2018 10R80 Dipstick

[Pistol_91]

Good thread. For the guys who were low from the factory and have changed their fluid out. Have you noticed any difference in performance or drivability from filling it to the correct level opposed to the factory filled level?

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[Brokestang]

When my car was new if you took off hard when the transmission was cold and then slowed to a stop it would sometimes have a very hard downshift into 1st gear. After I found out it's better to let it warm up before getting on it I let my car idle long enough for the engine to come up close to operating temperature before I start driving. Then I wait till the transmission at least is around 150 degrees before any "spirited" driving. After this I haven't had any hard downshifts. So I haven't noticed any difference after having the correct fluid amount in it compared to the great quality ford installed fluid level. But my car is a 2020 with 10,000 miles on it now.

 

[Snakebyte]

@cjatrains (Chris) and I have been communicating about the different dipsticks, relative to critical dimensions for the two different styles Ford put in the 10R80 transmissions.

-Chris posted a pic with dimensions for the OEM dipstick he has on a 2022 Mach 1 which has numbers on it to identify acceptable/non-acceptable fluid levels. That was very helpful.​

-I took a pic of my 2019 10R80 OEM dipstick which uses letters to identify acceptable/non-acceptable fluid levels.​

When placing the different dipsticks side-by-side we can see evidence that Ford made a significant machining change between the two model versions. Of course Ford had to modify the plastic dipsticks accordingly.

You will see from the pic below that there are critical dimensions that remain the same regardless of the model year version. Those critical measurements are taken from the machined flange of the 19mm hex headed cap, which happens to be the sealing surface for the cap as well.

Comparing dimension notes with @cjatrains we realized that the critical dimension from the cap's sealing surface to the acceptable range is exactly the same. (Between 50mm and 60mm). Please excuse the photo distortions.

So...when replacing an OEM dipstick with a hose dipstick, you'll want to pay very close attention to the hose length and those critical dimensions. My hose dipstick off eBay was woefully short on that critical dimension. I had to shorten my aftermarket hose substantially, effectively lengthening the dipstick reach into the transmission reservoir.

Realizing there may be variations between aftermarket dipstick hose suppliers, a correct length to shorten a hose to cannot be given. So you'll want to identify from the assembly you receive, what is necessary to get the readings to correlate to A on the OEM dipstick, or to between #4 and #5 on your OEM dipstick, whichever your case is.

Word of caution. If/when you must cut the aftermarket hose, shorten it on the top end. Ask me how I know.

 

[cjatrains]

@cjatrains (Chris) and I have been communicating about the different dipsticks, relative to critical dimensions for the two different styles Ford put in the 10R80 transmissions.

-Chris posted a pic with dimensions for the OEM dipstick he has on a 2022 Mach 1 which has numbers on it to identify acceptable/non-acceptable fluid levels. That was very helpful.​

-I took a pic of my 2019 10R80 OEM dipstick which uses letters to identify acceptable/non-acceptable fluid levels.​

When placing the different dipsticks side-by-side we can see evidence that Ford made a significant machining change between the two model versions. Of course Ford had to modify the plastic dipsticks accordingly.

You will see from the pic below that there are critical dimensions that remain the same regardless of the model year version. Those critical measurements are taken from the machined flange of the 19mm hex headed cap, which happens to be the sealing surface for the cap as well.

Comparing dimension notes with @cjatrains we realized that the critical dimension from the cap's sealing surface to the acceptable range is exactly the same. (Between 50mm and 60mm). Please excuse the photo distortions.

So...when replacing an OEM dipstick with a hose dipstick, you'll want to pay very close attention to the hose length and those critical dimensions. My hose dipstick off eBay was woefully short on that critical dimension. I had to shorten my aftermarket hose substantially, effectively lengthening the dipstick reach into the transmission reservoir.

Realizing there may be variations between aftermarket dipstick hose suppliers, a correct length to shorten a hose to cannot be given. So you'll want to identify from the assembly you receive, what is necessary to get the readings to correlate to A on the OEM dipstick, or to between #3 and #4 on your OEM dipstick, whichever your case is.

Word of caution. If/when you must cut the aftermarket hose, shorten it on the top end. Ask me how I know.

OK that is really great information. It's discouraging that they spent the engineering hours to change the dipstick, and not engineer a factory ATF tube and dipstick assembly accessible from the engine compartment !!! Would have been such a "value added" addition.

Great job here, at least it proves that the methodology/measurements to add an "after-market" 10R80 Dipstick Tube assembly is virtually identical for either configuration working off the machined top of the boss (aluminum cap sealing surface) is essentially identical.

That photo also tells me there's a little wiggle room to make the aftermarket slightly longer without hitting the bottom of the pan. My plan is to do the shortening operation and not mark the after-market dipstick until I have it essentially assembled on the bench with the new cap fully threaded down and then I can mark my 50mm, 60mm and 70 mm dimensions. When I have open again, I'll verify that my pan is deep enough, but I sincerely doubt the plastic pans are different depths. I'll just have to be careful to remember to "loosen" the AN fittings prior to installation so I have some rotational forgiveness.....

Just so frustrating as cars with Automatic transmissions have had full length dipsticks for what like 70 years ?

 

[Snakebyte]

OK that is really great information. It's discouraging that they spent the engineering hours to change the dipstick, and not engineer a factory ATF tube and dipstick assembly accessible from the engine compartment !!! Would have been such a "value added" addition.

Great job here, at least it proves that the methodology/measurements to add an "after-market" 10R80 Dipstick Tube assembly is virtually identical for either configuration working off the machined top of the boss (aluminum cap sealing surface) is essentially identical.

That photo also tells me there's a little wiggle room to make the aftermarket slightly longer without hitting the bottom of the pan. My plan is to do the shortening operation and not mark the after-market dipstick until I have it essentially assembled on the bench with the new cap fully threaded down and then I can mark my 50mm, 60mm and 70 mm dimensions. When I have open again, I'll verify that my pan is deep enough, but I sincerely doubt the plastic pans are different depths. I'll just have to be careful to remember to "loosen" the AN fittings prior to installation so I have some rotational forgiveness.....

Just so frustrating as cars with Automatic transmissions have had full length dipsticks for what like 70 years ?

Cost savings most likely prompted removal of the traditional dipstick design. And possibly there was an added incentive to remove it, as it generates more dealer profit because most customers will need the fluid to be checked by a mechanic with tools which few customers have.

 

[DougS550]

Cost savings most likely prompted removal of the traditional dipstick design. And possibly there was an added incentive to remove it, as it generates more dealer profit because most customers will need the fluid to be checked by a mechanic with tools which few customers have.

Manufactures have been removing intermediate service and repair task away from the Novice for years to force the Novice owners to go to a shop for these basic services.

 

[cjatrains]

Yeah, I also think there's another factor. I have done a fair amount of reading/research on the 10R80 problems

One issue I clearly remember is that the 10R80 has some serious issues if it's over-filled. Apparently besides sending fluid through the vent hole, the other result is the transmission will over heat and this could lead to further damage..... Articles didn't specify what the "further damage" could include.

My conclusion is that's why so many owners here on the forums report their transmissions are low on fluid by a Quart +/-. Makes sense in my mind, the cost and risk of overfilling far outweighs the ramifications of staying on the underfill side.

BTW I apologize to all who heard me say I added fluid till I got to the "5" marker, Had it upside down in my mind. Minimal fill line is 5, Max fill line is 4, and getting it just up to or slightly short of the 6 marker is the minimum before it's safe to drive.

What makes no sense is I am pretty sure the 10R80 owner's manuals say lifetime fill on the ATF, service interval is at 150,000 miles. So if 90% of owner's follow that recommendation, they won't be making a ton of revenue at fluid/filter changes, or flushes. I'd love to see the analysis that led them to believe 150,000 miles was a good number ?

 

[Cobra Jet]

@cjatrains (Chris) and I have been communicating about the different dipsticks, relative to critical dimensions for the two different styles Ford put in the 10R80 transmissions.

-Chris posted a pic with dimensions for the OEM dipstick he has on a 2022 Mach 1 which has numbers on it to identify acceptable/non-acceptable fluid levels. That was very helpful.​

-I took a pic of my 2019 10R80 OEM dipstick which uses letters to identify acceptable/non-acceptable fluid levels.​

When placing the different dipsticks side-by-side we can see evidence that Ford made a significant machining change between the two model versions. Of course Ford had to modify the plastic dipsticks accordingly.

You will see from the pic below that there are critical dimensions that remain the same regardless of the model year version. Those critical measurements are taken from the machined flange of the 19mm hex headed cap, which happens to be the sealing surface for the cap as well.

Comparing dimension notes with @cjatrains we realized that the critical dimension from the cap's sealing surface to the acceptable range is exactly the same. (Between 50mm and 60mm). Please excuse the photo distortions.

So...when replacing an OEM dipstick with a hose dipstick, you'll want to pay very close attention to the hose length and those critical dimensions. My hose dipstick off eBay was woefully short on that critical dimension. I had to shorten my aftermarket hose substantially, effectively lengthening the dipstick reach into the transmission reservoir.

Realizing there may be variations between aftermarket dipstick hose suppliers, a correct length to shorten a hose to cannot be given. So you'll want to identify from the assembly you receive, what is necessary to get the readings to correlate to A on the OEM dipstick, or to between #4 and #5 on your OEM dipstick, whichever your case is.

Word of caution. If/when you must cut the aftermarket hose, shorten it on the top end. Ask me how I know.

Wow… flashback…. I had posted this info back in 2020, with a PDF that shows the actual differences and dipstick coding measurements, because there are various 10R80 dipsticks. This post may also be helpful to the discussion:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...sible-to-remove-help-plz.141548/#post-2900858

Which was found from here, the main 10R80 FAQ thread:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...tions-to-harsh-or-no-shift-conditions.135463/

And from within that specific thread the whole original post was found under Fact 4:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/a10-fill-plug-impossible-to-remove-help-plz.141548/

 

[Snakebyte]

Update:
I finally got a chance to drive/check my remote transmission fluid dipstick, and I am very pleased. While I was pleased that the modified dipstick worked well, I was very pleased to learn (contrary to others' experiences) that my transmission fluid is at the Ford spec level. So, a LOT of peace of mind after the remote dipstick modification.

I do want to rescind a recommendation I previously made, because I learned that my fluid which is still really, really clean at 60,000 miles, created a difficulty to see on my dipstick.
I now recommend DO NOT file off all black coating from the "acceptable" range as I did (see pic below). Clean fluid is difficult to see against a silver background. What I recommend is to use a metal scribe tool to mark the upper limit and lower limit lines only of the "acceptable" range.

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