[My2cents]

I have started this process and have a question. I removed pan and filter. Ran out of daylight and so I let truck sit overnight with bucket underneath transmission. I wasn't able to continue on it the following day. The next time I began working on it was 2 days later. Truck has been in garage and I didn't think there would be any issues if it sat for a day or two. When I pulled drain bucket from underneath I had 8 quarts of old fluid in bucket. Probably 8.5 due to a tad spilling when I pulled it out. I was confused because I've been reading that 4 to 4.5 is to be expected. Any idea how this would happen? Thanks for any ideas and what is the best procedure going forward? Have a good day

 

[Chappy R]

Sounds like fluid drained out of torque converter. Can't give you a technical reason but I would button it all up and be prepared to add an equal amount of fluid as was drained. First I would add about 6 qts, start up, shift through all gears and shut it down. This should get fluid back into the torque converter. Check fluid level(engine running in Park) just to make sure it is down far enough to add the additional fluid as planned. Start, shift through the gears a few times, leave it running in Park and check the level again. Top off as needed.... Chap

 

[Farnsrocket]

I'd put at least 8 back in then shift through the gears and check the level and adjust as needed.

 

[Chappy R]

Your original post does not say what year your vehicle is. I hope it is old enough to have a dip stick/fill tube in the engine compartment. Newer ones have the fill hole on the side of the transmission itself. What a great idea (for a shop to do the work). There is an overfill plug you remove, squirt fluid through the upper fill hole and stop when it comes out the overfill hole. DUH! What if there is no fluid in the torque converter? Run it, crawl under again to check/add fluid and repeat the cycle until you don't have to add any more.
Now to my "I don't know" question. I do know that it is not good to overfill an engine with oil...don't ask! Is it OK to just pour fluid into an automatic trans flooding the pan past full then start and allow the pump to fill the torque converter and draw the pan fluid level down? I am not sure... That's why I would add enough to fill TC and still leave some in the Trans pan, then top off. I don't think that you are going to harm the trans if it runs for three minutes in your garage with low fluid level. Just an old guy without enough knowledge on the subject being cautious. Maybe not even necessary???
Any transmission experts out there willing to share the deeper truths on this approach??? Chap

 

[Farnsrocket]

When I finally get to changing my transmission fluid in my 2014, I plan on following this simple method and do several drain and fills. I think the key is to replace with EXACTLY what comes out each time. I might check level after the drain and fills and use a digital thermometer, get the pan to 100 degrees and crack the overfill bolt.

 

[Chappy R]

Great approach for your situation Farnsocket. My concern for My2cents was flooding the transmission with 8 quarts of fluid at one time. I know that everything inside, including the solenoids are being splashed by ATF all the time, I was questioning if it was a good idea to submerse everything while waiting on the pump to redistribute the fluid? Didn't seem like a risk worth taking.
I once got a Timex watch for my birthday, think I was about 10-11??? It said "water resistant" I soon learned that it was not "waterproof.". My parents did not replace it for me... Chap

 

[Farnsrocket]

Great approach for your situation Farnsocket. My concern for My2cents was flooding the transmission with 8 quarts of fluid at one time. I know that everything inside, including the solenoids are being splashed by ATF all the time, I was questioning if it was a good idea to submerse everything while waiting on the pump to redistribute the fluid? Didn't seem like a risk worth taking.
I once got a Timex watch for my birthday, think I was about 10-11??? It said "water resistant" I soon learned that it was not "waterproof.". My parents did not replace it for me... Chap

Better safe than sorry I guess!
Your Timex story

 

[My2cents]

Your original post does not say what year your vehicle is. I hope it is old enough to have a dip stick/fill tube in the engine compartment. Newer ones have the fill hole on the side of the transmission itself. What a great idea (for a shop to do the work). There is an overfill plug you remove, squirt fluid through the upper fill hole and stop when it comes out the overfill hole. DUH! What if there is no fluid in the torque converter? Run it, crawl under again to check/add fluid and repeat the cycle until you don't have to add any more.
Now to my "I don't know" question. I do know that it is not good to overfill an engine with oil...don't ask! Is it OK to just pour fluid into an automatic trans flooding the pan past full then start and allow the pump to fill the torque converter and draw the pan fluid level down? I am not sure... That's why I would add enough to fill TC and still leave some in the Trans pan, then top off. I don't think that you are going to harm the trans if it runs for three minutes in your garage with low fluid level. Just an old guy without enough knowledge on the subject being cautious. Maybe not even necessary???
Any transmission experts out there willing to share the deeper truths on this approach??? Chap

Yep that would've been a useful bit of info to have. It's a 2001 SR5 4.7. Well this being my first rodeo with the tranny fluid i'm soaking up all i can from you guys and gals if there happens to be any Tundra Lady's out there. I have always fixed my own vehicles but heck that doesn't mean squat these days. Rebuilding a carb on my 69 cutlass or changing points, plugs, distributor, setting the timing could pretty much be done in 2 or 3 hours on a Saturday morning and be rolling Saturday night. Growing up during the late 60's and throughout the 70's was a great time, man those days are gone for good. A couple summers back my ol' tundra started being lazy on startup. So i checked my cables and snugged them down a bit and i also thought it could very well be my starter going out since it had the original one still on it. So i go on a hunt for it and heck i can't find it. Must have overlooked it so i crawled back under the truck and still didn't see it. Long story short when i finally found out where Toyota had placed that little devil I said whaaaaatttt!!! You got to be kidding me. Nope no kidding it's right under there just where they put it. I got the last laugh for the time being cause it's still starting it up everyday. Anyway didn't mean to get off in the weeds there so I'm gonna take everyones comments and figure out a game plan and go after it and hope for the best.. If i had it to do all over i'd still attempt it myself i would've just waited till it got warmer maybe spring would have been a good choice. Hard to work under a truck at 33 deg and 10 mph winds. Probably should have thought of that first. Ya'll take care and thanks to everyone for the help. Man I wish I had gotten on here a long time ago it's pretty cool.

 

[Chappy R]

I think what I love most about working on cars/trucks over the years is how each one is a new, yet similar adventure. When you think that you have all the answers you are either delusional or in denial. Best approach I have found is to not assume you know anything. As "My2cents" said it use to be easy. You could see the spark plugs and a carb was adjusted by turning a little knurled screw. Timing was done by ear and you had to actually look to see if your tire was low on air. When there was a major issue you went to a mechanic who for ten-bucks would replace a water pump. Now you go to a "technician" who for $200 will tell you a dumma hicky is mis aligned and not functioning in unison with a cross over thing-a-ma-jig.
Guess when I finally have all the answers they will be closing the lid on my casket. " But I am enjoying the adventure"... Chap