I had my g/f's 04 Chevy Malibu out the other day.  I was driving down the road, come around a corner, and WHAM!! I run over a good sized boulder.  I didn't have room to stop (30mph), and if I had swerved to avoid the boulder I would've smacked the guy in the oncoming lane.    I stop the car, get out and look for damage.  The transmission pan has been slightly peeled away from the gasket, and it's leaking slowy.  I can't seem to find the tranny dipstick to check the level.  The car has the 2.2L engine.

Where and how do I check/fill the tranny fluid level?  The owners manual is of no help.

Where can I get a new pan/ gasket for a reasonable price?

I know accidents happen, but I feel like a real dummy

Thanks in advance

--VT

Call insurance Co. and see if they will cover damage. Had an engine replaced years ago due to 'road missile' damage from a rock.

'04 malibu? Put a fork in it....it's done.

It might not have a dipstick.  I bought a 2006 toyota tacoma and its doesn't have one either.  The rational is under normal driving conditions the fuild doesn't need changing.

Quoted: '04 malibu? Put a fork in it....it's done.

Thanks, but I like this little car; great on fuel, reliable.  I don't think there is any serious damage, but it would be nice to be able to check the fluid so that I know whether or not I can drive it to the dealer tomorrow.  

TIA

--VT

it doesn't have a dipstick. many cars are coming without them theses days.

check WAY back on the engine (towards the windshield.  Should be either a red or yellow cap that might NOT be a loop.  It could very well be a clip that looks kinda like a tap from a water cooler.  If you can't find it, RTFM

If it does not have a dipstick then it will still have
a fill cap and a plug on the side. unscrew the plug
on the side of the transmission and fill from the top.
When fliud starts pouring out the side hole then
it is full and you can replace the plug.

Quoted: If it does not have a dipstick then it will still have a fill cap and a plug on the side. unscrew the plug on the side of the transmission and fill from the top. When fliud starts pouring out the side hole then it is full and you can replace the plug.

Thanks jj, I'm going outside now to look closer.

--VT

You don't say if it's a stick or auto???????

All auto's have a dipstick, that also doubles as the fill tube as well.

If it's a stick, then it will have a fill plug similiar to the rear diff on a full sized American car. Most likely, yours will take ATF fluid regardless of tranny types.

My .o2

Here is the transmission fluid checking procedure.



The fluid level screw is intended to be used for diagnosing a transaxle fluid leak or resetting the transaxle fluid level after service that involves a loss of fluid.

Inspect
The fluid level should be checked when the transaxle is near Room temperature or at 40°C (104°F) .

CAUTION: Removal of the fluid level screw when the transaxle fluid is hot may cause injury. Use care to avoid contact of transaxle fluid to exhaust pipe.

The engine must be running when the transaxle fluid level screw is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fluid level screw. Have a container ready to capture any lost fluid.

WARNING: Do not turn the engine off with the fluid level screw removed as you can be injured by hot transaxle fluid being expelled out of the fluid check hole.
1. Let vehicle idle for three to five minutes with accessories off.
2. Apply brake
3. Move shift lever through all gear ranges, pausing three seconds in each range.
4. Place shift lever in Park. Important: Vehicle must be kept level on the hoist.
5. Raise vehicle on hoist.
6. Place oil container under fluid level screw.
7. Remove the fluid level screw with the engine running at idle.
8. Fluid level should be at the bottom of the fluid check hole. Because the transaxle operates correctly over a range of fluid levels, fluid may or may not drain out of the fluid check hole when the fluid level screw is removed. If fluid drains through the fluid check hole, this transaxle may have been overfilled. When fluid stops draining, the fluid level is correct and the fluid level screw may be installed. If fluid does not drain through the fluid check hole, the transaxle fluid level may be low. Proceed to ADDING TRANSAXLE FLUID.
9. Install fluid level screw. Tighten 12 Nm (106 lb. in.)
10. Lower vehicle.
11. Shut off engine. Adding Transaxle Fluid: With the engine running, add fluid at the vent cap location in half liter (1 pint) increments until fluid drains through the fluid check hole. Allow the fluid to finish draining through the fluid check hole.
1. Install fluid level screw. Tighten 12 Nm (106 lb. in.)
2. Lower vehicle.

A manual transmission will not have a pan. It is
safe to assume that he has a automatic transmission.
Not all auto transmissions will have a dipstick. They
are checked and filled as outlined above.

yep, dipstick should be near the firewall seperating the passenger compart. and the engine compart. The fill, dipstick fill may be a cap down low below the valve cover . Some were a pain to get to. A pan should be easy enough to find, maybe even a junkyard.

Quoted: It is safe to assume that he has a automatic transmission.

I've learned the hard way to never assume anything.

Not all auto transmissions will have a dipstick. They are checked and filled as outlined above.

Never seen an auto w/o a dipstick.    

Quoted: Quoted: It is safe to assume that he has a automatic transmission. I've learned the hard way to never assume anything. Not all auto transmissions will have a dipstick. They are checked and filled as outlined above. Never seen an auto w/o a dipstick.

Quoted: Quoted: It is safe to assume that he has a automatic transmission. I've learned the hard way to never assume anything. Not all auto transmissions will have a dipstick. They are checked and filled as outlined above. Never seen an auto w/o a dipstick.

trust 'em on this one....I've serviced many of those trannys...no dipstick..just a fluid check plug and a red screw in plug on the top of the trans.

Thanks for the info guys.  The transmission is in fact an automatic.  I am wondering how much fluid the tranny can afford to lose before damage is done to it?  We drove about 10 miles coming down the mountain after the damage occured.  I have a tow truck on the way over now to haul it to the dealer.  I'm really hoping the tranny isn't damaged, the car only has 28k on the clock.

--VT

You can lose about half your fluid & still drive a few miles before any real damage is done, IMO.

Quoted: no dipstick..just a fluid check plug and a red screw in plug on the top of the trans.

Those plugs I've seen like that all had dipsticks attached to them........................................