Automatic trans fluid, how much is too much?

[WallyWest]

*update*

So I just drove around a little bit today, not very far, checked it again and it still is measuring high.

I read that there is an overflow plug on the transmission, and to set the fluid level correctly you get it warmed up, engine idling, and pull the overflow plug. If fluid comes out just let it drain until it's just a dribble, then put the plug back in. Bam, fluid level will be correct.

Is that true? And if so does anyone have a good picture or diagram of where the overflow plug is? I really don't want to pull the wrong one with the engine running.

*/update*



2002 sport edition, bought it recently so I'm going over everything. Checked the trans fluid today. Dealer I bought it from said there was a leak in it, so they had replaced the pan and refilled. Fluid looks ok, it shifts fine, but the reading was a bit high.

This was after a 50 mile drive, warm-ish day. I parked, ran the shifter through all the positions. Engine running, and the level was about an inch above the top of the hot range. I know too much fluid can be as bad as not enough, so is that too much?

 

[Aelfwine]

I was wondering that as well. I checked my fluid a few days ago and got the same level as the OP. How bad is that?

 

[slides]

It should spit it out if there is too much in there

 

[kball]

2002 sport edition, bought it recently so I'm going over everything. Checked the trans fluid today. Dealer I bought it from said there was a leak in it, so they had replaced the pan and refilled. Fluid looks ok, it shifts fine, but the reading was a bit high.

This was after a 50 mile drive, warm-ish day. I parked, ran the shifter through all the positions. Engine running, and the level was about an inch above the top of the hot range. I know too much fluid can be as bad as not enough, so is that too much?

Did you pull the stick all the way out and wipe it off and then reinsert it? If so and it's an inch over you may want to drain a little and get it between the hot and cold marks.

 

[WallyWest]

Did you pull the stick all the way out and wipe it off and then reinsert it? If so and it's an inch over you may want to drain a little and get it between the hot and cold marks.

Yes, I pulled it, wiped it off, and reinserted.

I plan on removing the drain plug, draining whatever I get that way, and then pouring all but a few quarts of that back in through the dipstick tube. See where I'm at.

 

[kball]

I wouldn't drain the pan all the way unless you want to put new fluid in. I would just drain a quart or so. Probably all it will take.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I hate the dipstick. I just drain hot and add 4qts.

 

[WallyWest]

Bump, for update in OP.

 

[kball]

I think newer Toyotas with auto trans that don't have dipsticks use overflow plugs. As far as I know none of the third gen's have that.

 

[WallyWest]

Oh ok, I suppose I could have been reading about a newer model.

Mine definitely has a dipstick, and I believe a drain plug on the transmission pan. So basically you can drain some through the plug, stick it back in when you feel you've got enough, and to fill you just use a funnel into the dipstick tube?

 

[kball]

yep, you got it.

 

[3bears]

I hate the dipstick. I just drain hot and add 4qts.

curious why you hate the dipstick ? Unless its one like my new to me 4runner. Its a total pain to put back in, its all twisted, and I don't know how correct it is. Tomorrow Im installing a B&M cooler and was gonna flush the tranny and drop the pan and put a new filter in too, Sure would be nice to know what my true level is.

 

[WallyWest]

curious why you hate the dipstick ? Unless its one like my new to me 4runner. Its a total pain to put back in, its all twisted, and I don't know how correct it is. Tomorrow Im installing a B&M cooler and was gonna flush the tranny and drop the pan and put a new filter in too, Sure would be nice to know what my true level is.

I wondered about that too. As far as I can tell the two bends in the dipstick are there to help wiggle it past the bends in the tube. If you push it in until you get resistance, then while keeping some pressure on it twist it, it should move past the bend without too much trouble. If you just try to jam it in straight it will fight you the whole way. I think that's how some people get theirs all bent out of shape. If you twist it the right way it really doesn't take excessive pressure to get it in.

I'm trusting that the reading is accurate. For anyone who has this same issue the fluid level on mine was about an inch above the highest mark on the dipstick. I drained out just a little bit of fluid, I don't even think it was a full quart. Maybe 3/4 quart, more or less. That was pulling the drain plug and letting it go for about 5 seconds or so, I just held a small bucket up to it, it doesn't drain super fast or anything. Then just put the plug back in (while getting trans fluid all over my arm, lol). After driving it to work today I checked the level and it was in between the "hot" marks, right where it should be. So it doesn't seem to take much fluid one way or the other to change the level on the dipstick a good bit. Which might mean that it's no big deal to run a little above the marks, I don't know. My OCD wants it to be perfect though, hehe.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

curious why you hate the dipstick ? Unless its one like my new to me 4runner. Its a total pain to put back in, its all twisted, and I don't know how correct it is. Tomorrow Im installing a B&M cooler and was gonna flush the tranny and drop the pan and put a new filter in too, Sure would be nice to know what my true level is.

Something I have to screw in a circle to put in to me leave a lot or time to rub the sides of the tube and give readings I do not trust. The 4qt thing hasn't let me down yet.

 

[Thallihan]

I hate the dipstick. I just drain hot and add 4qts.

I just drained my pan and refilled it with 2 quarts and it drives fine. I read online that the v6 4wd pan drain/refill recommendation is no more than 2.1 liters.

Just wondering if you really put 4 quarts in there and if I'm missing something about your vehicle that's different from mine.


Edit: just read that this is a well known typo for 2 liters? if so, **** my life.

 

[StreetCreeper]

I just drained my pan and refilled it with 2 quarts and it drives fine. I read online that the v6 4wd pan drain/refill recommendation is no more than 2.1 liters.

Just wondering if you really put 4 quarts in there and if I'm missing something about your vehicle that's different from mine.

Around 4 quarts is about what I did too. I measured (with a measuring cup) exactly what came out and then replaced it with the exact same amount of fresh fluid. As far as I know, 4 quarts is the going rate for a drain and fill.

(1997 limited 4x4 3.4)

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Around 4 quarts is about what I did too. I measured (with a measuring cup) exactly what came out and then replaced it with the exact same amount of fresh fluid. As far as I know, 4 quarts is the going rate for a drain and fill.

(1997 limited 4x4 3.4)

+100 I drained mine knowing it was untouched except for the dealer and it was 4qt or a hair less when I poured it into a empty T6 gallon jug.

Our pan holds a extra 2quarts over the shallow pan in the jeeps. We got the deep sump they wish they had. By the way.......