooler" line gallery, like I did at first, you'll most certainly freak out. That line gets the oil just out of the torque converter, and apparently that's where heat is really made. The real useful place is, of course, the trans oil pan, but you'll still be surprized at the fluctuations.

jserio

Randy, I tried that. I just can't see the resi on the S4. My Euro is no sweat at all checking and filling without any raising. The S4 blows to the 5th power.

Brian, I'm scared already.

I had a feeling going into the resi was a bad idea. I will try that search. I hope I come up with something good to share with y'all.

Randy V

Ah, didn't realize the reservoir configuration was that much different on the S4 and later models.

John Struthers

Joe,
I'm on Randy's side on this one.
Besides the Porsche GOD's -and there are many - would , no doubt, DEMAND that
you wire it in to the Central Warn System for 1st order warnings -Warning Will Robinson! -
Over Temp. Warn, and Low Fluid Warn. Then you might as well carve another warning
light slot in the Pod for a second order Sensor Failure Warn indication which can easily (sic)
be wired thru the Lamp Control Unit.
I'm pretty sure the WSM has a NOTE somewhere on page 37/38/39 in chapter covering the tranny controls/case referencing sacrificing your first born, or your neighbors, before the drill/tap
is permitted anywhere near the trans. pan.

jserio

Randy, on the S4 the anza is right in the way of viewing the resi. You literally have to get your head directly under the resi to see it's level.

John I have zero knowledge of this cars electrical system. One thing I hope to learn in the future. I would never in my wildest consider messing with the cars central brain. I shake at the thought.

Styln928

Blows to the 5th power . . . Now that was funny!

ajd0002

OK, here's the dumb question of the day: do you add fluid with engine running or shut engine off first (safety issue?). The last time I added fluid, it appeared that the level was down with engine running in neutral, but level in resevoir rose after engine was shut off.

Randy V

See my post above.

Steve J.

You have to add fluid with it running. Mine overflows if I take off the cap without the engine running. My tranny has leaked for 3 years. I was adding about a quart of ATF per month. Replaced a cracked res. twice, pan gasket several times, TC bearing seals and various o-rings accessible from the outside - and it still leaked. I hated parking on someones nice clean driveway because I always left a little deposit. Finally licked the leak problem last week - the protection switch was leaking - not the sealing ring but the switch itself. It's strange to look under my '87 and see a clean dry pan now without a little drop hanging from it. From the Porsche Automatic Transmission A28 Description of Operation Manual WKD 490 521 - "Beginning with model year 1986 is the distance between the exhaust assembly and automatic transmission very limited for filling the ATF tank, especially when car has operating temperature."

Randy V

Which 'protection switch' are you referring to, Steve?

Steve J.

Transmission protection switch (left side) - (From '87 Information Technik WKD 493 421) - "The high torque of the new 4 valve engine could overload brake band B1 when accelerating fully or during full load downshifts. This is why a transmission protection switch is mounted on the holder of brake band B1. It is activated each time the brake band is applied or released. This signal causes the ignition timing to be retarded by 16 degrees on the crankshaft and therefore a considerable reduction of engine power for fractions of a second during upshifts 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 as well as downshifts 3 to 2 and 2 to 1. The normal ignition timing value is reached again within one second."

John Struthers

Steve,
And they said you couldn't read...
Very interesting, the switch that is.
Randy,
Thanks for asking the question.
And now I'm off to peruse the 928 INTL Parts Catalog.