Finished reinstalling the E4OD I rebuild yesterday and began to fill with transmission fluid ((backwards compatible)) Motorcraft Mercon V). According to the Hayne's manual, I found that the truck takes between 16.2 and 17 quarts of fluid. I initially added 3 quarts to the torque converter (from Florida Torque Converters) when installing. When it came time to add fluid to the transmission I added 4 quarts and started the engine in park (still on the jackstands). Once the engine had run for about 30 seconds, I went to add 9.5 more quarts through the dipstick. I immediately got back in the truck (still running), and shifted it into reverse where I observed the wheels turning backwards in the air, and then shifted it into drive where I left it for about 10 seconds while the wheels spun forward. When I went to check the dipstick however, I got a reading nearly double that of the fill line. Now I understand the obvious fact that the fluid was still running down the dipstick tube, but I was wondering if I HAVE in fact overfilled it or if the fluid has not cycled fully into the transmission yet (although since the wheels moved that seems unlikely). It's a 2WD by the way so definitely shallower pan than 4x4. Sorry for the long post, thanks for any and all help.

96 F150
single cab long bed
white with blue interiror
4.9L E4OD 2WD

 

This is the spec AMSOIL says for the full capacity. It’s still more than you added though.

 

Exactly, that's the fill spec which is why I was a bit confused. I'll check her again today when I'm home, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas.

 

Are you checking the fluid with the engine idling and the trans in park?

 

Yes, however I had essentially just added it so some could have still been going down the dipstick tube. It went into reverse and drive no problem, but I know that overfilling is not good. It's not a big deal to get my fluid pump out and remove some, but I want to make sure whether or not it is overfilled. Essentially the dipstick is saying it wants less fluid but the manual says I have the correct amount

 

Also move the shift lever to each position, PRND21.

 

Good point I'll do that today. Got caught up yesterday testing it on jackstands. Found out the hard way that my rear driver's side brake doesn't work. When I was in the cab I applied the brake to shift from reverse to park and the wheel kept spinning backwards and a grinding noise was heard (which I can only assume to be the parking gear and pawl engaging without being stopped first?). Regardless, a street test proved it to be okay because the other brakes (and weight of the truck) stopped the wheel. I will try all gears today and see how it goes. My main question is how bad is running the trans overfilled? I don't plan on KEEPING it overfilled and for around the block and stuff I'm sure it'll be okay, but what exactly happens to the trans and or fluid if it stay overfilled?

 

A trans pan with a drain plug was left off the rebuild price?
You spent all that dough and now need to use a suction gun
Here is the pan you need (you can just weld a fine thread nut inside the pan, and use a bolt)
This Hughes l have for my E4OD is expensive
Some of those transmissions get tested and have residual fluid in them
Once i get about 8 quarts in one like yours, I will stop adding unless I see a clean stick

 

 

You will be fine if the transmission was overfilled for as long as you did it and for how many miles you drove it. Of course, you will know in a few days if I am wrong. Bring your cell phone with you just in case.

 

The problem with overfilling is that it can foam the fluid. Foamed ATF can't lubricate very well, so that causes wear. That's the smaller problem. The bigger problem is the foamed fluid GREATLY expands, so now the trans is grossly overfilled. There is so much extra volume that it can be forced out of the vent, the dipstick, and sometimes gaskets. All of the fluid is very close to the exhaust, so a major fire is not out of the question. I've seen it happen from an overfilled transmission. Burned it right to the ground,

 

Yes, but that did not happen and I believe the OP did not have the engine running that long.

I worked with Mercedes most of my career and the Germans always were puzzled why the Americans were so fascinated with adding transmission fluid. Once it's filled properly, unless there is a leak, it should be fine. Fluid temperatures need to be checked hot, which can't happen in the driveway.

 

No trans fluid was residually left in the vehicle, this was a complete teardown and rebuild (clutches, steels, valvebody, lip seals, pistons, band, etc). The only reason I did not add a pan with a drain plug is because I'm 16, my boss ran out of work for me and the funds ran out too (and I figured it could be added later.) I purchased 18 quarts of Motorcraft Mercon V and used it as follows: I soaked clutches in mercon v before installing, I filled the torque converter with 3 quarts of fluid, I put 4 quarts in the transmission before starting the engine. I started the engine and let it idle in park while I added and additional 9.5 quarts of fluid. I was left with a half quart of fluid. So 3 qts in the TC + 4 qts while idling in park + 9.5 qts afterwards equals 16.5 quarts in the trans and TC. When I checked the dipstick it reads roughly double that of the fill line (while hot). Every single manual or source online has said between 16 and 17 quarts of fluid. It is a 2wd which of course could mean a shallower pan (but I saw nothing online differentiating the fluid amount from a deep pan online). Really what I need to understand is: Do I go off of the manual reccomended fluid level (like I have done)? OR Do I go based off the dipstick? Instinct says disptick but I'm not sure.

 

[QUOTE=1Butcher;20805091]Yes, but that did not happen and I believe the OP did not have the engine running that long.

I sure hope the fluid didn't foam. It was just a little jaunt around the neighborhood a couple times, no longer than 5 minutes and no higher than a speed of 30 mph just to give her a little test

 

Definitely want to avoid that lol. it seems counterintuitive though, I have to run the car to diagnose the issue that could hurt the car while running. Is it possible my dipstick tube is bent or angled improperly? Maybe that sounds far fetched because it is attached with a bellhousing bolt.