So I did my 60K this past weekend. Did all the stuff and all is well...except that I checked my tranny oil level this morning after the car had been sitting overnight and the level is past the "F" hole. How much is too much and I know I probably have to face the daunting task of getting the car up on ramps, draining it, and then re-checking the oil level...but I don't have any more of the fluid left to fill up the tranny if I drain it too much. Any suggestions? :)

I don't know exactly how much is too much, but I had the same problem as you. I ended up just reaching under the car (not on ramps) to loosen the drain plug and let some oil out. Just let out a little at a time until you get it to the correct level. I found this easier than putting it on ramps, draining some oil, backing off ramps & checking the level.

Cool - thanks jac04. Problem is my car is lowered and I don't think I can just reach under and loosen the plug. We'll see though :)

Problem is my car is lowered and I don't think I can just reach under and loosen the plug. We'll see though :)

Yeah, I thought about that right after I posted.
I have also tried siphoning oil out of the fill tube with a vacuum pump to lower the level. It was a real PITA. Maybe you can drive up onto 4 pieces wood to give you a little more clearance. Have Fun!

Is it even possible to overfill? I mean, if it's too full when you're filling it doesn't the excess just come out before you even get a chance to put the filler plug back in?

Is it even possible to overfill? I mean, if it's too full when you're filling it doesn't the excess just come out before you even get a chance to put the filler plug back in?
We're talking about the transmission, not the rear diff. ;)

Haha :lol:

Get yourself a 10 foot length of 1/4 inch ID plastic tubing from a hardware store. Have the tansmission warm/hot to lower the viscosity. Syphon out into a clear container and guess by checking the trans oil level a time or two. O-yes a cold beer is good the get the oil out of your teeth. BTDT and it will work. ed

My dad did the same exact thing on my old Jeep before it was mine. He easily put over an extra quart of ATF fluid, and did not want to drain it all and buy more...

We went to Home Depot, and they had a drill mounted siphon for such applications. You put the bit in any drill, and there are two tubes, one for pulling liquids in and one for when they come out. It was a nice easy solution and prevented having to drain the fluid. For the same effect, replace your mouth w/ the motorized pump and suck some out...

My dad did the same exact thing on my old Jeep before it was mine. He easily put over an extra quart of ATF fluid, and did not want to drain it all and buy more...

We went to Home Depot, and they had a drill mounted siphon for such applications. You put the bit in any drill, and there are two tubes, one for pulling liquids in and one for when they come out. It was a nice easy solution and prevented having to drain the fluid. For the same effect, replace your mouth w/ the motorized pump and suck some out...
And you suck the liquid out from above - where the tranny dipstick goes in?

Any pics of this nice contraption? :)

And you suck the liquid out from above - where the tranny dipstick goes in?
Exactly.

Exactly.

Hmmm ok - sounds doable. Do you recall how much the piece was? And it can be found by all the drill bits and such?

I'd guess less than $0.50/ft. for the clear. Just suck it out :p

-Charles-

Not sure where they are at HD, but here is what you are looking for:
http://www2.northerntool.com/product-1/11948.htm

......cut a clean gallon jug off and just loosen the drain plug enough to let it drip.....it IS possible......let it drip below while checking the level from above......when it is at the desired level, jump under and tighten the plug and done......if too much drains out, pour it back in...as long as the jug is clean to start(use a water jug), the oil will stay clean.

Didn't think about that Uncle - brain isn't working up to par today I guess :rolleyes:

Does it matter with the tranny oil when you measure the level (car hot or cold)?

Thanks for all of the help y'all!!! I'll get to it tomorrow.

interesting....

Didn't think about that Uncle - brain isn't working up to par today I guess :rolleyes:

Does it matter with the tranny oil when you measure the level (car hot or cold)?

Thanks for all of the help y'all!!! I'll get to it tomorrow.


It should be warm....and pull the dipstick out BEFORE you loosen the plug 'cuz the vaccum may keep it from dripping very fast...and then you pull the dipstick and---BAM....it all runs out, way quick like ;)

OK thanks again US :)

someone can correct me if i'm wrong but shouldn;t the tranny oil lvl only be checked when the car is running? or did you already do this???

cause when i replaced mine it was over F but i started the car and checked it while the car was running and its a little under F

I change mine at every 15k and never seem to get it perfect. I let mine sit over the F mark for 15k and didnt have one issue at all. I just changed it again and its above the F mark but I barely put in over 3.7 qts. I had a gallon jug and its got some left so even if its over F its not a whole lot that I would think would be an issue. just my 2 cents.

I think I figured out why mine was way past the F mark. I recall filling the tranny while my car was still on ramps. Wasn't thinking that day as we had multiple service things going on while it was still on ramps (i.e. draining coolant and engine oil). I drained the tranny oil this past weekend and filled it back up and now it's right at the F mark :D