Fairly new in the Disco world. Bought a 2003 with 78k and upgraded/rebuilt engine. Running great. But every once in a while, threw a P0734 with the check engine light.
It went away after a little while, but the last time I decided to investigate. Reading up, it seemed like to start with the easiest fix-- low transmission fluid. So, I went to check the dipstick.
OK, found a marvel of engineering, just fill till it leaks out of the hole-- no dipstick. Saw YouTube video, and got it all set up, with a pan under it to catch the drips when I fill it. I removed the fill plug, and trans fluid came pouring out!
By the time it slowed to a trickle, just shy of two quarts had come into my pan on level ground. How the hell did that happen??? I saw something about a pump to get fluid into the trans, but does it have a seal to prevent it from leaking out?
I suspect it happened at the engine rebuild shop, and only 3,000 miles max since then. Ideas? thoughts? I'm thinking to do a filter and fluid change now as it was somewhat dark when I poured it into my empty clear bottles.
Thanks!

 

The transmission fluid level is to be checked with the engine running. I'll presume you removed the fill plug with the engine not running.

 

And don't forget to cycle through all the gears after you start it and before you climb under it

 

OK, on the videos, it shows testing fluid level with the car sitting, engine off. For a complete fluid change, it requires it running.
I'll be doing a filter/fluid replacement, so I'll follow those steps. I just want to be totally sure that when I'm done, that the car should be idling when the fluid level is checked?
That didn't show up on some of the youtube videos I watched. Thanks.

PS OK, two of the pan bolts broke off at the head. Techniques to get the studs out?

 

Keep going until you get all the bolts off, do whatever it takes to get the pan down and then extract the broken stubs with vice grips.

As far as checking fluid level, the engine has to be running and you need to move the gear selector through all the gears before pulling out the plug. Asbestos gloves that cover the forearm aren't a bad idea either.

 

Yes the engine needs to be idling when checking the transmission fluid level.