RodeoDaddy

OK.. I've done something stupid and nothing I'm really proud of... Draining my AT fluid in my 4x4 '97 Rodeo. Now, being a computer geek (not a car mechanic), I'm good at research and now know what to do to refill the fluids. But, does anyone have any info on how to actually GET to the fill plug as it seems a little out of sight high up in the vehicle?

Tips or step-by-steps are all welcome. Please help. Thanks!

Canucklehead

Not that I have an Auto Tranny but Haynes says that you fill it "through the overfill screw opening until it just starts to run out of the opening."

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2000 VW New Beetle TDI
2007 Honda CR-V

rodeo02

Try a search. There is tons of detailed info on this. The fill/level check plug is just like the drain plug you pulled. It's just a few inches over, facing downward recessed into the rear corner of the large transmission pan. You have to pump ATF up into the fill port with a hand pump or the likes. Don't drive low on ATF or you will cook your 4L30E in no time.
G/luck
Joel

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2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD 2.7L
2008 Honda Odyssey LX chick magnet
Gone but not forgotten : 2007 Chevy Cobalt LS, 2001 Ford Windstar LX, 2005 Trailblazer LS 4x4, 2002 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4x4 & and many more.

RodeoDaddy

Thanks, Joel. That's exactly what I needed to know.

RodeoDaddy

Welp... Got it done. Not too much trouble. Used the Garden Sprayer method to fill 'er up. Had to find a length of 3/8" hose to thread on to the sprayer nozzle in order to get it up high enough inside. Made sure I shfted through all gears after initil fill, stuck it in neutral then topped it off. After running it around for a while, I double checked the lvels and it seemed it was still full, as fluid sputtered out of the fill hole while running. Plugged 'er back up and all seems well.

So far it hasn't burned up on me. Again, thanks for all the great help given to me and what I was able to find here.

rodeo02

Good to hear you got it done! What I did that helped quite a bit is, made a 'hook' out of a piece of 3/8" copper tubing. Clamp the hose to the tubing & route the hook thru the fill hole so it stays in place nicely, and pump away! Fairly mess free, but I'd still like to slap the engineering marvels that eliminated the ATF dipstick !
G/luck
Joel

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2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD 2.7L
2008 Honda Odyssey LX chick magnet
Gone but not forgotten : 2007 Chevy Cobalt LS, 2001 Ford Windstar LX, 2005 Trailblazer LS 4x4, 2002 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4x4 & and many more.

marcre

Agreed, the engineers made it so many people can't or wont do their tranny flush. Insteed they will pay to have it done. I did not feel comfortable enough to do mine so I had it done.

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2007 VW Jetta 2.5 5sp


1999 Rodeo LS 3.2 4x4 SOLD, but not forgotten
My Rodeo

surferfletch

Before I figured it out, I had to have mine towed. DUH!