Large fluid level changes when cold / hot?

[gdk771]

I have a 96 4.0 Ranger with the 4R44E transmission. I noticed when the trans was cold and engine running it showed low fluid (below the bottom hole). I added about 1/2 of a quart of Mercon V and noticed the transmission shifting odd. I then checked after driving about 30 miles and noticed it is now about 1" above the cross hatched area and top hole. I also noticed some bubbles in the fluid which I think means it is foaming. Can anyone tell me what the fluid capacity range is between the lower hole and upper hole? Also, is the level accurate after driving around 45 min or 30 miles or is this too "hot". I don't know how much I should remove now to bring it back to normal.

Thanks

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Check the trans fluid when hot. So a 30min drive should do.
You've overfilled the trans. Not sure what can happen but the foaming gives me concern. I would loosen off the trans pan bolts and let out the same amount as you put in. Park on a bit of a hill or on car ramps.

 

[Dirtman]

Yup, trans fluid should always be checked hot. Pretty sure it even says that on the dipstick lol. SOMETIMES you may be able to stick a gas tank siphon hose down the dipstick tube to remove some fluid. But usually your stuck pulling the pan like floored said.

 

[19Walt93]

I would loosen one of the fittings at the radiator and let it idle for a while to slowly leak out some fluid. There are 2 holes in the dipstick, one indicates too low to drive cold and the other is the minimum for a hot trans. If a transmission is overfull enough so the rotating parts hit fluid it will foam and could cause damage if the foam gets sucked up by the pump, very slightly over full won't hurt. Not overfull at all is best and safest.

 

[gdk771]

OK Thanks guys. Sounds like I need to remove some fluid. I am going to pick this up at Harbor Freight today and see if it works taking off the adapter and sticking the tube down the fill when it is cold.

Pneumatic Brake Fluid Bleeder with Auto-Refill Kit

Amazing deals on this Pneumatic Brake Fluid Bleeder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

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[franklin2]

That will work if the line is long enough to go down in the tube. A transmission guy also showed me a way. He took a glass jar with a metal lid, and drilled two round holes in the lid that fit some rubber line tightly. One line went through the lid only like 1/2 inch, and it hooked to a vacuum port on the engine. The other line was long and went to the bottom of the jar, through the other hole in the lid, and then all the way down the dipstick tube to the tranny pan. Turn the engine on, and it fills the jar right up. Turn the engine off when the jar almost gets full.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

That will work if the line is long enough to go down in the tube. A transmission guy also showed me a way. He took a glass jar with a metal lid, and drilled two round holes in the lid that fit some rubber line tightly. One line went through the lid only like 1/2 inch, and it hooked to a vacuum port on the engine. The other line was long and went to the bottom of the jar, through the other hole in the lid, and then all the way down the dipstick tube to the tranny pan. Turn the engine on, and it fills the jar right up. Turn the engine off when the jar almost gets full.

This also works for bleeding brakes and slave cylinders on a trans. Just use the correct size hose for the bleeder nipples. There's pics somewhere on site of my setup.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah. Transylvania fluid is very thin and so it expands/contracts a lot with temperature changes and most transmissions run at about 177 degrees.

 

[Dirtman]

Wouldn't Transylvania fluid be blood?