Transmission dipstick question

[MarkLeininger]

On my B2710, when I pull the transmission level dipstick after it's been sitting for awhile it comes out bone dry. But if I stick it right back in and pull it out, it reads up to the full level. How's this possible? If it was dry when I took it out the first time, how did it get into the fluid when I reinserted it?

 

[Earl Ohl]

That's normal. That shows that you have a good seal at the O-ring on the dipstick. The hydraulic oil can't get up into the dipstick tube until you remove the dipstick the first time.

 

[slan]

Alright, mystery solved for me as well.

Another question along the same line.
How can you read the fluid level when the fluid is so clean?
Man, I have such a hard time seeing where the level actually is I would like to add some dye to it so it can be read easier
Dont worry, wouldnt do that.
Any tips out there or I am just going blind?

 

[MarkLeininger]

That's normal. That shows that you have a good seal at the O-ring on the dipstick. The hydraulic oil can't get up into the dipstick tube until you remove the dipstick the first time.

My ego now has to deal with the fact that I don't even know how a dipstick works.

I can't picture what you're describing. Are you saying there's a tube that the dipstick goes into, and after the tractor sits for awhile the fluid drains out of the tube. But when I pull the dipstick the fluid can now get in the tube? I'm not able to imagine how the tube is configured with respect to the fluid level, o-ring, and transmission case. Tell me more...

 

[Earl Ohl]

My ego now has to deal with the fact that I don't even know how a dipstick works.

I can't picture what you're describing. Are you saying there's a tube that the dipstick goes into, and after the tractor sits for awhile the fluid drains out of the tube. But when I pull the dipstick the fluid can now get in the tube? I'm not able to imagine how the tube is configured with respect to the fluid level, o-ring, and transmission case. Tell me more...[/QUOTE]

The transmission dipstick probably has an o-ring or something similiar on it near the top to keep contamination out of the transmission. If that o-ring makes a tight seal there is probably a little pressure, left over from the last time the tractor was run, in the tube or channel where the dipstick goes in. The oil that is on the dipstick drips off over time, and no oil can flow to the dipstick until the seal is broken by removing the dipstick. This is what keeps the oil off the dipstick.

 

[Earl Ohl]

Alright, mystery solved for me as well.

Another question along the same line.
How can you read the fluid level when the fluid is so clean?
Man, I have such a hard time seeing where the level actually is I would like to add some dye to it so it can be read easier
Dont worry, wouldnt do that.
Any tips out there or I am just going blind?[/QUOTE]

I have the same trouble. I need a good bright light to read the dipstick.

 

[MarkLeininger]

The transmission dipstick probably has an o-ring or something similiar on it near the top to keep contamination out of the transmission. If that o-ring makes a tight seal there is probably a little pressure, left over from the last time the tractor was run, in the tube or channel where the dipstick goes in. The oil that is on the dipstick drips off over time, and no oil can flow to the dipstick until the seal is broken by removing the dipstick. This is what keeps the oil off the dipstick.

Thanks, I understand that. I looked in the shop manual and can't find any pictures of the transmission that show that area in cross section. Maybe I'll stick my little fiber optic scope down there next time I have the tractor in the garage to see what I can see. You'll probably see my post asking how to recover the end off a fiber optic scope after it falls into the transmission.

 

[Earl Ohl]

Thanks, I understand that. I looked in the shop manual and can't find any pictures of the transmission that show that area in cross section. Maybe I'll stick my little fiber optic scope down there next time I have the tractor in the garage to see what I can see. You'll probably see my post asking how to recover the end off a fiber optic scope after it falls into the transmission.[/QUOTE]

Maybe it doesn't have an o-ring. I'm not familiar enough with that tractor model. The dipstick itself might be a real tight fit. Maybe it's best to just let it alone if its working as it should be? You might end up getting dirt down in there.

 

[Barneyhunts]

Alright, mystery solved for me as well.

.
How can you read the fluid level when the fluid is so clean?
I usually lay it on my finger to insure it's wet and how far up the stick the level is. (a clean finger)

 

[bandit67]

Pull the dipstick out, clean it with a dry rag, paper towel etc, then re-insert it. Pull it back out and read the level under GOOD LIGHT, and you'll see the shiny wet (nearly clear) fluid against the dry, flat color of the dipstick.

At least that's what works best for me. If the light levels are too low in the garage, I can't see the fluid on the stick either.

 

[JoeL4330]

I believe Chevron makes an orange colored fluid that meets all the specs ...

Two tiny drilled holes work; and, you can always lay the dipstick flat on a clean sheet of paper and you will see the fluid on the paper.

 

[QueBota]

Mine is usually dry the first time I pull it also. I wipe the residue off and reinsert then when I pull it out again I quickly turn it horizontal and lay it on a clean blue/red shop paper towel (the heavy duty paper towels you see it most auto parts places). This helps me see where the fluid is in relation to the stick, I can't see the fluid on the yellow dipstick to save my life.

Dave

 

[robertm]

Wow! An old issue resurfacing. I took a black permanent marker and colored the bottom of the dipstick really well. Now, even in poor light, the fluid shows up nicely as it is really shiny against the black. Certainly, the little marker won't hurt anything. Once in a long while, I re-color it again.