Tranny Only Takes 2 Quarts Before Overflow??

[QwikKotaTx]

I drained the pan on my 2010 and about 4 quarts came out as measured. I re-installed the drain plug with a new crush washer and torque wrench. Went to fill from the tail shaft housing fill hole and barely 2 quarts go in before the overflow position starts to pour out. When I removed the overflow plug a small amount did come out but nowhere near 2 quarts. I am only haflway. What am I doing wrong?

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Does the engine need to be running to open the overflow plug? We call this truck "Lurch" so I don't know if it's safe to cycle the shift lever while the front is on jack stands. Rears are on the ground.

 

[wfo9]

If you cannot fill the listed amount of fluid, perform the following:

(1) Start the engine and idle it.

NOTICE:
Check that electrical systems such as the air conditioning system, audio system and lighting system are off.

(2) Move the shift lever through the entire gear range to circulate the fluid.

(3) Wait for 30 seconds with the engine idling.

(4) Stop the engine.

(5) Remove the refill plug.

(6) Fill the transmission with the remaining fluid until the amount in the table has been filled.

(7) Install the refill plug.

3. FLUID TEMPERATURE CHECK
NOTICE:
The ATF temperature can be confirmed by using the Techstream.

(a) Turn the ignition switch off.

(b) Connect the Techstream to the DLC3.

(c) Turn the ignition switch to ON.

(d) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / ECT / Data List / A/T Oil Temperature 1.

(e) Check the ATF temperature.

NOTICE:
If the ATF temperature is higher than 45°C (113°F), turn the ignition switch off and wait until the fluid temperature drops to below 40°C (104°F).

 

[QwikKotaTx]

I let it warm up for about 15 minutes then cycled it through the gears. I opened the overflow plug with it in park and idling and fluid came out very fast so I quickly put the plug back in. I did not put any more back in then originally came out so I am confused as to why so much fluid is overflowing.

 

[wfo9]

Full Procedure here.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ssion-fluid-change-procedure.html#post2997120

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Full Procedure here.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ssion-fluid-change-procedure.html#post2997120

Thank you. The part about the 1.8 qts after overflow drips was helpful. I believe I put 2 quarts in after I put the overflow plug back in after some poured out to check.

Does anyone know how sensitive the tranny is when it comes to a difference in ounces in comparison to the correct amount of fluid? I drove it around town shortly and got up to 5th gear with some mid-throttle downshifts and no problems so far.

 

[wfo9]

Thank you. The part about the 1.8 qts after overflow drips was helpful. I believe I put 2 quarts in after I put the overflow plug back in after some poured out to check.

Does anyone know how sensitive the tranny is when it comes to a difference in ounces in comparison to the correct amount of fluid? I drove it around town shortly and got up to 5th gear with some mid-throttle downshifts and no problems so far.

It is very sensitive to having the proper fluid level. Do the level check procedure as outlined in the link above.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

It is very sensitive to having the proper fluid level. Do the level check procedure as outlined in the link above.

If I do that, nearly 2 quarts will pour out. I will do another pan drain in about 20k miles unless it starts acting up or causing erratic shifts. My question was more along the lines of is the tranny so sensitive that a tenth of an ounce would cause an issue. My assumption is, no.

 

[wfo9]

If I do that, nearly 2 quarts will pour out. I will do another pan drain in about 20k miles unless it starts acting up or causing erratic shifts. My question was more along the lines of is the tranny so sensitive that a tenth of an ounce would cause an issue. My assumption is, no.

You must not be understanding the check procedure.. Just open the overflow once it is up to temp (after driving a short distance or jus moving the shifter through all the gears) and let it drain until it drips (with the motor still running). It should just be a small amount. If nothing comes out.. you need to add a little and try again.

If 2 quarts pour out.. you have big problems with your trans. It won't survive like that. They are very sensitive to having the correct level and it is stupid easy to get it pefect. Just make sure the fluid temp is correct (104-113*) and the motor is running and on a level surface. Gravity will do the rest.

Better yet, just follow the procedure in the FSM link exactly to put the ECU in the proper check mode. I'm not sure if that does anything.. But it is what I will do to be 100% sure.

A few ounces won't make a difference though. 2 quarts overfilled will blow the trans.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

You must not be understanding the check procedure.. Just open the overflow once it is up to temp (after driving a short distance or jus moving the shifter through all the gears) and let it drain until it drips (with the motor still running). It should just be a small amount. If nothing comes out.. you need to add a little and try again.

If 2 quarts pour out.. you have big problems with your trans. It won't survive like that. They are very sensitive to having the correct level and it is stupid easy to get it pefect. Just make sure the fluid temp is correct (104-113*) and the motor is running and on a level surface. Gravity will do the rest.

Better yet, just follow the procedure in the FSM link exactly to put the ECU in the proper check mode. I'm not sure if that does anything.. But it is what I will do to be 100% sure.

A few ounces won't make a difference though. 2 quarts overfilled will blow the trans.

I let the truck get warm and when I opened the overflow plug a good bit of velocity was present so I quickly put the plug back in. This makes no sense as 4 quarts came out and I put 4 quarts back in. Why would warming it up make any difference? I cycled the shift lever from park to drive a few times. I know fluid can expand slightly when warmed up and checking the level when cold can yield false results. Warming up the tranny is not going to make a 2 quart difference. I assume the procedure is there to circulate fluid to places it goes back to when at rest, the pan. If I put back exactly how much came out when cold, I do not see how I could be doing anything wrong. 4 in, 4 out. No need to check temp.

 

[Rmack]

I let the truck get warm and when I opened the overflow plug a good bit of velocity was present so I quickly put the plug back in. This makes no sense as 4 quarts came out and I put 4 quarts back in. Why would warming it up make any difference? I cycled the shift lever from park to drive a few times. I know fluid can expand slightly when warmed up and checking the level when cold can yield false results. Warming up the tranny is not going to make a 2 quart difference. I assume the procedure is there to circulate fluid to places it goes back to when at rest, the pan. If I put back exactly how much came out when cold, I do not see how I could be doing anything wrong. 4 in, 4 out. No need to check temp.

wfo9 is correct. The transmission must be between the temperatures listed for an accurate reading. A couple of things; How do you know it was not over serviced to start with? The temp is not going to make the fluid expand that much, but the entire procedure is very detailed as in running through gears etc.

I purchased the scangauge just for this procedure as I plan to do it for several tranny fluid changes. You can do it they way you are attempting to only AFTER you have ensured a proper fluid level to begin with.

Hope this helps man. I know this tranny is the most frustrating one I have ever changed the fluid on.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

wfo9 is correct. The transmission must be between the temperatures listed for an accurate reading. A couple of things; How do you know it was not over serviced to start with? The temp is not going to make the fluid expand that much, but the entire procedure is very detailed as in running through gears etc.

I purchased the scangauge just for this procedure as I plan to do it for several tranny fluid changes. You can do it they way you are attempting to only AFTER you have ensured a proper fluid level to begin with.

Hope this helps man. I know this tranny is the most frustrating one I have ever changed the fluid on.

Perhaps it was not warm enough but that should only make a slight difference unless there is some sort of thermostat that only opens up at a certain temp like in the cooling system. Can you not use a bluetooth OBD port reader and smart phone app for the temp?

When I did the initial fill, 2 quarts went in before coming out of the overflow. After re-installing the overflow plug I added about 2 quarts. Some came out when I checked the overflow. The manual says to add 1.8 quarts after filling when cold, so I think it's fine. The tranny has never been serviced and we bought it new. The level has to be correct from the factory. Never had any issues. Running fine so far but has only been ~25 miles around town.