Sounds wierd until you look at some late model cars, & they are "sealed for life," with no dipstick, screen instead of a filter, etc. etc.

Pleeease tell me the G8's are not like this.

Only dipstick I see, is the oil. I wish it wasn't so.

I don't think we will see a sealed auto anytime soon, but there is an industry trend towards electronically monitoring of fluid levels and conditions.

Per the owner's manual, There is no need to check the transmission fluid level. The only reason that the level would be low is there is a leak, and you guessed it.. "See your dealer for service"

Per the owner's manual, There is no need to check the transmission fluid level. The only reason that the level would be low is there is a leak, and you guessed it.. "See your dealer for service"

Which doesnt make any sense considering that the only to really tell if you have a leak is to monitor the level of the fluid. Especially if its a smallish type leak and by the time you notice its seriously low. :damnyou::damnyou::damnyou:

Hopefully there is some electronic monitor for this, though if the dipstick was eliminated as a cost cutting measure I wouldn't count on it. Hopefully someone with a service manual will be able to chime in.

The 6L80/90 A6 trans's have a dipstick hole (dipstick can be fitted in some applications), but it is generally plugged with a plastic stopper. The level checking involves having the trans at a certain temp, and then pulling this plug to see if any fluid flows out. If it does not...add fluid. If a lot flows out, it must have too much. It cant really be overfilled.

The trans has a fluid temp sensor, so if the fluid gets too low the temp will rise and alarm or the trans will start to protect itself. The 6L engines in the VE/G8 have engine pan oil temp and level sensors too.

Cheers.

The 6L80/90 A6 trans's have a dipstick hole (dipstick can be fitted in some applications), but it is generally plugged with a plastic stopper. The level checking involves having the trans at a certain temp, and then pulling this plug to see if any fluid flows out. If it does not...add fluid. If a lot flows out, it must have too much. It cant really be overfilled.

The trans has a fluid temp sensor, so if the fluid gets too low the temp will rise and alarm or the trans will start to protect itself. The 6L engines in the VE/G8 have engine pan oil temp and level sensors too.

That would suggest, then, that the A6 has no service requirements for fluid/filter? Can't believe that's healthy.....

That would suggest, then, that the A6 has no service requirements for fluid/filter? Can't believe that's healthy.....

Yeah thats a point. Long term not so healthy if they dont recommend a change interval. Though it does have a filter, and they are available as spares. Filling is via the oil inspection "hole", it is a good 1/2" in diameter.

They have probably shipped 1m+ of these 6 speeds since the trans plant ramped up in late 2005, so they seem to be getting by ok in the field. GM is targetting 3m a year by 2010.

As long as there is some method for a DIY’er to check/change, I am okay with it. I do wish it didn’t involve getting under the car versus just popping the hood but a DIY’er still has to get under to change the engine oil, so its not that big a deal. I’m sure the 6L80/90 is a very well designed transmission.

Speaking of, does the 5 speed auto in the V6 have a similar arrangement, or a dipstick?

That would suggest, then, that the A6 has no service requirements for fluid/filter? Can't believe that's healthy.....

Not sure what is in the G8 service manual, but the VE Commodore is fluid and filter at approx 90,000 miles.

Not sure what is in the G8 service manual, but the VE Commodore is fluid and filter at approx 90,000 miles.
The manual for the GT states transmission service is at 100K miles.

Perhaps by having a 100% sealed tranny the fluid doesn't break down as fast? Hmmm.

I've got 12K on my G8 GT now and will change the fluid to synthetic. If you are suppose the leave it in for that long, I'm going synthetic.

Does anyone make an aftermarket retro-fit dipstick for the 6L80 tranny so you can easily check the level??

Where is this capped 6L80 tranny fill hole located in the 6L80?

I have read in the forum posts about brand new G8 trannys coming off the boat or delivered to customers underfilled from the factory.

Some of us are working on this issue. I should have more information in about a week. With a bit of luck this will be solved at a reasonable price.

Some of us are working on this issue. I should have more information in about a week. With a bit of luck this will be solved at a reasonable price.


Sweet, I'm glad this issue is still on the table.....



...

Sweet, I'm glad this issue is still on the table.....



...

It'll be on the table until I have one installed. if this one doesn't work, on to the next idea.

Very sad to report the failure of this experiment. The dipstick tube simply would not clear the headers. We will be testing to see if it will work on a car with stock manifolds but for those of us with headers, no luck.

The only possibility I see at this time is a flexible housing, Lokar style. unfortunately they don't make one to fit in the 6L80.

The fluid in the transmission is synthetic , there's no need to change to it.

For those backyard mechs out there you may want to think again about servicing this tranny. There is a post somewhere on the board with the instructions out of the service manual. The car has to be level (no ramps), engine running, and at a specific temp. range to check the level on the driver's side of the tranny.

Anybody got a lift in their backyard?

I asked my dealer to check the level in mine and watched how he did it.

I did it with 4 jack stands
I measure the distance from ground to where jack stands gonna support the car. and make same difference in height on the jack stands. when she is lift up in the air, It will be level as if she is sitting on the ground.

basically, as soon as you start the car, go through all gears, then to park.

go under the car, unplug passanger side rubber plug (where dipstick suppose to be) and take the bolt (the only one on the pan, it is toward back of tranny) off. there maybe some fluid come out at first. then fill your tranna up from where the rubber plug is. keep fill her up until fluid coming out of hole where you remove the bolt. then put plug and bolt back to where they belong.

thats it.

remember, you got about 10 to 20 min before it gets really hot. watch out for exhaust too.

Yup, that would do it. Sure, it can be done; the point is that it's a MAJOR hassle to do what could have been accomplished in about 10 seconds if we had a stick,.

Yup, that would do it. Sure, it can be done; the point is that it's a MAJOR hassle to do what could have been accomplished in about 10 seconds if we had a stick,.


Amen, to that Tom...............



...

It pisses me off all over again every time I open my hood.

Has anyone thought to try to get all of the necessary dipstick hardware to fit an LS2 GTO? I don't know if there might be something specific to the L76 to where it wouldn't work. But, the block sizes are the same, head sizes should be the same & exhaust manifolds should be the same size (or close).

Has anyone thought to try to get all of the necessary dipstick hardware to fit an LS2 GTO? I don't know if there might be something specific to the L76 to where it wouldn't work. But, the block sizes are the same, head sizes should be the same & exhaust manifolds should be the same size (or close).

This is the transmission dipstick. Different trans. The only thing that's even remotely possible, at least for a car with headers, is a flexible firewall mount stick like the Lokar type. Unfortunately they don't make one for the 6L80.

The original idea is being tested on a car with stock manifolds within the next few days.

This is the transmission dipstick. Different trans. The only thing that's even remotely possible, at least for a car with headers, is a flexible firewall mount stick like the Lokar type. Unfortunately they don't make one for the 6L80.

Duh. Why didn't I remember that?

scaGTO you dipstick. lol

The proper level of fluid to be measured must be known, what level would represent full and what level would indicate low ,there is more involved than just putting a dipstick in a hole .

The proper level of fluid to be measured must be known, what level would represent full and what level would indicate low ,there is more involved than just putting a dipstick in a hole .

it's very simple, check it the factory way first, install the stick, mark as needed.

scaGTO you dipstick. lol

Sorry. GM has been using a 4-speed auto for so long, I forgot that the G8 has a different trans.

I did it with 4 jack stands
I measure the distance from ground to where jack stands gonna support the car. and make same difference in height on the jack stands. when she is lift up in the air, It will be level as if she is sitting on the ground.



Great post.
Another way, other than the measured jack-stands is to use four Rhyno ramps.

Great post.
Another way, other than the measured jack-stands is to use four Rhyno ramps.

Hmmmmm..... So you jack it up and put the second set of ramps under it? Seems stands are easier if you have to jack it anyway.

Hmmmmm..... So you jack it up and put the second set of ramps under it? Seems stands are easier if you have to jack it anyway.

Drive it on up the four ramps is what I'd do...

Drive it on up the four ramps is what I'd do...

Really? Explain that process please.

Really? Explain that process please.

I actully built my own ramps (for my Firebird) long ago, before Rhyno ramps were invented, but I'd assume you'd do it the same way; Place the ramps in-front of the four tires and drive it on up!

I've done it twice, now. Would you like me to post a video?

Do you think this is not possible with actual Rhyno ramps?

I actully built my own ramps (for my Firebird) long ago, before Rhyno ramps were invented, but I'd assume you'd do it the same way; Place the ramps in-front of the four tires and drive it on up!

I've done it twice, now. Would you like me to post a video?

Do you think this is not possible with actual Rhyno ramps?

You'll never get the ramps in front of the rear tires, car is too low. Haven't measured it but looks to be way too low.

You'll never get the ramps in front of the rear tires, car is too low. Haven't measured it but looks to be way too low.

Ah!
Mine (my home-made ones) *just* fit!

The fluid in the transmission is synthetic , there's no need to change to it.

I hope you're right about the 6 speed auto coming with synthetic transmission fluid from the factory. Where did you see this?

I hope you're right about the 6 speed auto coming with synthetic transmission fluid from the factory. Where did you see this?

The car's manual is a good place to start.

sounds like you fill / check it like a motocross bike minus the correct temp that it needs to be at?