Auto transmission 3 quarts overfull on fluid?

I started the transmission fluid change on my 2002 4cyl automatic Tacoma. I pulled the front end up on ramps to make it easier to get the pan off to clean it out. But when i pulled the drain plug the fluid just kept coming and coming and coming. In the end i had 5+ quarts of ATF drain out when i think there is only supposed to be about 2. I haven't driven the truck much since i had just got it but the little that i did drive it the transmission shifted great so i never bothered checking the fluid since i was going to be draining it soon anyways.

Do you think that this transmission could have been over filled by 3+ quarts and still function normally? I dont know how long it has been like this but the lady i bought it off of used to maintain the truck fairly well at the dealer. I dont see how the dealer could have overfilled the tranny this badly.

But when you drain the pan 2 quarts is the norm right? My manual says capacity on the 4wd transmission is 1.8 quarts.

 

I drained over 4 quarts first time I did a drain and fill.

When I recently drained and pulled my transmission oil pan and filter, I think I got a good 7 quarts out total.

You're good. Just make sure when you refill, you bring up to operating temperature, shift and delay between each gear change, then park (while on a flat, level surface) to check your fluid level.

 

It has been a while since i have done a flush. But last time i did one on my 4 runner i remember measuring how much came out putting the same back in +1 quart. Then taking a line loose at the radiator and putting it in a 1 quart bottle have having someone start the truck and pump a quart or 2 out then shut it off and i would put a quart or 2 back in. I ver fill by a quart because im just going to pump it back out in a few moments anyways and i dont want to run the tranny dry.

But with this i would be putting 6 quarts into this stupid thing and something tells me this is a bad idea. I really wish i had checked the fluid before i drained it because i feel like this thing is way over full. But if you drained 4 quarts out it makes me feel a little better. Maybe i will put 4 quarts in and then drain 1 quart at a time then drive the truck to warm the fluid and check to see where i am at.

 

Ideally you measure what you drained out from the pan and then put that amount of fluid back in. Sometimes you can't measure it, I think I used empty milk jug to give me a close enough idea.
If it was shifting great before, I would put the amount in that you drained out. 3 quarts extra would certainly cause shifting issues, I'd guess at least.
If you want to use the dipstick to measure how full or not it is, the truck needs to be warmed up and tranny at operating temp. Park on very flat surface, truck is already warmed up, so put in Park then shift through each gear and back into park and then pull your dipstick and check it. Follow the side for the hot measurement. Auto tranny and fluid already warmed up is the proper way to check tranny fluid level

 

Yes, even if it is overfilled it can function properly. If it is too much what will happen is the excess will puke out throufh the vent hose or tubing. It will make a mess on your undercarriage, and possibly damage an oxygen sensor but the tranny will shift fine until the situation is either corrected, or it has self corrected the level on its own. (Which will take a while, and is very messy)

 

well the under side of the truck was dry there was no atf sprayed everywhere, maybe it's ok. I really wish i had checked the fluid level properly before i drained it though.

 

Did you do a fluid check prior to your draining? Your truck still has a dipstick doesn't it? (can't recall when they ended, but thought it was 2nd gens for the v6 and 3rd gen for both 6 & 4) If you did check it properly it should have shown as overfull. If not, it wasn't.

There may be a clue here. It's possible the tilt was enough to cause some of the converter fluid to drain as well. Driveline fluid changes are best done on a level vehicle.

 

Don't you have a dipstick on that first gen? Its easy to check on those. Like really easy.

 

2nd gens the other way

 

Not even. I don't consider fluid checking my 2nd gen any harder than checking the dipstick on the first gens.

 

What I meant is, the OP stated he didn't check it at all prior to his draining (hence making his statement bold in the quote).

He's unsure about refilling the amount he drained; not an issue of checking the level as it sits now.

 

I sort of thought that's what you might had been getting at but it's still easy, if there is any doubt, run 3 quarts in there, run to temperature. Cycle through the gears to make sure the fluid gets to where it needs to and recheck and top off as needed until you get to the amount which measures proper level. Easy peasy.

 

What you're getting at is, the OP is overthinking it lol

Think we already agree.

Fortunately the same advice you posted was echoed by others already (myself included) so hopefully that helps the OP in his endeavors.

 

Oh! sorry, got it now. I'm at work so my level of non comprehension on certain things on here is unreal sometimes.

 

yeah i just did not check the fluid before i started....

Anyways here is a tip for getting the transmission pan off when they are glued on with that nasty Toyota RTV that refuses to let go. I have tried using a razor blade around the sides tapping on the pan with a rubber mallet trying gently with a screw driver. The one tool that i have found that will quickly pop the pan off is a paint scraper. For some reason this tool slides right in there if you start with the point and just work it the pan will be off in under a minute it is amazing.

 

I just thought i would update this since i just got done changing the fluid. I drained over 5 quarts out of the pan when the owners manual clearly says the pan holds 1.8 quarts. I put 4 quarts in and flushed 2 quarts at a time refilling the 2 quarts every time i ran 2 out. I used 3 gallons and when i was done i drove the truck and check the fluid and it's pretty low on ATF. I think it might take a quart and a half to bring it back up to where it needs to be which is about how much i drained of the pan so it was never over full. By the time the last 2 quarts came out of the tranny cooler line it was bright red so a complete torque converter flush will need 4 gallons.

 

bingo

 

owners manual states the wrong amount, should have 4 quarts on a pan drain, just put back in 3 quarts get the truck to operating temp. if low fill a few ounces at a time until a proper level is achieved. make sure you go out on the highway and get the torque convertor into lockup after a few miles at highway speed then check it