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Just replaced the tranny fluid in a 4R100 and have a problem/question. I have one of the older convertors that has a drain plug. I removed it and between the convertor and tranny itself, I removed 16 qts. of fluid. Closed everything up and started adding the new fluid. I figured I'd stop at 15 qts. and check the level. Unfortunately when I had just finished putting in the 15th, fluid came pouring out the front of the tranny pan at the front left corner. Once it stopped, I started up the engine drove around and all seems fine. After warmup the level looks to be about a 1/2 to 1 quart high and I'll adjust it downward. I lost about 1/2 a qt. on the floor.
The confusion is why did it leak, from where, and why does it not leak under normal conditions? It's possbile the level was high previously, but I must be missing something related to the re-fill and where the fluid goes until the engine is started.
It probally leaked because most of the 16 qt's is in the converter not the tranny itself, so the tranny was probally overfilled. If I remember correctly your supposed to add 4 or 5 qt's then start the engine so the fluid will be pumped into the converter and continue adding the rest of the fluid with the engine running pausing to shift between all the gears.
Thanks to all for the replies. I bought the Haynes shop manuals and there's no reference to partial filling, but then I'm sure Techs know how to do it in the real world. I'd still like to know where the extra fluid was leaking from and why it doesn't under normal circumstances. Kinda strange unless there's an overflow I can't see. I had mark's procedure, but I didn't want to do the pump out as suggested. I should have paid more attention though regarding the filling instructions.