Fabrik8, think you can explain this?

I had all good shifts under full-throttle except a slip going from 2-3. I found out there is a beefed up set of valve body springs sold by MB to retrofit for this very problem. That's the job I was doing that broke the dipstick.

Now my 2-3 shift is good, but my previously rock-solid, very fast, very firm, 1-2 shift now slips under full throttle.
The piston/springs I replaced in the job are only involved in the 2-3 and 3-2 shift.

ExxonMobil told me before I did the job that the new formula Mobil 1 ATF is backwards compatible (had the previous formula in the trans). This is the only thing I can think of that has changed, other than the piston/springs I changed that have nothing to do with the 1-2 shift. Any ideas?
The only other thing I can think of is when the dipstick broke, the fluid was at the min mark. The distance between min and max is 300mL. I since added 200mL (figuring that would put me in the range without going over). Could being 100mL short of the max line cause this? Or just for argument's sake being 100mL over the max line?

 

I'm not too versed in auto transmissions, but you've made two changes at once so it's hard to say which one is the problem. I'd be surprised if just changing the fluid was causing a problem, because that would mean that the new fluid formulation would make your otherwise properly functioning transmission slip. So either the new fluid is much lower friction, or your old fluid was really worn out and was hiding the fact that you actually need some transmission work. Neither of those seem especially likely, so I don't think it's the fluid.

I'm more inclined to think that the valve spring change has had an effect on something else, even if it is just a little trapped air somewhere. It is ultimately a hydraulic system, so all the same problems that brakes and hydraulic clutches have also apply here too.

That was my way of saying I don't really know. LOL.

I don't think 100mL of fluid either way would cause a problem with anything. That's only 1/10 of a liter, not very much for a trans that probably holds multiple quarts of fluid. There should be no problems with anything if you're in the right dipstick range.

 

Old fluid only has like 3000 miles on it, so I doubt that's it.

Trans entirely holds IIRC 9 liters.

I just drove it again, and it was fine...so I dunno...I did notice a few drips on the floor of my garage though. Either I've got a small leak, or a little too much fluid (it will bleed off excess fluid).

 

Drain plug wasn't tight. So...now that I have no idea how much fluid I lost...anybody have a dipstick for one of these that I can borrow? Apparently the diesels used the same dipstick, despite using a different trans.

 

Rather than simply buying the replacement dipstick and having it tomorrow, I had the Classic Center special order me the original dipstick (functionally identical, simply cosmetic differences) from the Germany warehouse meaning I won't have it for a week or so. What is wrong with me?

 

I don't want to have to drive without air conditioning. If anybody here has one of these dipsticks, I'll give you $5 ($3 in quarters...unless you can break a 20) to let me use it for however long it takes to get my level set.