Transmission questions

[Riff Raff]

MIKEMOL--- I am so sorry to hear about your messy experience. I know you must be really frustrated by now. It sounds that when you were running your engine, that you also had the fill plug removed at the same time (not good). Never, never, run the engine without the fill plug re-installed. In addition; never, never, remove the fill plug with engine running.

Yes, you can use the Syringe-Pump as a very convenient way to add AT fluid in a steady methodical manner and it will give you the ability to stop filling as soon as you encounter overflow out of the fill plug hole. Basically; with the engine off, fill with AT fluid until it overflows out of the fill hole. Then replace fill plug. Start engine, and cycle through each gear momentarily pausing in each gear for about 15 seconds to insure adequate cycling coverage of fluid. Then stop engine, and remove fill plug and refill until AT fluid again overflows through fill hole. Replace fill plug and repeat running engine through the gears. Stop engine and check fill hole and add more until overflow. When you get to the point when you go to remove the fill plug (with engine off) and AT fluid is already at the edge and you can't add any more AT fluid, then your entire system is completely full. Replace the fill plug with new gasket and torgue to final spec.

I would only use "regular" (not synthetic) DEXTRON III per the instructions. Do not vary from the explicit instructions. In addition, buy yourself a quality Torque Wrench as you should already have one in your tool box anyway. Take your fill plug bolt (as a sample) to NAPA or other quality auto parts store and ask them for an appropriate gasket (you'll need two). When you replace the two plugs with new gaskets for the final time, tighten with your new Torque Wrench to required spec. Do not take chances with factory Torque spec's in an effort to safe money by not buying a quality Torque Wrench. Those Torque spec's are put there for a reason, and you should follow them to the letter!!! Lastly; when replacing plugs, take special care not to accidentally "cross-thread" the plugs into the holes.

[mikemol]

MIKEMOL--- I am so sorry to hear about your messy experience. I know you must be really frustrated by now. It sounds that when you were running your engine, that you also had the fill plug removed at the same time (not good). Never, never, run the engine without the fill plug re-installed. In addition; never, never, remove the fill plug with engine running.

Yes, you can use the Syringe-Pump as a very convenient way to add AT fluid in a steady methodical manner and it will give you the ability to stop filling as soon as you encounter overflow out of the fill plug hole. Basically; with the engine off, fill with AT fluid until it overflows out of the fill hole. Then replace fill plug. Start engine, and cycle through each gear momentarily pausing in each gear for about 15 seconds to insure adequate cycling coverage of fluid. Then stop engine, and remove fill plug and refill until AT fluid again overflows through fill hole. Replace fill plug and repeat running engine through the gears. Stop engine and check fill hole and add more until overflow. When you get to the point when you go to remove the fill plug (with engine off) and AT fluid is already at the edge and you can't add any more AT fluid, then your entire system is completely full. Replace the fill plug with new gasket and torgue to final spec.

I would only use "regular" (not synthetic) DEXTRON III per the instructions. Do not vary from the explicit instructions. In addition, buy yourself a quality Torque Wrench as you should already have one in your tool box anyway. Take your fill plug bolt (as a sample) to NAPA or other quality auto parts store and ask them for an appropriate gasket (you'll need two). When you replace the two plugs with new gaskets for the final time, tighten with your new Torque Wrench to required spec. Do not take chances with factory Torque spec's in an effort to safe money by not buying a quality Torque Wrench. Those Torque spec's are put there for a reason, and you should follow them to the letter!!! Lastly; when replacing plugs, take special care not to accidentally "cross-thread" the plugs into the holes.

Thanks for the instructions. Well, there is a reason as to why I had the fill plug off when running it. In the instructions on the first page in step 2 it specifically says to check the level with the engine running at idle and since there is no dipstick and no explanation as to how exactly I'm supposed to check the level - I guess the only way check it was through the fill plug. So if that's how you check and if the engine should be running - that's what I did - just followed the instructions through I still wasn't too sure as to how exactly I was going to check the level through that plug and it's still a mistery how to check the level. I know how to get it full.

As for the torque wrench, yeah, I know I need to buy one. I wanted one for a long time but never got to buying it yet. I guess it's about time now.

[Ldub]

Thanks for the instructions. Well, there is a reason as to why I had the fill plug off when running it. In the instructions on the first page in step 2 it specifically says to check the level with the engine running at idle and since there is no dipstick and no explanation as to how exactly I'm supposed to check the level - I guess the only way check it was through the fill plug. So if that's how you check and if the engine should be running - that's what I did - just followed the instructions through I still wasn't too sure as to how exactly I was going to check the level through that plug and it's still a mistery how to check the level. I know how to get it full.

As for the torque wrench, yeah, I know I need to buy one. I wanted one for a long time but never got to buying it yet. I guess it's about time now.

Just get a pump that fits the top of a quart of ATF (available at most NAPA & other reputable parts stores), & pump fluid into the fill hole (after going through all the steps in the check level instructions) while the engine is idling in neutral. When it's full, let the excess run out & replace the plug...it's now at the proper level...

I'm in the dark about riff's advice too, so don't feel alone...

[Ldub]

MIKEMOL--- It sounds that when you were running your engine, that you also had the fill plug removed at the same time (not good). Never, never, run the engine without the fill plug re-installed. In addition; never, never, remove the fill plug with engine running.

Basically; with the engine off, fill with AT fluid until it overflows out of the fill hole. Then replace fill plug. Start engine, and cycle through each gear momentarily pausing in each gear for about 15 seconds to insure adequate cycling coverage of fluid. Then stop engine, and remove fill plug and refill until AT fluid again overflows through fill hole. Replace fill plug and repeat running engine through the gears. Stop engine and check fill hole and add more until overflow. When you get to the point when you go to remove the fill plug (with engine off) and AT fluid is already at the edge and you can't add any more AT fluid, then your entire system is completely full.

C'mon riff, did you lose your glasses or something?

READ the instructions previously posted...

What does " #2 Check fluid level with engine running at idle ", mean in tacomanese?

[Riff Raff]

Sure enough, there it is in #2. Me bad. I just don't trust leaving empty holes open when the engine is running. Stuff always seem to leak out that way.

[Ldub]

I just don't trust leaving empty holes open when the engine is running. Stuff always seem to leak out that way.

Agreed...

[CowboyErik]

last time I filled my tranny, it took 1.75 gallons of ATF fluid, sound about right? I used air to purge intercooler and my pans have been dripping for several days, got lots out

[Mile High VX]

last time I filled my tranny, it took 1.75 gallons of ATF fluid, sound about right? I used air to purge intercooler and my pans have been dripping for several days, got lots out

Joe Blacks write up used about 7.5 quarts, so this is pretty close but may be a bit low.

Just make sure that after the initial fill you start it up, run it through all of the gears, and check the level to make sure it's full. If you do that you can't go wrong with the refill.

[CowboyErik]

I pumped in nealy 2 gallons, pulled my house outta the fill hole, fluid poured out, I plugged it right way; I thought my intercooler might have a mild leak, and it poured out seconds after starting, all on the drivers side of the radiator and straight down, no way it ran over from the passenger side and ran out, it poured a quart and stopped after I shut down, dripped for a while, mess, cleaned it up and went out to get a radiator and new coolent hoses since mine are original, crazy, and I still don't know if I have a working tranny yet!