I have 9500 miles on my 2004 Ram, and I changed the transmission fluid at 4500 miles because I dropped the pan to install a trans temp gauge sending unit. I refilled the transmission with ATF+4 from MOPAR, and everything has be great....utnil I changed the engine oil today and checked the tranny fluid.

The fluid was dead in the middle of the hash mark on the stick, but it seemed to have a lot of foamy bubbles in it....anyone else notice that???

It may have always looked like this but I never really paid attention before. The engine was hot when I checked it, as I just towed our 5th wheeler home to get it ready for the weekend....

I sure appreciate any response....thanks

 

Zog...don't know if your 04 is the same as my 03, but I had a miserable time figuring out how to check the fluid level in the 48RE trans.
Although there should be no difference, when I check the trans oil in Park after cycling through the gears it is always FOAMY and way above the full line on the dipstick. However when I check it in Neutral after cycling through the gears (like it says in the owner's manual) it shows very low cold and is supposed to get progressively higher on the stick as the temp increases. In the shop manual it has a chart for oil levels against temperature and it shows that when it is cold the level should be significantly below the "OK" line (15mm from bottom of dipstick at 80 deg F) and at the "Full" line when the trans is hot (200 deg F).

I took it on a trip on the highway and checked it after 60 miles and it showed very low (well below the "OK" hash marks - even below the little hole). So I filled it to the bottom of the "OK" hash marks and continued on. Checked it again after another 60 miles and it was way over-full. I finally got a good thermometer and adjusted the oil level according to the chart in the shop manual.

Sorry to ramble on, but this has been driving me nuts !!!!

Anyone else have an opinion on how to check trans oil level ???

 

When I bought my truck the ATF was 1-1.5" above the full mark when checked hot on level ground in neutral. That's from the factory that way????

my .02

Jamie

 

What did you find out about the foamy fluid?
Chris

 

Correct way to check fluid level.

Drive at least 10 miles.
Park on level ground, very important.
set parking brake.
Put transmission in neutral.
Check fluid level.
Should read full, if not add accordingly.

 

You need to add " leave engine running"!!!