Trany fluid change takes 10+ qts?

[MojaveJoe]

First time I did a simple fluid drain and refill with my new Maghytec double deep pan I took out 9. 5 qts and refilled with the same amount. All was good. Maghytec says the pan adds 4 qts to the fluid.



This time I pulled the pan and replaced the filter too. Iam up to 10 qts and still below the minimum hole in the stick. What gives?



Why do I need so much more fluid?

I do the shift thru the gears ending in Neutral routine before I check fluid level, and engine is at 180+ op temp. 116K on trans.



What am I missing here?

Thanks for any advice or experiences?

Joe

 

[MojaveJoe]

It happened again!
Went for a ride to warm up the trans fluid to 180F.
Checked fluid level in neutral etc.
Reading right at the bottom of the cross hatched "OK" area at 10. 5 qts.
Took readings every minute and got the same level for 5 minutes in Neutral.
Then all of a sudden the stick was covered with oil, above Max.

Went for another 2 minute ride.
Checked oil and it was back down to bottom of "OK" zone again.

It's as if after idling for a while, there is a big fluid dump into the pan?
Or as if the stick is in direct line with a return line dumping into the pan?

My MagHytec pan has a 2" spacer for the filter to drop it to the bottom of the deeper pan. So Im thinking, even if the level is below the "OK" area a little, the filter is still got all kinds of fluid to suck. So does the OK zone even come into play with the new pan? i. e. Does my fluid level really need to be in that zone to prevent damage to trany?

 

[LRutigliano]

I don't know if really matters, but the correct instructions state to get the trans warm, then park the truck then set park brake and hold your foot on the service brakes and shift to R for a couple seconds, then D for a couple seconds, then N, then wait one minute, then take reading.



If you are at the bottom of the OK area, then you are fine. Your assumption about the spacer putting the filter into the fluid is correct.



When I installed my MH DD pan, I waited a couple days (truck parked) before installing it and it took 14 qts to fill to the middle of the OK area. I drained 10qts with the stock pan... but my TC drains into the pan only after a few days.

 

[NavyDood]

Depending on how long you sit there and let the transmission drip after dropping the pan, it could easily take 6 qts to refill it with a stock pan. As you stated, you added the Mag-Hytec pan increasing that number by 4. You are fine.



On another note, you can run the 48re 1/2" over the full mark and have ZERO adverse effects.

 

[JValdez]

I have the double deep pan and it did the same thing. The final amount was 10. 5 quarts. As soon as it showed ok I left it alone. Been good so far.

 

[MojaveJoe]

I have checked it twice now after 1hr+ drives. I check it right after I stop and it always comes up at the bottom of the OK zone. Iam satisfied this is the correct reading, so I will add 8 oz to put it in the zone and call it good, at 10. 75 qts.

BTW does anyone know how much fluid is needed for the entire OK zone on the stick? Im guessing 16 oz or 1/2 qt. Its approximately 1/2" long.

Thanks to everyone for your advice.