8 Speed - no oil level dipstick

[TJay74]

The 6L80E/6L90E/8L60E are all built in clean rooms. They are purported to be built and sealed for service life and at a minimum do not need to be opened up until after the 100,000 mile mark.

 

As said the procedure is very specific on how to check the transmission fluid level. Vehicle has to be level, up to 180° (I think) at that point you remove a bolt from the recessed hold in the pan. If the fluid is at the correct level it should just barely trickle out of the hole. To fill the transmission you buy the adapter that fits into this port and pump the fluid until it runs out of the same hole (there is a full procedure for a fill after filter change).

 

That is it in a nut shell.

[fondupot]

Dodge guys complained too when Ram's got the ZF 8 speed. Its a sealed unit too.

[j-ten-ner]

Maybe the trans is so complex and sensitive to contamination that the manufactures are going this way...

It's just when I have no way to check on the fluid myself who is gonna pay for a damage caused by a low fluid level?

Maybe I would have been able to notice a problem (e.g. a slow leak) with my routine fluid check.

 

I guess the DIC will tell me when the fluid is low. Doesn't help me in the desert...or Alaska (if you know what I mean ).

 

so long

j-ten-ner

Edited November 29, 2014 by j-ten-ner

[redwngr]

It also uses a new fluid.

 

DEXRON®-HP Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 19300536, in

Canada 19300537).

Edited November 29, 2014 by redwngr

[thewhitestallion]

The 5spd in my 87 cavy does.

 

your car (and a few others) would be the exception.

[2017SierraSLT]

The Jeep and Challenger are this way, no transmission dipstick. So I bought the service dipstick, checked both when they were new and recorded the readings which corresponded to the chart I had. Some people have gotten around the problem by purchasing a long zip tie and using it as a service dipstick.

 

I don't like it but what are you going to do?

 

At least on my dad's '07 Grand Cherokee, it has the tube, but no dipstick.

 

This is just another bean counter move, and one that forces you back to the dealer's service bay for simple operations. Unforgiveable in a light truck, but commonplace in passengers cars for 15 plus years.

Edited November 29, 2014 by 2013sierrasle

[redwngr]

Some GM info on the 8 speed, for those that haven't seen it.

 

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2014/Aug/0820-8speed/0820-silverado-8-speed.html

[SMiller]

Can someone please tell me with the 8-speed having a lower 1st gear but a taller ring gear does the 1st gear end up being lower then the 6-speed or taller? I am guessing 1st and reverse gear are both still lower bit hard to figure since GM switched to the 3.23 vs the 3.42 gear.

[MikeNH]

It's not hard at all to figure. 1st gear ratio multiplied by the axle ratio gives you the final drive. Offhand I don't know 8-speed ratios but I'm guessing it will be lower overall.

[Daryl Z71]

What a joke. Bad enough our Cruze's don't have a dipstick, but not having one in a truck is completely stupid. Whoever came up with this stupid idea should be kicked in their groin.

[02suburbanZ71]

The volkswagons are the worst. One time we had one lose all its trans fluid from hitting a parking stop lost all it trans fluid and we had to fill the pan and run it for 5 seconds and shut off, and repeat so we had enough to get it to the stealership If the battery dies the radio wont work either unless the dealer plugs in

[redwngr]

Can someone please tell me with the 8-speed having a lower 1st gear but a taller ring gear does the 1st gear end up being lower then the 6-speed or taller? I am guessing 1st and reverse gear are both still lower bit hard to figure since GM switched to the 3.23 vs the 3.42 gear.

Compared to the 5.3 with 3.42, 8speed low is lower and high is higher.

Same if you compare the NHT versions - 5.3 - 3.73 compared to 6.2/8sp with 3.42

 

Type: 8L90 eight-speed 6L80 six-speed

Gear ratios (:1) 3.23 3.42

First: 4.56 14.73 4.03 13.78

Second: 2.97 9.59 2.36 8.07

Third: 2.08 6.72 1.5 5.23

Fourth: 1.69 5.46 1.15 3.93

Fifth: 1.27 4.10 0.85 2.91

Sixth: 1.00 3.23 0.67 2.29

Seventh: 0.85 2.75 N/A N/A

Eighth 0.65 2.10 N/A N/A

Reverse: 3.82 12.34 3.06 10.47

[High Country 6.2L/8]

Has anyone installed B&M transmission dipstick?

[Daryl Z71]

On 5/30/2020 at 3:35 PM, High Country 6.2L/8 said:

Has anyone installed B&M transmission dipstick?

 

I have one sitting in my basement, but have not installed it yet. My transmission was replaced under warranty last year because it was hesitant to go into drive whenever the truck sat for 8 or more hours. It’s funny that they never installed a dipstick and use the excuse for it as people don’t need to do it themselves because they’ll screw up the transmission, but GM themselves can’t even get these transmissions right to begin with.

[Michael Melvin]

On 11/27/2014 at 12:45 AM, redwngr said:

From the OM:

 

Automatic Transmission Fluid (8 Speed Transmission)

 

When to Check and Change Automatic Transmission Fluid

 

It is usually not necessary to check the transmission fluid level. The only reason for fluid loss is a

transmission leak or overheated transmission. This vehicle is not equipped with a transmission fluid

level dipstick.

 

There is a special procedure for checking and changing the transmission fluid in these vehicles. Because this procedure is difficult, this should be done at the dealer. Contact the dealer for additional information or the procedure can be found in the service manual. See Service Publications Ordering Information on page 13-11.

 

You gotta be kidding me. I paid a ton of money for this?  What, so gm can charge me to check the tranny fluid and make up lies about the condition?  To get me to buy a new one?  Damn. Buyer beware cause the shady mechanic cometh.