So after a 2 year nap i started up the old F350 here tonight.

after getting it running and letting it idle for 10 minutes or so i checked the trans fluid level and it appears to be fairly low, so it probably leaked out a fair amount while being parked for so long.

my question is, where should the fluid be on the dipstick when cold? i know it has to be checked warm to be accurate, but i want to make sure there is enough in there that it can be safely driven long enough to get it warm enough to check accurately.

it was way at the bottom of the dipstick, so i added about a half quart. this was enough to get the cold fluid level up to the bottom-most hole on the dipstick.

is that enough to take it for a drive without worry?

the trans engaged is all gear positions as it sits.

i just don't want to burn it up while trying to get it warm enough to check.

thoughts?

 

Assuming you have the dipstick with 3 holes...

the following is a description of the dipstick and levels, read from the BOLD text line down below, then read UPWARDS sentence by sentence to match going up the dipstick!!!

About .5" higher than that is the FULL MARK for hot ATF.

About .75" higher is the third hole, that is the Full mark for cool ATF, AND the LOW mark for hot ATF.

.25" higher is the second hole, that is the LOW mark for cool ATF.

The bottom hole is the "Do Not Drive" level.

Starting from the bottom of the dipstick going upwards: ^


So if it were me doing it, I would add more ATF and set the cold ATF level getting close to the third hole. Where you are now at the first hole is right on the edge of the danger zone.

Info is from a 1977 Ford auto trans book by Ford technical training.

 

that is very helpful!

thank you very much!