So I may have messed up my fitzstick installation…

[davidtg7123]

Hey all,

I think I must’ve messed this up. Not sure if the problem is due to not tightening the adapter enough, not tightening the hose enough, or some sort of cross threading. I really struggled with this installation due to lack of space.

Based on where the fluid is in this vid assuming it’s just the hose needs tightened or maybe it’s cross threaded. I’m thinking of backing it out all the way and then tightening it back down.

Do you guys have any ideas?? Thanks in advance

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[Dereku]

Its not screwed down all the way. Only catching by a few threads. That is the hardest part of the install.

 

[airline tech]

Yes you will be fighting hose twist at that connection, disconnect the support at the top and take the flex out of the hose and then tighten the connection, I would have to check mine to view how many threads are showing with it fully secured or you can view some of the install pics or video to get a comparison.

 

[Dereku]

I dont think mine has any threads visible. Just a gap between the spinning part and the base. I was just under there Saturday doing a pan.

 

[davidtg7123]

Got it much tighter today for some reason… honestly probably all the leaking ULV lubricating it... Does this look about right to you guys? Seemed like it still might’ve been leaking a bit but hard to tell what’s new vs earlier. Tried my best to dry it out and will look closer tomorrow after work.

Also- after driving around for 15min-ish, my dipstick only has a little ULV on the bottom. In order to get an actual reading I gotta shut the engine off, in which case it looks to be about 4ish. Sign that it’s low? Or user error LOL

 

[davidtg7123]

And is this the gap that it’s meant to feed through? It seemed based on the video that’s what the guy was saying but it was a struggle getting it not to wrap around those transmission lines

 

[Dereku]

It looks perfect now. The routing…. Well I just followed the directions and hoped for the best. I never really looked at it

 

[RangerBill]

Got it much tighter today for some reason… honestly probably all the leaking ULV lubricating it... Does this look about right to you guys? Seemed like it still might’ve been leaking a bit but hard to tell what’s new vs earlier. Tried my best to dry it out and will look closer tomorrow after work.

Also- after driving around for 15min-ish, my dipstick only has a little ULV on the bottom. In order to get an actual reading I gotta shut the engine off, in which case it looks to be about 4ish. Sign that it’s low? Or user error LOL

You have to check the level with the transmission fluid hot (10 - 15 mile drive). With the truck stopped, with engine running, put the transmission selector in each position for a few seconds and return to park. Keep the engine running and then check the reading on the dipstick.

 

[davidtg7123]

You have to check the level with the transmission fluid hot (10 - 15 mile drive). With the truck stopped, with engine running, put the transmission selector in each position for a few seconds and return to park. Keep the engine running and then check the reading on the dipstick.

I was trying this but only getting a small bit of ATF on the way bottom of the dipstick. I thought it might be the dipstick but it returns the same value as the OEM dipstick did for a cold tranny (right around 4) so thinking I’m just super low on fluid

 

[Dereku]

I cant get mine to the recommended level without driving like an ass for 10 minutes. Mine was on 3 after a replacement transmission when cold. The tech verified it was perfect level when hot. So I just left mine in the garage over night for my fluid swap and put it back where it was. Might not be perfect but my logic is sound.

 

[davidtg7123]

I cant get mine to the recommended level without driving like an ass for 10 minutes. Mine was on 3 after a replacement transmission when cold. The tech verified it was perfect level when hot. So I just left mine in the garage over night for my fluid swap and put it back where it was. Might not be perfect but my logic is sound.

Thanks for the reply! I’m gonna get one of those OBD2 scanners and make sure I’m up to temp in the tranny before measuring again

 

[TJC]

I was trying this but only getting a small bit of ATF on the way bottom of the dipstick. I thought it might be the dipstick but it returns the same value as the OEM dipstick did for a cold tranny (right around 4) so thinking I’m just super low on fluid

Do this:

Park your truck on level ground at the end of the day.

The next morning start the truck, immediately run through the gears at 5 second intervals from park to sport and and back to park.

Immediately get out and check (within 1 minute) your fluid level using the Fitzstick. You should see the fluid no higher than 1/8" on the tip of the Fitzstick. If you do not see the fluid, fill until you get it to show on the tip of the Fitzstick. Do NOT wait! The longer you wait the higher the fluid level will rise skewing the reading.

See this link for more a detailed explanation and images

I have used this procedure at least 4 times and have measured the fluid at 215F to insure the accuracy of this method. At 215F the fluid will read at the diamond between 4 and 5. This is in the center of the Ford fluid level spec at the top of the fluid temperature window of 206F - 215F.

Best of luck.

 

[ControlNode]

I have used this procedure at least 4 times and have measured the fluid at 215F to insure the accuracy of this method. At 215F the fluid will read at the diamond between 4 and 5. This is in the center of the Ford fluid level spec at the top of the fluid temperature window of 206F - 215F.

Best of luck.

I guess I'll need to hook up a trailer and drive it hard to get to that temp. I'm normally at 190-200, even towing the trailers and driving normal I normally only see 210.

 

[TJC]

I guess I'll need to hook up a trailer and drive it hard to get to that temp. I'm normally at 190-200, even towing the trailers and driving normal I normally only see 210.

Nope, simply power brake the engine while monitoring the fluid temperature to reach the target temps above 200F.

Or you can simply use my chart and fill to the the level on the Fitzstick for the fluid temperature you are seeing. All of the levels marked at different temps result in the fluid being at the diamond between 4 and 5 at 215F. Dead center of the fluid window. For 190F-200F fill to the area between 5 and the first hash mark. Do not fill to the hash mark above 5. DO NOT OVERFILL.

 

[Titchadesh]

Hey all,

I think I must’ve messed this up. Not sure if the problem is due to not tightening the adapter enough, not tightening the hose enough, or some sort of cross threading. I really struggled with this installation due to lack of space.

Based on where the fluid is in this vid assuming it’s just the hose needs tightened or maybe it’s cross threaded. I’m thinking of backing it out all the way and then tightening it back down.

Do you guys have any ideas?? Thanks in advance

FWIW I installed my stick a month ago and had the exact same issue. During install I thought I had everything tight and snug but it is very hard to verify that due to angle and lack of space. After a week of driving on a whim I glance underneath to make sure no leak and the bottom of the pan and heat shields had fluid on them.

The top connector had a few revolutions remaining to get it tight, so I’m guessing at the end of my install I had it “tight” but there were threads showing just as you. Like you, I think the leaking fluid actually made it possible for the connector to go down as far as it was supposed to.

Checked my fluid level and I was low just enough for me to add in a bottle Lubegard to get back what I had lost—so it ended up being serendipitous because I had been wanting to siphon out fluid and add in Lubegard anyway.

Just wanted to validate that the same issue happened to me, and to warn others to verify as best you can that there are no threads showing

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