[DougR]

For the life of me I cannot find where the dipstick or whatever this car has to check the level of the manual transmission fluid is. The car manual is useless, and I have not been able to find anything specific to my car in searching.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[PMI]

Go to genuinesaab.com, reference section. Find the document on "new manual transmission fluid". It has a diagram of the gearcase, and instructions. The diagram shows three plugs. Fill plug on top, inspection/level plug on the side (behind the wheel), drain plug on the bottom of the transmission.

 

[DougR]

Weird that you have to remove the wheel just to inspect the transmission oil level. That is kinda scary, especially if you have a leak.

 

[PMI]

Weird that you have to remove the wheel just to inspect the transmission oil level. That is kinda scary, especially if you have a leak.

Yes, considering that many Saab transmissions leak at the output shaft seal eventually. I don't think you have much to worry about with a car that is only 3-4 years old though.

 

[DougR]

Yes, considering that many Saab transmissions leak at the output shaft seal eventually. I don't think you have much to worry about with a car that is only 3-4 years old though.

We'll I am still trying to track down the source of an oil leak, so I thought I would make sure the tranny fluid was good. Although the leak is definitely the M1 I put in not to long ago because it is translucent. I would imagine it would be a bit darker if it was the tranny oil since the car has 55k on it.

I just noticed some oil at the bottom of the transmission piece to the right of the exhaust...the part that curves down, I don't know what its called, it could easily just be gathering at the bottom from whatever the leak is that is cause the collection on the exhaust as well.

 

[PMI]

My transmission oil was completely black, worse than any engine oil when I drained it at 100k. Should have done it a long time ago. Hopefully that is no longer the case with the new synthetic factory fill. If the car shifts well, and there are no large leaks, I would not be very concerned, I would just check the level at the plug using the directions from the Saab around 60k miles.

 

[DougR]

Exactly my thoughts. I am taking my car at 60k to a saab specialist I talked to extensively over the phone. At that point I am going to have them do the full service as well as fix any leaks that are feasible to fix. I am going to take the day from work and hopefully hang out with them for the most part and see what they do, as well as show them my concern areas once it is up in the air. It's something I cannot do at home.