Trans Pan Capacity

B

budpytko

Registered
OK, I KNOW I've seen it here somewhere, but I'll be danged if I can find it now....if one drained the transmission pan (I have '98), what is the amount that it is supposed to hold? Everything I look at says to use the dipstick to bring it to full, but there HAS to be a required amount given somewhere.

I have attempted to check the fluid level the normal way...drive till hot, pull dipstick, wipe off, reinsert stick and pull it back out, read it. Sounds simple, but every time I do this, the level is all over the place, and usually way too high on the stick.

So, as I just installed this '98 tranny in my '97 in the fall, it SHOULD not manufacture it's own fluid! Yes, I drained the complete trans AND the torque converter... Refill after install with 14 quarts of Mercon V.... AND I used the dipstick that was still in the '98 tranny.

What I want to do is now drain the pan (I installed a drain plug before the install) and refill it with the required amount....IF I can find out what the required amount is....
 
I always check my trans when it's cold. I agree, it's all over when it's hot.

There is a mark on the dipstick that says cold.
 
It needs to be running. I check mine in park.

I start it up, let it idle down to normal, then check it.
 
budpytko said:
Yes, I drained the complete trans AND the torque converter... Refill after install with 14 quarts of Mercon V.... AND I used the dipstick that was still in the '98 tranny.
....
Click to expand...

Why 14 qts? Are you sure the tranny and converter were completely empty??

I use the half and half rule.

After the full drain, I will put in 1/2 the fluid (7 qts). Then I start the car and slowly cycle the shifter through each shift position and back to park. Check the fluid level and then add 1/2 of the previous amount (3-1/2 qts) repeating the cycling of the transmission and checking the fluid level. Repeat until fluid is showing on the dipstick using 1/2 of the previous amount added (1-3/4 qts, 7/8 qts, etc...). Once it is on the cross-hatched section of the dipstick, I take it for a short ride to bring up to operating temperature. Once up to operating temperature, recheck the fluid level and top off if necessary. You will often find yourself using a couple quarts less than anticipated.

I suspect you have overfilled the transmission.
 
The pan was off for a few days....so I'm positive the tranny was dry. I removed the convertor I received with the '98 tranny, (it was shipped - wired in so it wouldn't fall out in transit ) and removed the plug and left it turning drain down for a day prior to reinstallation. Let's say I ASSUMED it was empty. Sure was a LOT lighter than the '97's.

I did fill it almost as you said.....I think I started the car after 5-6 quarts and continually checked after adding X number of quarts till dipstick read at the lower end of crosshatch. I did have fluid left in the gallon jug went it showed at the crosshatch.
Don't remember how much.
 
Say when!

Say when!

I always thought the capacity of the trans was approximately 12 quarts after the removal of the pan and installation of a new filter.

Love the idea of installing a drain plug on the pan. It makes for a less messy change next time.

I would go with 10 to 11 quarts and then check it hot on level ground with the engine running and the trans in park. I would keep adding a little at a time until I got to the full/hot mark.
 
You must NOT have started at the first post about this: After it is hot, the dipstick is ALWAYS overfull..... and I KNOW I did not overfill it. It MUST be manufacturing it's own fluid!!! LOL That was my problem. According to my book, it holds 12.8 quarts. I screwed up saying 14 quarts...I put in 12 (from 3 one-gallon jugs) and from one -one quart can. Total 13 quarts....but I never completely put in the whole last quart .... showed full on the stick. I'm gonna go out right now and see where it is running, cold as Billcu suggested....

OK...it reads "FULL ...On the COLD side of the stick. Right at the top of the cross-hatch area. So I consider the fluid level to be 'right-on' !
 
Last edited:
Red Box Rebel said:
I always thought the capacity of the trans was approximately 12 quarts after the removal of the pan and installation of a new filter.
Click to expand...


Negative! You will only refill it with approximately 4 1/2 - 5 quarts. The converter holds another 5 - 6 quarts so if you're not draining that, start by putting in 4 quarts and re-check. Thats only on a pan drop and filter change.
 
Drain it all?

Drain it all?

J said:
Negative! You will only refill it with approximately 4 1/2 - 5 quarts. The converter holds another 5 - 6 quarts so if you're not draining that, start by putting in 4 quarts and re-check. Thats only on a pan drop and filter change.
Click to expand...

I assumed that the converter was also being drained.
 
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