Gearbox - Oil Level check

[asteven221]

I have a couple of ZF220A gearboxes attached to my TAMD63P engines and despite reading the manual cannot find the exact way to check the oil level. I know it's done whilst the engine is running, but the dipstick has a seal/coller on it which is about 15mm in lenght. Should I push the dipstick fully home and take the reading then, or do I just insert the dipstick so that the seal/coller stops on the top of the tube and take it from there. As the level marks are about 15mm apart and the fact that the rubber seal is about 15mm means that if I get it wrong then I could be thinking that the oil level is at the top mark, when in fact it's at the bottom. I suspect that it should be inserted fully home but it's bugging me that I might get this wrong.

One other thing, the manual does say not to overfill, but it is actually quite hard to get a really clear level showing on the dipstick due to smearing of the oil when removing it to look at the level. If by accident it is very slightly over the top mark e.g, 1 or 2mm are we talking disaster, or is not quite that critical i.e. maybe half a jamjar's worth over?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[volvopaul]

Hi not an easy job if the engine rooms a tight one.

Run the engine to warm up the oil, run engine at idle speed, remove the stick, smear some oil on the o ring, it helps it go back in, then insert it fully, remove and take reading, if its between the 2 marks then its fine, if you have changed the oil then fill it to the max and no more.

 

[spannerman]

Run the engines, select forward and reverse a couple of times then switch off and check the level immediately, handy if you have someone at the helm unless the floorboards are up so you can jump straight down into the engine room. Check the level by fully insertingthe dipstick.
A couple of mm over isn't going to hurt, but I always aim for around 1/2 way so there is some leeway for expansion when warm.

 

[moonraker 36]

Run the engines, select forward and reverse a couple of times then switch off and check the level immediately, handy if you have someone at the helm unless the floorboards are up so you can jump straight down into the engine room. Check the level by fully insertingthe dipstick.
A couple of mm over isn't going to hurt, but I always aim for around 1/2 way so there is some leeway for expansion when warm.

that's the way borg warner gearbox's are checked aswell...

 

[asteven221]

Thanks for the info and advice.