88 Buick LeSabre Custom - where is transmission fluid tank & where is power steering...

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foxiev

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...fill? Please don't send me nasty or incorrect answers. I'm trying to help learning impaired friend (limited in some ways) He works nights, commutes 60 miles nightly & his brother also is limited (I adopted them yrs. ago).

I've ruled out oil, brake, antifreeze/coolant, windshield fluid tanks, 1 tank left unmarked. I checked each 3x, cleaned with paper towels, compared smells etc. The transmission won't reverse, the car almost rolled into high traffic street, I turned wheels & got it in drive but it didn't go forward as it should but enough so to get it back on driveway.

Yes, the fluids were low! I replenished these properly. The 1 tank left is equidistant from trans. fluid stick and power steering pump. Because trans fluid is red and the dipstick from unmarked tank was low with brown/ black residue left on it, I can't tell if someone put oil in it by mistake. I don't want to assume it's the transmission fluid tank not knowing if remaining transm fluid could have turned brown/black similar to dirty oil needing a change. We don't have a schematic nor could I find one searching internet. The 3 of us have noone to ask (no family, friends, neighbors) and we're surviving on very low income (not by choice).

I don't know if there is a reserve tank for power sterring fluid and if not, then the tank left must be for the transmisson fluid since the transmission is not working correctly? We've been ripped off in past so I don't want to automatically have it towed by AAA to unknown mechanic.

I think I saw 3800 on engine, it's 6 cyl , 4 dr sedanThank you very much for any help you can provide.

(Please don't lecture me either, I've survived hell & back countless times.) Thank you kindly.
 
The fluids that have reservoirs,Are the anti-freeze(colored green or orange)and windshield wiper fluid,(colored blue),The other fluids are contained,like the brake fluid (clear)in the master cylinder,the oil,(a maple brown syrup color),and the transmission fluid,(red colored),,Also the steering fluid,(clear) I think the steering pump is behind,and just below the alternator.you will need a long funnel to fill it..Yes when transmission fluid turns a brown color you need it changed.There is no drain plug on the transmission,you need to take the pan off,you will need a new gasket and transmission filter.Along with new transmission fluid,you fill the transmission up thru the transmission dip stick.You said the transmission wouldn't shift,It may have been just the fluid being low but, If it continues,you will need the transmission rebuilt or replaced.
 
HI
Usually the power steering is checked and filled right at the pump where the pulleys are at. There should be a cap on the top with a rod on it with marks on it. add to full line it don't take much. But it doesn't have anything to do with the transmission..
The Transmission dip stick should be at the back of the motor with a long tube going to the bottom of the transmission (the transmission pan is under the transmission). If it is old and burnt fluid it could look dark brown and smell like varnish. If it was left low for two long it well burn the transmission out. You can try adding to it the add mark is usually 1 pt, the fluid is sold in Qts ..
With the motor running and warmed up and the transmission in park you check the transmission ( with the motor running). If its not even on the stick or right at the bottom I'd start with a full qt. Don't over fill it ether.
good luck
tim
 
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