accidental tranny pan drain...

[4runG3]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. I have been reading all of your posts and learning a lot about my car!

So this weekend I decided to change oil myself....and long behold, I accidentally drained out the transmission fluid from the tranny pan...

I had a friend drove me to the dealership and bought some transmission fluid. I put back 2.1 qt through the dipstick like the dealer told me. But I think I drained out a lot more than 2.1 qt.

Anybody have any idea about how much I should put back in? I read in the forum that many suggested 4 qts for 4th gen?

I did drive around the block after putting back oil and transmission fluid and the car seems fine...no warning lights...

I have a 2002 4runner with only 35000 miles on it.

Thanks!

 

[ebelen1]

Check the dipstick and fill to the fill line. Make sure to not overfill as this will cause issues w/ the tranny.

 

[4runG3]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I ran my engine idle for about 10 minutes then with my brakes on shifted from P to L then back to P. When I checked the fluid level, the level is only about an inch up the dip stick...I think the COOL level is about 2-3 inches up and HOT is 4-5 inches up from the end of the dip stick...I assume that's too low?

Which level should I be looking at? COOL or HOT?
If the level is too low, will there be problems?

Thanks!

 

[ebelen1]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I ran my engine idle for about 10 minutes then with my brakes on shifted from P to L then back to P. When I checked the fluid level, the level is only about an inch up the dip stick...I think the COOL level is about 2-3 inches up and HOT is 4-5 inches up from the end of the dip stick...I assume that's too low?

Which level should I be looking at? COOL or HOT?
If the level is too low, will there be problems?

Thanks!

So you've cycled through the gears at lower temp, good. Now get your fluid level to the appropriate reading on the stick.

You should also check when it's hot. Make sure you don't overfill.

 

[GSGALLANT]

By simply draining the tranny pan on your 2002, if you let it drain until it stopped coming out, you'll have drained approx 3.5 to 4 quarts. I did a flush a few months ago, and that's what came out of mine.

When you're refilling it, the cold marks are only to be used as a reference. The actual measurement must be done using the hot marks.

When you're refilling it, put in the amount you've drained (in this case, about 3.5 quarts). Then, start the truck, and slowly cycle the transmission through all the gears from P to L and back to P with your foot on the brakes like you did. Leave it in Park, and leave the truck running to check the level on the dipstick. You should be between the low and high marks in the cold section. That will get you in the ballpark.

Now, take your truck out for a good 10-15 minute drive to get everything warmed up (don't just let it idle). Now, your tranny fluid is considered hot (if you've just come off the highway from a long, highspeed trip, let your truck sit about 20 minutes before checking the tranny fluid level) Now, with the truck running, slowly cycle the transmission through all the gears from P to L and back to P with your foot on the brakes. Leave it in Park, and leave the truck running to check the level on the dipstick. You should be between the low and high marks in the hot section.

Add/remove fluid as required to get you there.

 

[TRD04RUNNER]

lol did the same thing on my 04 SE when I did my first oil change. but Lucky when I went to unbolt the bolt I saw RED fluid started to drip out so I quickly tighten it back up. so I make lost 4 to 5 drip of ATF fluid.

 

[4runG3]

Hi All,

Thanks for all of your replies!

Yeh...I didn't notice that the liquid coming out was pink until I started wiping clean the drain plug...haha! I was wondering where the black gasket went and why there was an extra washer...did not expect them to make transmission drain more easily accessible than the oil drain! and that darn filter!

anyway, I filled up my fluid level to about 3 and 1/3 qt. The level is right at COOL when engine was idling. I had to wait until night to drive around for a good 20 miles (it is hard in LA to drive around without hitting major traffic during the day). I drove a good 15 miles on freeway and about 5 on local streets. When I came back and opened the hood, I actually didn't think my engine got that hot. Checked the stick again, the fluid level was still at COOL! It has been cooler at night in LA lately, not sure if that affects anything.

So I'm assuming that's ok...as long as the level is at COOL and still has room to go up to HOT...What do you guys think?

Never again shall I mess with my transmission fluid...I was paranoid for the whole weekend.

 

[GSGALLANT]

Originally posted by 4runG3
...I drove a good 15 miles on freeway and about 5 on local streets. When I came back and opened the hood, I actually didn't think my engine got that hot. Checked the stick again, the fluid level was still at COOL! It has been cooler at night in LA lately, not sure if that affects anything.

So I'm assuming that's ok...as long as the level is at COOL and still has room to go up to HOT...What do you guys think?

Not necessarily... If you're engine/tranny was actually still cold when you measured it, that's fine, but I doubt that was the case after 15 freeway miles and 5 city miles. That much driving should have raised your fluid temperature to the hot range. After driving around for awhile, put your hand on the tranny pan, you'll know when it's hot.

And when the fluid is hot, then it should be in the hot range on the dipstick.

And no need to be paranoid. The tranny fluid thing is pretty simple as long as you check it properly. Like I mentioned before, get it in the cold range when you first fill it up, then you're safe. From then, it's just a matter of checking it when it's hot, and adjusting as necessary.

Good luck.

 

[4runG3]

not quite there yet

ahhh....i have been checking the fluid level daily now...i just can't seem to get the fluid level up to HOT. right now, about 3 and 2/3 qt is in there...after 20 minute street drive, the level is at the top of COOL, still an inch away from the lower notch of HOT. The level just doesn't seem to change before and after the drive.

still under observation. don't want to overfill...slowly getting there i suppose...

will report back.