Fluid

[RCREYES]

How often should you change the fluid? That's one question that i haven't found an answer for anywhere.

 

[PopRichie77]

The fluid in most auto transmissions are filled for life except if the vehicle is used for towing or other heavy duty. The pump unit in the Hi-Lo uses Dextron transmission fluid and it never gets hot like an auto transmission does especially when towing, heat breaks down the fluid, and there is a lot of wear contamients in an auto trans, so I would think it would never need to be changed, unless it got contaminated in some way. Just my opinion.

 

[RCREYES]

Makes perfect sense. I was thinking about contamination and water absorption.

 

[PopRichie77]

There isn't much fluid in the pump system and most of it is in the tank when the top is down, so the cost of changing it wouldn't be much, just need a sucktion pump to easily remove the old. If it gives one pease of mind then it is well worth the few bucks.

 

[harleyshyguy]

just bought a 69 hilo last year ..how do I know if the fluid is low ? or full ? seems like the higher mine gets the slower it gets .. I was thinking it needs fluid ? but not sure ?

 

[RCREYES]

just bought a 69 hilo last year ..how do I know if the fluid is low ? or full ? seems like the higher mine gets the slower it gets .. I was thinking it needs fluid ? but not sure ?

You should have about 1" from the top of the reservoir when in the fully lowered position.

 

[harleyshyguy]

hum ok thanks ... a lot and I would assume that your talking about the pump itself .. there is a grey camp that twist off on the top of the pump .. should it should be a inch from the top when its fully lowered ... I will have to get flashlight and look down in there tonight ... if its not what type of fluid should be put back into it ? thanks for the help..

 

[JackandJanet]

Use Dextron fluid. My manual says Dextron II, but you won't find that easily anymore. I added Dextron III to my reservoir when I needed to top it off and have not had any problems.

I made a "dip stick" out of a straw that I bent 90 degrees, so I could get it into the tank with the top down. You could use a bent wire too. There's no way I can see into the tank with the top down on my trailer.

- Jack

 

[sam-HILO]

adding fluid to pump

If my memory serves me correctly our HiLo dealer had to use a mechanics mirror to see our fluid level. This is on a 1990 25ft. Classic.

 

[PappaP]

I did the "dip stick" method with a straw that Jack explained as well. Just pinch the straw between your fingers at the top edge of the pump reservoir opening and then when you pull the straw out of the hole you will see how far down on the straw where the liquid is showing and then be able to measure that distance. This is probably the easiest method to help figure out the level if you can't see it on the outside of the tank.