Transimission Overfill?

[cmoore74]

I had a leaking shaft seal on my transimission early on (covered under warranty) and just recently had the transmission serviced (fluid and filter) for 100k miles. Both of these services were done at the dealer. Both times it appears the transimission fluid is overfilled. Don't remember how much it appeared over the last time, but this time it appears the fluid is 1/4" - 3/8" above the fill line when hot.

 

I'm taking the reading with the transmission hot and idling in park on a level surface.

 

Could I be getting a false reading? Should I be concerned if it is that much higher on the dip-stick?

[bossier62guy]

The specific instructions are located in your owners manual. These are in regards to an 02 model. If you're not following them you may not be getting a correct reading. It's quite a ritual for sure.

 

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the

transmission fluid level if you have been driving:

_ When outside temperatures are above 90_F (32_C).

_ At high speed for quite a while.

_ In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.

_ While pulling a trailer.

To get the right reading, the fluid should be at

normal operating temperature, which is 180_F

to 200_F (82_C to 93_C).

Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles

(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50_F

(10_C). If it’s colder than 50_F (10_C), drive the

vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage

moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.

A cold fluid check can be made after the vehicle has

been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,

but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine run at

idle for five minutes if outside temperatures are 50_F

(10_C) or more. If it’s colder than 50_F (10_C), you

may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid

level be low during this cold check, you must check the

fluid hot before adding fluid. Checking the fluid hot will

give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level.

Prepare your vehicle as follows:

_ Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the

engine running.

_ With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever

in PARK (P).

_ With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift

lever through each gear range, pausing for about

three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift

lever in PARK (P).

_ Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:

The red transmission dipstick handle labeled

“TRANS/LOCK”, or labeled with the graphic shown,

is located at the rear of the engine compartment, on the

passenger’s side.

See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for

further information on location.

1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and

wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.

2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and

then pull it back out again.

Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower

level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area,

below the cross–hatched area, for a cold check or in

the HOT area, or cross–hatched area for a hot check.

4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the

dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle

down to lock the dipstick in place.

[Doug_Scott]

3/8 of an inch won't hurt it. You have to be more than that in order for the fluid to hit the rotating parts. If it does get that over full, the rotating parts will beat the oil to a froth, and you will likely see oil leaking out the vent. Make sure you are following the manual to a "t" when checking the level.

[cmoore74]

I follwed the procedure exactly and it's still about 1/4" of an inch over. Glad to hear that's not considered majorly overfilled. Guess that's what I was really looking for.

 

Thanks,

Chris