Tranny questions and something cool

[Scott Peterson]

Well my father n law has been thru a couple 5 speeds in his 95 sl2.so its time for number 3 now LOL, so any ways we start checking around and a junkyard found us a 5 speed from a 93 sl2 with only 8 K original miles i guess some guy stored a 93 sl2 in his garage with only 8,ooo original miles and parted it out.So any how im not familiar with saturn 5 speeds.I had a 89 ranger with a 5 speed and you would have to get under the truck and unscrew a cap to check fluid level and it took ATF not gear lube.so is their a way to check the fluid level in these 5 speeds ?? i think their is a dip stick ??? what kinda fluid goes in it ?? whats the proper time to check it ?? hot or cold ? running or not ?? thanks !

[Col.FUBAR]

Originally Posted by Scott Peterson

Well my father n law has been thru a couple 5 speeds in his 95 sl2.so its time for number 3 now LOL, so any ways we start checking around and a junkyard found us a 5 speed from a 93 sl2 with only 8 K original miles i guess some guy stored a 93 sl2 in his garage with only 8,ooo original miles and parted it out.So any how im not familiar with saturn 5 speeds.I had a 89 ranger with a 5 speed and you would have to get under the truck and unscrew a cap to check fluid level and it took ATF not gear lube.so is their a way to check the fluid level in these 5 speeds ?? i think their is a dip stick ??? what kinda fluid goes in it ?? whats the proper time to check it ?? hot or cold ? running or not ?? thanks !

There is a red "L" handle locking dipstick on the top of the transmission underneath the brake master cylinder, it is probably covered in road grime and no longer red so it's probably hard to see.

Check when the trans is cold (Saturn says check when you are able to put your hand on top of the tranny without having to remove your hand from the heat )

Takes 2.6 Quarts of DEXRON III ATF. DO NOT put the newer Dex IV in even though it says it is backwards compatible, the viscosity is actually lower and may cause shifting issues when warm. If you cannot find regular Dex III (which will probably be the case) you can substitute Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and still be fine. There are a few members including Oldnuc who use Torque Drive transmission fluid that is designed for HD Allison transmissions, it is pretty expensive but you'll never have to change it again (plus, if it's good enough for an Allison, it should be overkill for a econocar trans. that weighs about 60lbs )

Oh and I forgot to mention, the Torque drive only comes in 5gal. increments I believe, you can use a turkey baster to remove your old power steering fluid and replace it with the Torque Drive.

Good Luck (And by any chance does he live up to the motto "If you can't find em' grind em"? )

[Col.FUBAR]

Double-Post but just checked to be sure, Amsoil Torque Drive comes in 1Gal. increments, I knew 5gal. didn't sound right

[Scott Peterson]

HA he just revs the **** outta it. first one he put a pin thru the tranny 2nd one which is the one now just barely moves the car if your at a stop sign in first gear when you try to take off it just barely moves and slips then catches and it also pops outta 5th all the time.Now we are on number 3 going in this week, with only 8K on it, sooooo well se what hapens, but yea he's not easy on it at all. he shifts hard to, basicaly slams the shifter in every gear and revs it high, and it burns oil at high rpms also, so it looks like he's crop dusting LOL he's almost 60 years old we are haveing a hudsonville transmission install the tranny so im not sure what fluid they are putting in.

[Scott Peterson]

I will tell him to request mobil 1 tranny fluid ! thanks !