A/T - ATF Dipstick Too Short, Overfill Concern
85bmw08GROUP 24 Automatic Transmission
Bulletin Number 24 02 85 (1027) Page 1 of 2
Montvale, NJ July 1985 Technical Dept.
SUBJECT: Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid Level
MODELS: All
Condition: Fluid (ATF) escapes from filler tube or transmission breather when driving on the highway with a heavy load or in the mountains.
Cause: Automatic transmission overfilled with fluid because early dipstick was too short and would not show actual fluid level if temperature was below 104~F (40~C).
Correction: An approximately 20 mm longer dipstick (P/N 24 11 1 207 767) is used in production as of 2/85. It can be retrofitted to the following automatic transmissions:
Checking
Procedure: (Vehicles equipped or retrofitted with long dipstick) Drive vehicle for 5 to 10 minutes; this will bring the fluid temperature up to approx. 104~F (40~C). With engine running at idle and transmission in P or N range, the fluid must reach the bottom bead.
At a fluid temperature of 176~F (80~C), the reading on the dipstick should be between the two upper beads. This temperature is reached after approx. 12 miles (20 kilometers) of fast driving.