Overfilled Aisin AW55 in Saab 9-3?

[ET16]

I did a drain and fill the other day on my 06 Saab 9-3. Five quarts came out, cold. I assumed it was overfilled, so I refilled with about 4 1/3 qts.

I have other cars with this trans and I usually get out around four quarts, cold? Was the transmission overfilled?

 

[dlundblad]

Does the transmission have a dipstick? Are you able to check the level?

 

[Kira]

Did you remember to start the car and row the selector through the entire range-stopping 3 seconds at each detent-then check the fluid within 20 seconds?

If you just pulled the dipstick it would have read very high with a correctly filled transmission.

NOTE: If I pull the trannie drain plug on level ground and ramps it drains 3.5 to 3.75 quarts of fluid.
If I cheat and use only one ramp (LF wheel) it drains almost exactly 4 quarts.

 

[ET16]

Originally Posted By: Kira
Did you remember to start the car and row the selector through the entire range-stopping 3 seconds at each detent-then check the fluid within 20 seconds?

If you just pulled the dipstick it would have read very high with a correctly filled transmission.

NOTE: If I pull the trannie drain plug on level ground and ramps it drains 3.5 to 3.75 quarts of fluid.
If I cheat and use only one ramp (LF wheel) it drains almost exactly 4 quarts.


I had the car on level ground, no ramps.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Kira
Did you remember to start the car and row the selector through the entire range-stopping 3 seconds at each detent-then check the fluid within 20 seconds?


Heck, I didn't even know there was that much to these things.

 

[ET16]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Does the transmission have a dipstick? Are you able to check the level?


There is a dipstick (plug), but it's under the car and difficult to get to.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: ET16
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Does the transmission have a dipstick? Are you able to check the level?


There is a dipstick (plug), but it's under the car and difficult to get to.


Sadly, I think this might be the solution to your problem.

 

[ET16]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Originally Posted By: ET16
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Does the transmission have a dipstick? Are you able to check the level?


There is a dipstick (plug), but it's under the car and difficult to get to.


Sadly, I think this might be the solution to your problem.



Yea, I hesitate. I have to get the car hot, leave it running in park and wiggle underneath to get the plug out.

 

[dlundblad]

Is the dipstick anything like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MylmvfQ4pA

 

[Kira]

Once you get familiar with the dipstick or fill hole method for checking level (which ever it is for any car you service) you can then clean your catch pan with purple power or anything else, rinse it CLEAN and dry it. You can reuse the fluid if it's OK.

Then you can again pull the drain plug and measure what drained. Then refill slowly until you get it right. That's all.

That trannie is in my Volvo V70 and the fluid darkens predictably. The same unit in our Saab 9-5 Aero ran a bit cleaner.
An '02 9-3 with 125K I found for my friend's son had brown, lumpy fluid but responded progressively to drain and fills. Today it has ~156K and all is well.

 

[ET16]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Is the dipstick anything like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MylmvfQ4pA



Very similar. But I can't get my hand down to it from above.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: ET16
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Is the dipstick anything like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MylmvfQ4pA



Very similar. But I can't get my hand down to it from above.


That does stink. It gets very hot very fast too. Lol

 

[J_R]

Originally Posted By: ET16
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Is the dipstick anything like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MylmvfQ4pA



Very similar. But I can't get my hand down to it from above.


It is a PITA, but you can reach the dipstick from underneath.

Also, you are supposed to remove the o ring from the dipstick while checking the level. LINK

 

[Bgallagher]

My Equinox has a similar AW transmission. Unfortunately the only way I can tell is buy pulling the dipstick which is also the easiest fill hole. The transmission mount decided to take up the majority of the space between it so I have to go in with a long flat head and pop it with a light hammer. from there I jimmy my hands around to check it. It is a PITA but I have had similar situations and it's the only way I have been able to tell.

 

[smoothxman]

For the first drain and fill is it acceptable just to measure and refill with the same quantity. Hopefully the factory has the correct level.