Need some help from the oppo hive mind

"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
09/26/2018 at 08:18 • Filed to: OPPO HIVE MIND

The other day I noticed a large puddle of transmission oil under my 2000 K3500, it’s never leaked before and it’s been sitting for a couple weeks so I’m not sure when the puddle appeared. I got under it and it appeared to be leaking from the gasket for the pan. I go to check the oil level and it shows that it’s way over filled. I’m pretty sure I had checked that earlier this year and it was at the right level so I was really confused. I drained some oil until it showed right at the “cold” level on the dipstick. I took it for a drive to get it up to temp and check the level when hot and the transmission was not acting right...had to rev to get going, not shifting right, etc, so i turned around and got home. Check the oil and now it showed super low...below even the cold oil level. So I added oil back in. I also noticed a faint smell of burnt oil once I got home. What the hell is going on?

Just for more information it’s a 454 with a 4L80E.

Edit: Just to clarify I checked the oil with the truck running but not up to temp ini tially.

Lowered K3500 for your time (not mine)

DISCUSSION (12)

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2018 at 08:39

I do hope that when you decided it was overfilled, it was done with the engine running and up to temp...

Likely the truck has a trans cooler; it drained back into the pan after sitting. If you have old trans pan gasket, its leaky since the level was higher than normal driving condition.

Warm the truck up to get the fluid to at least 90*F and check the level.

Nibby > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2018 at 08:39

blinker fluid interference

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
09/26/2018 at 08:44

It was running, not up to temp though

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Nibby
09/26/2018 at 08:48

Of course

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
09/26/2018 at 08:54

Now I’m wondering if it took a bit for the oil to get back into the cooler since it was cold and i was only idling or if there was some oil stuck to the sides of the dip stick tube and giving a false level . I’ll keep an eye on it for the time being and make sure it’s at the proper level. And the burnt oil smell could be from the leaking fluid that I hadn’t had before...I’m not as worried anymore. I think I may have taken oil when it wasn’t necessary.

BigBlock440 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2018 at 09:59

Did you run it through the gears first? A lot of transmissions don’t pump in park, the fluid drains from the converter, and possibly the cooler. If you don’t shift it through drive and reverse and get the fluid circulating through and the converter back up, it’ll give you a high reading.

nermal > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2018 at 09:59

Just replace teh gas engine & auto with a 12v Cummins & manual transmmission.

Stacks in bed are optional.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2018 at 10:21

That’s likely, it’s probably no big deal. Give it another read when it’s warm and on a level surface and add trans fluid as necessary. Keep an eye out for leaks and budget to replace the gasket (and filter?) in the near future.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > BigBlock440
09/26/2018 at 10:30

I did not...I didn’t realize that. I knew you had to have the engine running. I think Brian got it figured out though...the gasket on the pan leaks and having been sitting for a bit the oil eventually drained from the cooler overfilling the pan causing the puddle. Then not shifting into gear caused a high reading to show.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > nermal
09/26/2018 at 10:31

I wish I had those kind of funds available to me

Urambo Tauro > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2018 at 11:15

The thing that always bothered me about the fluid checking procedure provided by GM is that it starts with driving the vehicle for 15 miles. Sure, you’ll never get an accurate reading until the fluid has warmed up and circulated through the system. But c’mon, there has to be a preliminary way to make sure that there’s enough fluid for it to be driv able first.

Die-Trying > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/26/2018 at 14:45

if it were ME......... AND ITS NOT ME......... i would check the stupid grommet/bushing that seals the dipstick to the top of the transmission. i have had a few go out over the years, and had the transmissions leak mysteriously, until i remembered to check THAT, usually having already chased around gaskets and seals. the grommet is cheap, and usually takes 20min. to swap....... something to look at anyhow.

when they start to give it up, you can add fluid, and it fills up, and you are good to cruise. are even good driving and parking on flat ground. take it up/down some big hills, park on an incline, and you start getting puddles. go around sharp corners fast, and you get smells......

like i said, something to look at.......