I'm having trouble determining the correct fluid level in my trannsmission. It's on an '82 500SEC. I have the MB Technical Companion book by Bentley Publishers (GREAT BOOK!!!) and it gives good info on getting the proper fill level on an ambient temp tranny with running engine. My problem is actually reading the dipstick. I can pull the d/s 4 times and get four different readings: fluid near the bottom only, the top only, along one edge , on the side oppisite the min/max stamp.

I think my problem is I'm wanting to find a clear line of demarcation between oil and no oil. Is it supposed to be just a thin line along one edge? I know there is a finite line between min and max level.

I know I have too much ATF in it now, because with the engine running I have a few small bubbles at the tip of the d/s. But at this present level, when I turn the car off and wait a minute, the fluid level is settles just above (with a clear line) where the book says it's supposed to be. Can I accurately get a proper reading doing it this way?

Shameless bump...Need some advice here.

You NEED to check it with it running. From my experience, air bubbles often occur when the level is too low, not too high, unlike engine oil. If you can't get a solid reading on the dipstick, it's USUALLY because you're a cup to a pint low. if you pull it out and the bubbles are on the tip of the dipstick, the fluid is low and foaming and the foam is what's touching the dipstick and dipstick tube.

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

Ok..gotcha on that part.

How about the actual reading on the dipstick? Is it to be completely covered on both sides with oil? Right now I have oil on one side, along the edge that extends way past the max level. The tip has fluid on it (no bubbles), but like I said only half the d/s has fluid on it. If I add or remove 2-4 ozs, it dramatically changes the level, never any where close to where its supposed to be.

I'm guessing it's still low, but I've got more than 6 qts in it now.