Cutting access door inside car to check auto trans fluid.

[Dean_Fuller]

Has anyone done this? Its such a pain to check automatic transmission fluid level now. If you don't have a lift its just about impossible. I was thinking about cutting a access door so fluid could be checked from inside the car. The door would have to have a nice seal so as not to allow exhaust fumes from getting in. Is there any obstructions I may not know about? The fuel tank is behind...fuel lines are located low. A local member mentioned this to me awhile back and it sounds like a good idea.

Thoughts???

[Danglerb]

Cheap video camera.

I want to put something together like a better version of a See Snake, except cheaper etc. Kind of a video camera on a stick for snooping into and under stuff. None of the reverse image stuff to confuse my aging brain, easy to include some kind of light, maybe a pickup or magnet tool.

[devilinblack]

For under $200 the SeeSnake seems like a pretty good investment. I've been toying with the idea of picking one up myself.

[Dean_Fuller]

Cool...I can see all kinds of uses for this thing. Where are they available?

[devilinblack]

http://www.amazon.com/Ridgid-25643-SeeSnake-Inspection-Camera/dp/B000WTKC3O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1224784299&sr=8-3

There's a few companies making them with slight variations in features.

[psychII]

I picked up a cheap mirror from Wal-Mart. When I need to check the fluid: run the car until tranny fluid is warm, pull into garage and put in neutral with engine running, chock the tires, slid my shop light under the car and reach under with the mirror until I can see the reservoir. If it needs fluid, shut the car down and jack the rear, add some fluid and check again.

piece of cake and not expensive.