Transmission fluid fill level

Hello All,

I just installed a used transmission to replace my faulty one. I have a 4x4, automatic, 6 cylinder vehicle.

Filled torque converter, and added 6 quarts. Level read under cold fill line. Decided to drive it 20 minutes to warm up (guessing that there was still fluid contained in new, used tranny). Level read under cold fill.

I added two quarts and drove another 20 minutes. Level read just at cold level mark. Added two more quarts (if you are following - that’s 10 quarts total). Allowed vehicle to cool overnight and checked. Level was above hot fill mark.

Any advice? Did I not warm up enough? Thanks in advance for any insights…

 

Does this help?

in the file "preche", check on page DI-164 for the correct way to do the trans fluid check...

Pat☺

 

Thanks Pat! Appreciate the instructions. It was my understanding that you fill to the cold mark while cold, then drive or allow tranny to get to temperature and check hot level.

Today after removing about 1.5 quarts before leaving for work, I checked cold after work and the level was still about halfway between the cold and hot mark.

When I got home (tranny at temp) the level was just at the top cold mark.

It’s confusing

 

Sounds like it's about 0.5 qt low, but I may well be wrong. Is it a good drive between work and home? Could it be that it's just not far enough to get the fluid to it's truly "hot" temperature level?
You're checking with the engine idling, yes? And the brake depressed? You'll need an assistant to do it right. Wife, girlfriend, well trained kid, whatever, so they can hold the brake down while you do the dipstick operation...
Are you certain the vehicle is on a truly "level" surface? No elevation of one end, or side, over the other?

Just throwing thoughts out there. I get so few of them any more...
Pat☺

 

Thanks again Pat. I’ll employ said loved one to depress brake while I check. I think what I was doing wrong was checking the cold level while the car was off? That seemed to make a big difference!
I’m a big dummy! Appreciate your advice and time.