Slightly overfilled ATF, cause for concern?

[JTRunner]

Hey guys,

About a week ago I installed the BM 70628 cooler and a new Denso radiator, bypassing the internal tranny cooler altogether. Well, during the BM install, I leaked some ATF, and then when I finished and started the engine up, the cooler blew off one of the hoses (because I reused the stock transmission hose clamp, doh), which led to some more leaking ATF, which I wasn't able to measure the quantity of.

Fast forward to the present, I've added roughly 2.5 qts of DexIII, and measured the fluid level via the appropriate method: engine at Normal op. temp, cycling through all gears P-R-N-D-2-L a couple times, and measuring while idling and in Park.

Well it seems that my fluid level is maybe, 1/4" past the Hot FULL line. Should I be OK with this, or am I too overfilled and need to drain ATF from the pan? I've driven over 200 highway miles, and a couple hours rock crawling in 4Lo, with no weird shifting issues, but what do you guys think?

PS. Anyone know how many quarts it is from the Hot ADD line to the Hot FULL line?

Thanks fellas

 

[jgue467]

Probably ok, but i would simply open up one of the hoses on the cooler and let a little out. Not sure on amount between full hot, low hot, perhaps 1/2 quart? I'd rather have it a 1/4" low than 1/4" high...

 

[MosesByxbe]

Overfilling ATF Fluid/Underfilling | ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S | Bob Is The Oil Guy

As long as it isn't ridiculously overfilled, I think you're probably ok.

 

[JayRolla]

Like stated drain a little from the coolant line from radiator trans cooler.

 

[amalik]

Like stated drain a little from the coolant line from radiator trans cooler.

He bypassed, so a bit more of a pain. Probably has to take the grill off to access the B&M lines.

 

[amalik]

It's always a pain in the ass to get the tranny dipstick to be happy.

The biggest PITA -- if you are perfect on the cold marks, you will be above the hot marks after driving. You take some out to get below above the hot marks, and then find you are below cold. lol. There are constant e-debates on being underfilled vs overfilled. I'm no mechanic but, IMO either don't really matter as long as it's not a significant amount of ATF.

 

[JayRolla]

He bypassed, so a bit more of a pain. Probably has to take the grill off to access the B&M lines.

Once you have removed the grill once, its not hard at all.

 

[Majindan]

He bypassed, so a bit more of a pain. Probably has to take the grill off to access the B&M lines.

Um, why not just crawl under, pull the tranny bolt, and let some out? That's pretty damn easy. Also, I've also been told by mechanically inclined people, that the vehicle should be running, go through the gears a few times, then check with engine running.

 

[JTRunner]

Ok thanks for the feedback guys.

I'm going to let it stay a little overfilled and check for any bubbles/foam on the dipstick after a long drive. If I don't find any, I think I should be good. I knew that overfilling could cause aeration of the ATF, but it's difficult to know exactly how overfilled you'd have to be. This is my DD but I don't have a lead foot so I imagine I'm not really thrashing the tranny internals too much.

Since I bypassed, it will be a hot mess unplugging one of the lines from the BM cooler, so I think I'll just drain a bit from the pan if I have to. Also the consensus all over the web seems to be, better to be a bit underfilled than over. ::shrug::

 

[amalik]

Um, why not just crawl under, pull the tranny bolt, and let some out? That's pretty damn easy. Also, I've also been told by mechanically inclined people, that the vehicle should be running, go through the gears a few times, then check with engine running.

It's called gravity. Once you pull that tranny drain bolt, you are going to spill a lot more than a 'small amount' compared to removing a hose off the radiator or tranny cooler.

Either way, OP should know how to accomplish the task at hand

 

[Majindan]

It's called gravity. Once you pull that tranny drain bolt, you are going to spill a lot more than a 'small amount' compared to removing a hose off the radiator or tranny cooler.

Either way, OP should know how to accomplish the task at hand

Only if you pull the bolt all the way out, and even if you do, just put it right back in...not really that challenging, just saying. I'd much rather remove the bolt than fooling with a hose/clamp.

 

[amalik]

Only if you pull the bolt all the way out, and even if you do, just put it right back in...not really that challenging, just saying. I'd much rather remove the bolt than fooling with a hose/clamp.

I agree. If you bypass, the bolt is way easier. If you don't bypass, the coolant line is as easy as the bolt imo.

 

[Buckaroo]

OP you are spot on - watching the dip stick for bubbles indicating aeration is the right thing to do. Determining ATF level from that dipstick is not an exact science. Typically, the difference between the high and low level marks is half a quart so a quarter inch above the high level is likely not significant.

Buckaroo

 

[JTRunner]

Ok so after I realized that the tranny pan isn't covered by the skid plates, I decided what the hell, let's drain it. Took the drain plug off and 10 seconds and a hot mess later, I collected probably almost a quart (had to be quick about it, live in an Apt. complex where they don't let you work on your car).

Drove it around, took a reading, and now was 1/4" below the Hot ADD line. Added .25qt at a time, remeasured, and ended up about halfway between ADD and FULL. The OCD side of me wants so badly to get it perfectly at FULL, but I think it's best to leave well enough alone, don't you think?

 

[yotallycrazy]

Ok so after I realized that the tranny pan isn't covered by the skid plates, I decided what the hell, let's drain it. Took the drain plug off and 10 seconds and a hot mess later, I collected probably almost a quart (had to be quick about it, live in an Apt. complex where they don't let you work on your car).

Drove it around, took a reading, and now was 1/4" below the Hot ADD line. Added .25qt at a time, remeasured, and ended up about halfway between ADD and FULL. The OCD side of me wants so badly to get it perfectly at FULL, but I think it's best to leave well enough alone, don't you think?

I think thats fine. I try to stay halfway between the dots if not 3/4 to full.