1996 Transmission Fluid Question

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Hi All:

New to the forum. Long story short I find myself back at my family's house in CT on the lake that I grew up on due to COVID-19. I'm here with my kids and my brother has been kind enough to let me borrow his 1996 Ski Nautique for the summer (I've been ski-boatless for 18 years - I tried buying it from him but he wouldn't part with it). This boat is his pride and joy and he maintains it as such. I religiously check the engine oil and transmission fluid before each outing. This weekend I had a hard time seeing the transmission fluid level on the dipstick. I know fluid is there because when I pull the dipstick out (after drying it and re-inserting it) I'm able to see some fluid on the dipstick but its really hard to see what the actual level is. Does anyone else have this problem? Should I add a little bit of Dexron II-D? Do you fill through the dipstick tube or is there another location to add fluid?

[Jonny Quest]

Assuming trans cooler and lines are full, the PCM transmission holds 2 quarts of Dextron III fluid. If it hasn’t been changed in a while, now is a good time to do it. Use an automotive type fluid extractor. Use a copper tube end piece that goes into the transmission dip stick / fill hole. Yo want to remove as much as possible...hopefully close to 2 Qts. Then refill. Good to go.

To answer your question on how to check the fluid level — have the engine cover open with the engine running (transmission in neutral). Turn off the engine and as quickly as possible pull out the dipstick on the transmission. That should tell you the current level of transmission fluid. Refer to the PCM owners manual for the “full” Mark. You can add small amounts of fluid until you get to the full mark on the dipstick. Don’t overfill.

JQ

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Ah thank you. I've been checking it when it is on the trailer cold. I know my brother changes all the fluids each season so it was changed in June and I've put about 20 hours on the engine & transmission. I'll check it in the water after it has run as you suggested. Thank you!!!

[Canuck-Surfer]

If it was changed to 20 hours ago, it’s fine.