Fiero automatic transmission fluid check and empty question 2.8 liter v6 - How to get the transmission dip stick out and where is the drain plug?

[Andy]

My fiero is running ok again after getting my Oxygen sensor replaced. Now I
want to check the transmission fluid level, and replace the fluid. I have
already picked up the Dexron III ATF fluid, and was told by Advance
Autoparts that I need about 4 quarts. I opened up my Fiero and found this
dip-stick:

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The picture above is the transmission dipstick right? Well, it is
apparently stuck or there is some method to removing it that I couldn't
figure out looking at it for about 5 minutes. What is the trick to removing
it? Also - the pipe the stick is in looks kind of big, at least big enough
to pour the fluid in the pipe the dip stick resides in, is that how you
refill it?

Below are some more pictures of the bottom of my car. It appears that
transmission fluid may be leaking out somewhat. Is this typical? Are there
any common causes / easy solutions I can do myself about this? The car does
have 140,000 miles on it but has been fairly well maintained and the engine
runs well.

Where is the drain plug in the following pictures so I can empty the
contents of the transmission fluid reservoir?

http://www.charlottepinball.com/fiero/underside/1.jpg

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I don't know much about cars except this thing has really cost me some money
since I bought it and anything I might be able to learn or do myself through
the help of anyone on this group sure would be appreciated!

Thanks
Andy

[labtech_one]

Yep thats the automatic tranny dipstick :) try turning slightly as you
pull on it

I don't 'think' there is a drain plug in the automatic transmission ( I'm
not sure since
I've only owned manuals ( 5 spd ). You may have to drop the 'pan' on the
tranny
and drain that way ( good idea btw ..... you can clean the sludge/ build
up out
of the pan and replace the filter while you are in there )

Post by Andy
My fiero is running ok again after getting my Oxygen sensor replaced. Now I
want to check the transmission fluid level, and replace the fluid. I have
already picked up the Dexron III ATF fluid, and was told by Advance
Autoparts that I need about 4 quarts. I opened up my Fiero and found this
http://www.charlottepinball.com/fiero/underside/1.jpg
The picture above is the transmission dipstick right? Well, it is
apparently stuck or there is some method to removing it that I couldn't
figure out looking at it for about 5 minutes. What is the trick to removing
it? Also - the pipe the stick is in looks kind of big, at least big enough
to pour the fluid in the pipe the dip stick resides in, is that how you
refill it?
Below are some more pictures of the bottom of my car. It appears that
transmission fluid may be leaking out somewhat. Is this typical? Are there
any common causes / easy solutions I can do myself about this? The car does
have 140,000 miles on it but has been fairly well maintained and the engine
runs well.
Where is the drain plug in the following pictures so I can empty the
contents of the transmission fluid reservoir?
http://www.charlottepinball.com/fiero/underside/1.jpg
http://www.charlottepinball.com/fiero/underside/2.jpg
http://www.charlottepinball.com/fiero/underside/3.jpg
http://www.charlottepinball.com/fiero/underside/4.jpg
http://www.charlottepinball.com/fiero/underside/5.jpg
http://www.charlottepinball.com/fiero/underside/6.jpg
I don't know much about cars except this thing has really cost me some money
since I bought it and anything I might be able to learn or do myself through
the help of anyone on this group sure would be appreciated!
Thanks
Andy

[Brian]

I dont know of ANY automatic transmissions that have drain plugs...always
wondered why???

You have to pull the pan. while you are there change the filter. The pan is
the one that says metric on it. You will anso need a pan gasket. Get those
before you start

You WILL get dirty in this task
Make sure when you remove the pan to LOOSEN all the bolts then start
removing them from ONE SIDE ONLY!!. Put the drain pan under that side as you
remove the bolts and it makes the least amount of mess. Once the pan is
drained enough to remove you can remove the rest of the bolts and dump the
remaining fluid in the drain pan

Remove the filter at this time and replace, it should be fairly
straightforward on how it comes off and goes back on

Remove all the gasket material from the pan and transmission or it will leak
when you put it back together. A paint scraper works well for this but be
careful not to gouge either surface or it will leak also. If you have
problems getting the gasket off there are solutions you can get to help
remove the old gasket. Once it is clean (both surfaces) put the gasket on
the pan so the holes line up and hold in place with two bolts and mount to
the transmission. Don't tighten the bolts until all the bolts are in
otherwise some of the gasket holes might not line up and it will
leak...Notice I keep mentioning that it will leak. I stress this because its
important to do it right so you don't have problems later down the road.
Tighten all your bolts and you are now ready to add fluid.

Reposted, hit the wrong send button (sorry labtech_one)

As far as the dipstick goes if it is stuck you can try twisting it but you
can also remove the entire tube. There should be one bolt mounting the tube
to the motor and it seals to the transmission with an o-ring. You may have
some luck getting the dipstick out that way if it is really stuck. Worse
case you replace the whole tube which you should be able to match up at a
local salvage yard (maybe E-Bay too) or check with some of the other Fiero
owners to see if they have one laying around. This is where you would add
the fluid and it's easier if you have a transmission funnel too. It has a
long skinny end that fits into the tube to minimize spilling (some even have
flex hoses to make it more convenient)

If this sounds too difficult I recommend getting the transmission flushed at
a transmission shop (not a quick lube!!) It will get you the same results
for about $80-130 depending on where you live

Hope that helps

[Andy]

Wow, Brian. Thanks for the thorough and very candid explanation of this
process. I elected to take it to the Ponitac dealer since apparently I have
an oil leak somewhere too. God this car is costing me a fortune and I
haven't even driven it a 1000 miles yet.

Do these cars run worth a damn after doing all the stuff that a 21 year old
car needs? I hate to think if I bought one that hadden't been "taken care
of." LOL.

Oh well, it is a fun car to drive when I can drive it. Thanks again!

Andy

Post by Brian
I dont know of ANY automatic transmissions that have drain plugs...always
wondered why???
You have to pull the pan. while you are there change the filter. The pan is
the one that says metric on it. You will anso need a pan gasket. Get those
before you start
You WILL get dirty in this task
Make sure when you remove the pan to LOOSEN all the bolts then start
removing them from ONE SIDE ONLY!!. Put the drain pan under that side as you
remove the bolts and it makes the least amount of mess. Once the pan is
drained enough to remove you can remove the rest of the bolts and dump the
remaining fluid in the drain pan
Remove the filter at this time and replace, it should be fairly
straightforward on how it comes off and goes back on
Remove all the gasket material from the pan and transmission or it will leak
when you put it back together. A paint scraper works well for this but be
careful not to gouge either surface or it will leak also. If you have
problems getting the gasket off there are solutions you can get to help
remove the old gasket. Once it is clean (both surfaces) put the gasket on
the pan so the holes line up and hold in place with two bolts and mount to
the transmission. Don't tighten the bolts until all the bolts are in
otherwise some of the gasket holes might not line up and it will
leak...Notice I keep mentioning that it will leak. I stress this because its
important to do it right so you don't have problems later down the road.
Tighten all your bolts and you are now ready to add fluid.
Reposted, hit the wrong send button (sorry labtech_one)
As far as the dipstick goes if it is stuck you can try twisting it but you
can also remove the entire tube. There should be one bolt mounting the tube
to the motor and it seals to the transmission with an o-ring. You may have
some luck getting the dipstick out that way if it is really stuck. Worse
case you replace the whole tube which you should be able to match up at a
local salvage yard (maybe E-Bay too) or check with some of the other Fiero
owners to see if they have one laying around. This is where you would add
the fluid and it's easier if you have a transmission funnel too. It has a
long skinny end that fits into the tube to minimize spilling (some even have
flex hoses to make it more convenient)
If this sounds too difficult I recommend getting the transmission flushed at
a transmission shop (not a quick lube!!) It will get you the same results
for about $80-130 depending on where you live
Hope that helps

[Les Benn]

The Fiero was one of the most fun cars I ever had. yes once you weed through
the nickel dime stuff it will run for a long time.

Post by Andy
Wow, Brian. Thanks for the thorough and very candid explanation of this
process. I elected to take it to the Ponitac dealer since apparently I
have an oil leak somewhere too. God this car is costing me a fortune and
I haven't even driven it a 1000 miles yet.
Do these cars run worth a damn after doing all the stuff that a 21 year
old car needs? I hate to think if I bought one that hadden't been "taken
care of." LOL.
Oh well, it is a fun car to drive when I can drive it. Thanks again!
Andy

Post by Brian
I dont know of ANY automatic transmissions that have drain plugs...always
wondered why???
You have to pull the pan. while you are there change the filter. The pan is
the one that says metric on it. You will anso need a pan gasket. Get those
before you start
You WILL get dirty in this task
Make sure when you remove the pan to LOOSEN all the bolts then start
removing them from ONE SIDE ONLY!!. Put the drain pan under that side as you
remove the bolts and it makes the least amount of mess. Once the pan is
drained enough to remove you can remove the rest of the bolts and dump the
remaining fluid in the drain pan
Remove the filter at this time and replace, it should be fairly
straightforward on how it comes off and goes back on
Remove all the gasket material from the pan and transmission or it will leak
when you put it back together. A paint scraper works well for this but be
careful not to gouge either surface or it will leak also. If you have
problems getting the gasket off there are solutions you can get to help
remove the old gasket. Once it is clean (both surfaces) put the gasket on
the pan so the holes line up and hold in place with two bolts and mount to
the transmission. Don't tighten the bolts until all the bolts are in
otherwise some of the gasket holes might not line up and it will
leak...Notice I keep mentioning that it will leak. I stress this because its
important to do it right so you don't have problems later down the road.
Tighten all your bolts and you are now ready to add fluid.
Reposted, hit the wrong send button (sorry labtech_one)
As far as the dipstick goes if it is stuck you can try twisting it but you
can also remove the entire tube. There should be one bolt mounting the tube
to the motor and it seals to the transmission with an o-ring. You may have
some luck getting the dipstick out that way if it is really stuck. Worse
case you replace the whole tube which you should be able to match up at a
local salvage yard (maybe E-Bay too) or check with some of the other Fiero
owners to see if they have one laying around. This is where you would add
the fluid and it's easier if you have a transmission funnel too. It has a
long skinny end that fits into the tube to minimize spilling (some even have
flex hoses to make it more convenient)
If this sounds too difficult I recommend getting the transmission flushed at
a transmission shop (not a quick lube!!) It will get you the same results
for about $80-130 depending on where you live
Hope that helps

[B Fuhrmann]

Post by Andy
Do these cars run worth a damn after doing all the stuff that a 21 year
old car needs? I hate to think if I bought one that hadden't been "taken
care of." LOL.

I have had two.
The first only lasted 185,000 miles because I let the oil get low and
trashed the engine.
My current one has 235,000 miles but is due for an engine rebuild because of
excessive blowby.

both have been quite reliable.

[Andy]

Hi Bill,
What is "excessive blowby"? Is that when the manifold is rusted out and
exhaust leaks out of the engine instead of the tailpipe?

My engine has 140k miles on it and the oil was allegedly changed every 5000
miles. The mechanic said he thought the car was in really good shape and
that I don't have any mechanical problems with the motor. They are wrapping
up the transmission pan gasket replace, oil leak repair, etc etc today - the
service advisor over there said his transmission guy drove the car and said
that when the car is cold that it seems to slip just a little but once it is
warmed up, it drives fine. They recommended my not pursuing that at this
time. That kind of news really scares me. So the question becomes - with
140k miles on the tranny and that kind of news, how long do I have before
that gets worse since replacing the transmission is beyond my technical
capacitty and the thought of sinking $3000 into this car isn't likely to
happen.

Does anyone know of any Fiero repairmen / transmission specialists in North
Carolina that aren't a Pontiac dealership they could recommend?

Thanks
Andy

Post by B Fuhrmann

Post by Andy
Do these cars run worth a damn after doing all the stuff that a 21 year
old car needs? I hate to think if I bought one that hadden't been
"taken care of." LOL.

I have had two.
The first only lasted 185,000 miles because I let the oil get low and
trashed the engine.
My current one has 235,000 miles but is due for an engine rebuild because
of excessive blowby.
both have been quite reliable.
--
Bill Fuhrmann

[B Fuhrmann]

Blow by is when gasses blow by the piston rings. A little of this always
happens.

In my case, enough goes by the rings that it very slightly pressurizes the
oil pan. It causes a small amount of oil to seep through the seal when I am
driving.

If you didn't know that (a compression check on the cylinders would show
which ones), you wouldn't be able to tell from the car's operation.