I checked the transmission fluid after changing the filter and topping it off (apparently too much). It's now 1/8" over the "full cold" mark. Do I need to drain some out? What's the doomsday theories of just running it? I'm guessing worst case would be that the tranny will barf fluid out the dipstick someday when I work the crap out of it?
If i do need to drain some out, is it best just to loosen the filter again and let it bleed a little?

The "full cold" isn't as important as the "full hot" mark. With the little bit you are over, run it up to normal temp. and check it. Then you can pull the filter off to dump out small quantities to adjust it to the correct level. Running it over full on the hot mark will cause damage if done very long, but if you adjust the level just as soon as you get it hot you will get a more accurate level and you should be fine.

I would remove the red spin on filter and pour it out, then add more if needed.

The "full cold" isn't as important as the "full hot" mark. With the little bit you are over, run it up to normal temp. and check it. Then you can pull the filter off to dump out small quantities to adjust it to the correct level. Running it over full on the hot mark will cause damage if done very long, but if you adjust the level just as soon as you get it hot you will get a more accurate level and you should be fine.

X2

The "COLD" band is off. Its about 3/8" too wide, and shifted down 1/8" or so from where it needs to be.

Drive it and warm it up to 175 F. Level should be in the middle of the lower hashed region of the HOT band. You're probably about right.

X2

The "COLD" band is off. Its about 3/8" too wide, and shifted down 1/8" or so from where it needs to be.

Drive it and warm it up to 175 F. Level should be in the middle of the lower hashed region of the HOT band. You're probably about right.


My level is at the very top of the hash mark right where it saids full, should be alright?

Well thanks for the help. I warmed it up to 150 degrees and it's about 3/4 up the hot cross-hatch. I couldnt' get it any warmer than that by just driving it. Might have to pull a trailer and check it if you think it's possibly overfilled.

Well thanks for the help. I warmed it up to 150 degrees and it's about 3/4 up the hot cross-hatch. I couldnt' get it any warmer than that by just driving it. Might have to pull a trailer and check it if you think it's possibly overfilled.

You should take some out. At trans temp 150F, it should be at the very bottom of the HOT band.

Think of the fluid HOT band as a temp scale, because the fluid expands with temperature. The bottom of the band is at the low end of the temp scale, 160F while the top of the band at the high end temp 200F.

You can warm it further by stalling it in D with your foot on the brake. Go 30-45 sec at 1000-1100 RPM. Shift to Park/N and flush at 2000 RPM. Repeat. NOTE: there's a lag in the thermistor reading. Stop about 5 - 10 deg below where you want to be.

Is it better to be on the low side to be safe?

I would love to hear from the experts again. I was planning on changing the fluid in the rear end and the transfer case so I had a AMSOIL pump kit on the shelf. I used it to pump over a quart out of the tranny and at 130ish degrees it was halfway between the full cold and the low hot marks.

Moved to Maintenance & Fluids...

I have changed out the puny filter 3 times - it don't hold much - fluid still within the marks when hot - never added a drop in 25K.

;)

Crafty — while I appreciate that the real test of fluid level is in the hot zone on the stick at a given temperature, where would you recommend a person begin (given the current dip stick design) with a cold reading — say, at 70 degrees ambient air — so as to likely hit the correct reading when 175?.