Bubbles on Dipstick

[Reaper_Less]

Had a valve body replaced a few months ago at the Ford dealer. During the first day or two of the relearn it had rough shifting in random gears so I checked the dip stick and it was overfilled by 1 quart. After I removed it, I got it between the 4 and 5. Checked it over a dozen times throughout the week and it was perfect. Still had rough shifting on 4th and 8th gear and the dealer said it should get better during the relearn. I checked the dip stick today, at temp, and it was between the 3 and 4. But the fluid was extremely bubbly.

Any idea what could cause the bubbles? Or the fluid to rise to 3.5 on the dip stick when I had it at 4.5?

I know overfilling can cause it but I made sure it was correct. I've always suspected they put a bad valve body in but I'm not sure if that could cause bubbles.

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[AzScorpion]

I have to admit after reading the title I was really nervous opening this thread.

There's a lot of good info in this article as to what causes it and some solutions to fix it. Hopefully it's just something simple like changing the oil...Good luck

https://www.automotiverider.com/bubbles-on-oil-dipstick/

 

[airline tech]

I highly suspect coolant leaking into the transmission fluid - via oil cooler, if the fluid is rising.
Is your coolant level dropping?

 

[Dereku]

I highly suspect coolant leaking into the transmission fluid - via oil cooler, if the fluid is rising.
Is your coolant level dropping?

Thats a terrifying thought….. why do all these heat exchangers mix fluids anymore. Air is wonderful.

 

[Reaper_Less]

I have to admit after reading the title I was really nervous opening this thread.

There's a lot of good info in this article as to what causes it and some solutions to fix it. Hopefully it's just something simple like changing the oil...Good luck

https://www.automotiverider.com/bubbles-on-oil-dipstick/

Thanks for that. I have bubbles on the transmission dipstick.

 

[ctechbob]

Are you monitoring temps in any way on the trans?

Also, what kind of drive did you do prior to checking? High speed highway or just crawling around?

 

[Reaper_Less]

I highly suspect coolant leaking into the transmission fluid - via oil cooler, if the fluid is rising.
Is your coolant level dropping?

The coolant has been dropping very slowly. I did some research on that and some people say it shouldn't drop at all and some say it's normal for coolant to evaporate. I live in so cal so temps here can get into the 90s in December and not too long ago 114° for 3 straight days. I am going to check it in the morning when it's completely cool, same goes for the atf. I want to see if it's bubbly when cold.

 

[Reaper_Less]

Are you monitoring temps in any way on the trans?

Also, what kind of drive did you do prior to checking? High speed highway or just crawling around?

I check the temps with the Ford tuner, I made sure it was passed 205° for the week I checked it. For today when I noticed the bubbles, it was after a 2 hour drive at 50-60 mph. Just randomly checked it right after and it was almost completely bubbly. Got my scan tool and the tuner, checked the dipstick at 190° and 204°. Still very bubbly, it could've still been aerated.

 

[ctechbob]

The reason I ask about the driving.

10R's seem to be extremely sensitive to fluid level during high speed driving. From personal experience, the one time I had the fluid ever-so-slightly on the high side of full was the one time I had an issue with a runaway overheat and vented fluid, and that happened during a stretch of high speed (70-85mph) driving. For whatever reason, the fluid begins to foam, temperatures shoot through the roof, and things start going south in a hurry. Foamed fluid will probably give you bubbles on the stick. The ATF will have anti-foam additives, but that can only do so much. You put enough air in the fluid, you're going to see it on checking.

Once I slowed down under 70, everything cooled down and things returned to normal. Lesson learned , make sure the fluid is full, but on the 'low side' of full. Especially if you do a lot of highway driving.

I wouldn't be super concerned with water at this point. You can always pull a small sample of the fluid. If it is milky after driving, you've got water. I haven't seen mention of failing heat exchangers on our trucks. Not that it can't happen, but it doesn't seem to be common.

https://www.sonnax.com/tech_resourc...hooting-ford-10-speed-atf-venting-overheating

 

[Reaper_Less]

The reason I ask about the driving.

10R's seem to be extremely sensitive to fluid level during high speed driving. From personal experience, the one time I had the fluid ever-so-slightly on the high side of full was the one time I had an issue with a runaway overheat and vented fluid, and that happened during a stretch of high speed (70-85mph) driving. For whatever reason, the fluid begins to foam, temperatures shoot through the roof, and things start going south in a hurry. Foamed fluid will probably give you bubbles on the stick. The ATF will have anti-foam additives, but that can only do so much. You put enough air in the fluid, you're going to see it on checking.

Once I slowed down under 70, everything cooled down and things returned to normal. Lesson learned , make sure the fluid is full, but on the 'low side' of full. Especially if you do a lot of highway driving.

I wouldn't be super concerned with water at this point. You can always pull a small sample of the fluid. If it is milky after driving, you've got water. I haven't seen mention of failing heat exchangers on our trucks. Not that it can't happen, but it doesn't seem to be common.

https://www.sonnax.com/tech_resourc...hooting-ford-10-speed-atf-venting-overheating

I thought it might have been cause of driving around most of the day. But I check the fluid this morning and no bubbles. Drove around in regular traffic under 40 mph until the trans temp hit 205° and the bubbles are back. Dropped it off at the dealer today so we'll see if they find anything.

 

[JasonTremor]

If bubbles only at higher temperature, I'd suspect it is overfilled and aerating the fluid. Since transmission fluid expands with increased temperature, it could be a touch overfilled causing the bubbles only at the higher temperature.

 

[JasonTremor]

And if there was coolant mixing with the trans fluid, you would know because it would look like a milkshake of sorts.

 

[got3fords]

I check the temps with the Ford tuner, I made sure it was passed 205° for the week I checked it.

How do you do that? I have the Livernois tuner and I think it is very similar.

 

[Reaper_Less]

How do you do that? I have the Livernois tuner and I think it is very similar.

I'll leave a link for the tuner I have. I can't plug it in right now but I think it's under "Data Logging". You can have it display trans temp, A/F, a whole bunch of useful stuff my scan tool can't display.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9603-REB

 

[OrangeStreak]

The dealer inadvertently filled the case with laundry soap...

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