1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO oil level

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 783
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID RECOMMENDATIONS
Use only Dexron®II Automati
c Transmission Fluid.
LEVEL CHECK

Fig. 1: Read automatic transmission flui d level on dipstick and add, as required
Check the automatic transmission fluid le vel at each oil change. Driving with too
much or too little transmission fluid ca n damage the transmission. The dipstick
can be found in the rear of the engine compartment. The fluid level should be
checked only when the transmission is at normal operating temperature. If your
Camaro has been driven at highway speeds fo r a long time, in city traffic in hot
weather, or pulling a trailer, wait for about 30 minutes for the fluid to cool down
so a correct reading can be read.
1. Park the car on a level surface, with the parking brake on. Start the
engine and let it idle for about 15 minutes. Move the transmission
through all the gears and then back to P.
2. Remove the dipstick and carefully touch the wet end of the dipstick to see if the fluid is cool, warm, or ho t. Wipe it clean and then reinsert it
firmly. Be sure that it has been pushed all the way in. Remove the
dipstick again and check the fluid leve l while holding it horizontally.
a. If fluid is cool (room temper ature), the level should be about
1/8-3/8
in. (3-10mm) below the ADD mark.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 784
b. If fluid is warm, the le
vel should be close to the ADD mark, either
above or below.
c. If fluid is too hot to touc h, the level should be at the FULL mark.
3. If the fluid level is low, add Dexr on®II automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
through the dipstick tube. This is eas ily done with the aid of a funnel.
Check the level often as you are f illing the transmission. Be extremely
careful not to overfill it. Overfilling will cause slippage, seal damage and
overheating. Approximately 1 pint (0.473L) of ATF will raise the fluid level
from one notch/line to the other.
If the fluid on the dipstick appears discolored (brown or black), or smells burnt,
serious transmission troubles, probably due to overheating, should be
suspected. The transmission should be inspected by a qualified technician to
locate the cause of the burnt fluid.
DRAIN AND REFILL
Please refer to the "PAN AND FILTER SERVICE" procedure listed in this
section.
PAN AND FILTER SERVICE

Fig. 2: Typical automatic transmiss ion oil pan and oil filter assembly.

Fig. 3: Automatic transmission oil pan bolt and conical washer assembly

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 785
The automatic transmission fluid and fi
lter should be changed every 15,000
miles (24,000km) if your Camaro is driven in heavy city traffic in hot weather, in
hilly or mountainous terrain, frequent trailer pulling, or uses such as found in
taxi, police car or delivery service. If your Camaro is driven under other than
listed above conditions, change the fl uid and filter every 30,000 miles
(48,300km).
1. Raise and support the car on jackst ands. Place an oil catch pan under
the transmission.
2. Remove the oil pan bolts fr om the front and sides only.
3. Loosen rear oil pan bolts approximately 4 turns.
WARNING - Do not damage the transmission case or oil pan sealing surfaces.
4. Lightly tap the oil pan with a rubber mallet or gently pry it downward to
allow fluid to drain.
5. Remove the remaining oil pan bolt s, then remove the oil pan and pan
gasket.
6. Remove the filter and seal.
7. Clean the transmission case and oi l pan gasket surfaces with suitable
solvent and air dry. Make sure to re move all traces of the old gasket.
To install: 8. Coat the seal with a sm all amount of Transjel®.
9. Install the new s eal onto the filter.
10. Install the new filter into the case.
11. Install the oil pan and new gasket.
On 1991 and later vehicles, inspect t he oil pan screws and washer assemblies.
The screws must not be used if the coni cal washer is reversed. Failure to
replace the screw and washer assembly may result in improper fastening of
system components.
12. Install the oil pan bolts and tighten them to 12 ft. lbs. (16 Nm).
13. Lower the car.
14. Fill the transmission to proper level with Dexron®II fluid.
15. Check cold fluid level reading fo r initial fill. Do not overfill the
transmission.
16. Follow the fluid level che ck procedure described before.
17. Check the oil pan gasket for leaks.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 790
LEVEL CHECK

Fig. 1: Removing filler plug to check rear axle lubricant
The gear lubricant in the drive axle should be checked every 12 months or
15,000 miles (24,000km).
1. Raise the car and support on jackstands as close to level as possible. \
2. Remove the filler plug from the side of the drive axle housing.
3. If lubricant begins to trickle out of the hole, there is enough and you need
not go any further. Otherwise, carefully insert your finger (watch out for
sharp threads) and check to see if the lubricant is up to the edge of the
hole.
4. If not, add oil through the hole until the level is at the edge of the hole.
Most gear lubricants come in a pl astic squeeze bottle with a nozzle;
making additions simple.
5. Install and tighten the filler plug.
DRAIN AND REFILL
The rear axle should have the gear lubricant changed every 7,500 miles
(12,000km). If equipped with a limited slip differential, be sure to add 4 oz.
(118mL) of GM lim ited slip additive part No. 1052358.
1. Raise the car and support on jackst ands. Place a container under the
differential to catch the fluid.
2. Remove the bolts retaining the par king brake cable guides and position
aside.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 791
3. Clean all dirt from
the area around the cover. Re move the bolts retaining
the cover to the housing. Pry the co ver from the differential housing and
allow the fluid to drain into the catch pan.
To install: 4. With the cover and housing washed free of oil and gasket material, apply sealer to the mating surfaces.
5. Using a new gasket, install the cove r and torque the bolts to 20 ft. lbs.
(27 Nm) in a clockwise pattern to in sure uniform draw on the gasket. Fill
the differential with fluid through the fi ll plug and add limited slip additive,
as required.
6. Install the parking brake cable guides, if removed.
7. The fluid level shou ld reached a level within
3/8 in. (10mm) of the filler
plug hole. Replace the filler plug. Low er the car and inspect for leaks.
COOLING SYSTEM

CAUTION - When draining the c oolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are
attracted by the ethylene gl ycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that
is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove
fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drai n the coolant into a sealable container.
Coolant should be reused unless it is c ontaminated or several years old (in
which case it should be taken to a recycli ng facility such as a service station).
FLUID RECOMMENDATIONS
When adding or changing the fluid in the system, create a 50/50 mixture of high
quality ethylene glycol antifreeze and water.
LEVEL CHECK

Fig. 1: Fluid level marks on the cool ant recovery tank. With a warm system,
coolant level should be just below the FULL HOT mark on tank.