Checking manual transmission fluid level
 

I need to know how you check for proper level of fluid in a manual transmission. Yesterday I had a local shop change the clutch out on my tC. As I needed to change the engine oil I decided that today would be a good chance to not only do that but also check their work while I was under there. When I got out to the car this morning there was a nice dime size oil spot under the manual transmission drain plug. I was able to turn the drain plug by hand so at this point I don't know if it's missing a little or a lot of oil. I know some transmissions you just fill it to the top of the fill point and call it good but the owners manual and searches turned up nil on if that's how you do it with a tC. I really don't want to drain the entire thing and put in more new oil which is the only thing I come up with when I do searches.

you don't have to drain it. you just have to fill it from the fill plug until it over flow out.

Thanks, that's what I needed to hear.

You could just lift the car a bit, unscrew the fill plug and see if something comes out. If it does, you got plenty in. If it doesn't, pump some back in untill it overflows.

Well that is exactly what I did. While I was under the car I popped the fill point and a little started coming out. Just didn't know if that was correct for this car. :-)

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I always pop the fill and remove the reverse speed sensor and fill from there it's less time I spend on my back LOL

Question: Isn't that sensor hole pretty much right above the fill hole? If that's the case wouldn't doing that procedure just cause the majority of the gear oil to dribble out the fill hole without actually filling the transmission? I only ask because I've never done that. I've always just gotten a hand pump and filled it that way.

no the reverse sensor is on the very top of the transmission its a big grey sensor big hex. then again its always easy to reach on a boosted car as theres no airbox to deal with..

Learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info. I've been thinking of swapping out the gear oil in about 1K miles from the clutch job just to make sure nothing is floating around in there. Might be over kill but given I autocross the beast I don't see it hurting either.

What brand oil and weight did u use?

Beast.. Lol even with being boosted I think the only beast tc is Brett's 11 sec tc soon to be tens, yes rados is fast but not street able so yea no beast

I recently changed mine with Amsoil http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?code=FGRQT-EA. 52k Miles on a 2010. Car was having trouble engaging first gear. Trans feels a little better. Seems like Amsoil takes longer to warm up.

The shop that I had do the clutch job used Mobil 1 75W-90. I personally would have gone with Red Line but I'm not freaking out about Mobil 1.

@borderguy881, Thank you for your opinion but please remember their is life beyond a drag strip. Some of us would prefer to shred a cone forest rather than run a 1/4 mile. In that environment my tC is a beast. It still needs a little tuning, and the nut behind the wheel needs a lot of work but it still represents the brand well.