Auto overfilled? dipstick length?

[98rammer]

LONG ONE. alright, i've been having problems ever since i got the truck. about 10 times i've left from a stoplight and it has slipped (the rpm's were down low like in gear, not in neutral). the atf smelled fine and was is great shape. i checked the fluid the right way and it was up to par. well, i've noticed how the AT dipstick would push in and then pop out a little. ok... now i have to trim it what, a 1/2 inch or so? will this throw the accurate reading off? a friend of mine from dodge-diesel has had problems with his transmission slipping after it was overfilled with fluid (should be out of the shop again-being redone). he had the same symptoms as me from the stoplight that no one i know has had.



alright... 3 times this happened today. i was coming down from a higher speed to 10-20mph. i got back onthe throttle and the motor bogged. it felt like i had melted a piston or too (down it twice on my snowmobile--will be replacing the pistons again this summer). well, 3rd time around i kept my foot into it and it started to clear out. SO... . basically the 2nd gear was slipping or something and pulling down on the motor (it'd hit about 1500rpms and then ease it's way up to 2,000, then start to pick up faster).



alright, now i have to drop the transmission pan and dump out some of the fluid. as i asked before will trimming the dipstick throw the accurate reading off?



thanks to anyone as i'm scared i'm going to lose this transmission !!

 

[illflem]

It's a known fact some dipsticks are too long, I cut a 1/4" off mine to make it stay down. You should be pushing the dipstick all the way down to get an accurate reading anyways, cutting it won't effect anything. Better yet get a Mag-Hytec deep pan and skip the dipstick trim. Better than dropping the pan to remove excess is to remove a cooler line at the trans engine off, a couple of qts will come out.

 

[Pit Bull]

It does not hurt a automatic transmission to over fill it with fluid. It only hurts it to under fill it. Check with a good transmission man he will tell you the samething.

 

[98rammer]

alright, that's good to know. does the overfilling possibly cause this problem? everyone who i've talekd to doesn't know. i should have the transmission flushed though and have the bands tightened (the problem?)

 

[Pit Bull]

Do not flush your transmission that could cause more problems. Just drain refill and change the filter when required. I would take it to a good transmission shop and have them trouble shoot it. Good luck.

 

[illflem]

It depends on what type of flush you are talking about. The type where they flush your old atf out with new atf is great, the pan still needs to be dropped, filter changed and bands adjusted though. The type of flush where they run a solvent though the system should be avoided at all costs, it will lead to failure. Most good transmission shops won't even offer a solvent flush, if they do and try to sell you on it go elsewhere, it's not a good transmission shop.



Over filling can cause problems but it needs to be very overfilled. When over full the fluid will be whipped up and aerated, the fluid on your dipstick will look foamy.

 

[BudW]

I agree with illflem. It generally takes 2 or more quarts to overfill a transmission of this type.

At that time, the fluid level is high enough to make contact with moving parts, which turns the fluid into foam (noticeable on dipstick). Foam does not allow hydraulics to operate like they should nor lubricates like it should. Foam should be avoided like the plaque.



I have discovered the Dipstick on my truck is very difficult to get an accurate reading. I recently had transmission slipping concerns. I would check the dipstick and it APPEARED to be full. I pulled the pan to do a service/inspect for damage. At 176K miles on my original untouched transmission, it looked great inside. I refilled it with 7 quarts of ATF and discovered I only drained out 3 quarts. Being 1 gallon low of ATF was my problem (plus a leaking dipstick tube O-ring).



It takes me a long time to make sure the fluid level is correct and after some trial/errors, discovered makes a big difference.



I also discovered that Dextron II/III will allow a transmission to slip more compared to the +3 (7176) or +4 (9602) ATF.



Bud

 

[illflem]

Bud and I thought I was the only one. I have 178k on a untouched stock AT. My method has been to measure how much I drain then add back just a hair more. Seems to work. Another thing that has probably helped in having no problems is that I leave OD off until I'm at highway speeds, which in Montana is at the end of my driveway.

 

[98rammer]

ok, that second gear problem... . getting worse it just feels like the transmission is pulling on the motor. it only does it if i slow down and then apply throttle at about 10-20mph and it's in 2nd gear. if i let of and then get into the throttle hard it'll be fine (or hit it into neutral, then back to drive). now i'm scared, shoula gotten the 5 speed

 

[Extreme1]

Sounds more like a shifting control problem than slipping clutch pack. A slipping clutch pack will let the engine rev, not pull it down. Take it to a good trans shop. They should be able to diagnose with a test drive.



Is the kick down cable set right?

 

[98rammer]

no, the bands aren't slipping. it is pulling the motor down. i'll check the kickdown cable, but it doubt that it's that. it didn't do it today. btw, i checked the fluid today and it's a nice bright red.