trans fluid level....again

[3bears]

2000 v6 4wd auto
so weeks ago I installed a oil cooler and did a trans flush and bypassed the radiator and thought I had the correct amount of fluid in it afterward
been driving it for a few weeks, and checked it this morning, it was high ( when hot) over the full marks

according to the books, including the Toyota FSM it should take 2 quarts on a drain and fill

so I did a drain and fill. put in two quarts, drove it , got it good and hot, came back and it barely hit the low end of the cold mark
added another 1/2 quart, let it heat up, and its still low.
went for a drive,came back, still low about half way between the top cold mark and the bottom hot mark

I have read lots of posts. some people say they just do a drain and fill and add 4 quarts
but the books say 2
I called the dealer, not much help, he says 2 or until its full and could not really say about aftermarket coolers

so when you do a drain and fill, does the trans cooler drain too, thus the extra lines and the capacity of the cooler then require more

plus my dipstick is all bent up, have a new one coming, maybe that's adding to the level marks confusion

thanks

 

[MStudt]

Definitely more than 2 quarts. I just did a transmission sway and easily added 4 quarts. This was after filling the torque converter. Are you checking this on level ground? Even the slightest angle will make a large difference.

 

[3bears]

the most level spot I can find at my sons house, his concrete basketball court
everything else is gravel with a slope and wont fit in his garage, too full of "stuff"

 

[MStudt]

the most level spot I can find at my sons house, his concrete basketball court
everything else is gravel with a slope and wont fit in his garage, too full of "stuff"

Get it as level as you can. Just for an example that'll show the difference. Yesterday I checked mine in a gravel driveway with about a 5 degree slope, and I was a good inch above the hot mark. I pulled it into my yard which has about a 1 degree slope, and it was spot on.

 

[Jhelms]

I did a cold drain and fill this weekend and it was closer to 5qt.

 

[3bears]

yep, IM at 4 + now.

 

[3bears]

Get it as level as you can. Just for an example that'll show the difference. Yesterday I checked mine in a gravel driveway with about a 5 degree slope, and I was a good inch above the hot mark. I pulled it into my yard which has about a 1 degree slope, and it was spot on.

I feel stupid....that might....kind of ...be it

so I am waiting to do my springs and shocks, next weekend, ( waiting on parts) but a few weeks ago before a big camping trip I threw in a set of 1.5 inch lift blocks in the back to compensate for sagging springs. Now the truck sits with a slight lift in back , with a rake down toward the front
wonder if that was enough to "fool" my dipstick and me as I have not checked the tranny fluid in weeks, and at one point it was right on.
If I was having problems I would be loosing fluid, not gaining fluid ( my radiator is bypassed so no pink milk shake adding fluid)


dohhh



if we know that 4 qts is the normal, maybe that should be added to the maintaince lists, as it refers you to the FSM which says 2 qts

 

[StreetCreeper]

the most level spot I can find at my sons house, his concrete basketball court
everything else is gravel with a slope and wont fit in his garage, too full of "stuff"

How level is that? Grab a level and set it on the sill plate of the door (or therabouts) and see just how level it really is. Adjust as necessary.

I agree with about 4 quarts as that is about what mine was as well for a drain and fill.

Once you establish that your transmission is filled to the proper level, measure out the fluid removed durning any subsequent drain & fills with a dollar store measuring cup. Then simply add back the same amount of new fluid that was removed.

The dipsticks are notoriously fussy and I don't put much stock in the readings. I use mine primarily to just check the oil condition.

 

[nissanh]

I did drain and fill about 2 weeks ago. Had it above max on hot when the fluid is cold! I drained 5 quarts. Used only 4 quarts to get to the middle of the cold mark when the fluid is cold.