Over filled automatic transmission again...
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Switzerland
Over filled automatic transmission again...
I have changed in my cars and trucks the automatic transmission oil and filter several times,but somehow I manage to overfill my F-150 2004. This is the second time now. 
The manual says 4.7 liters first, I filled in first 4 liters just to be safe. Then I drove and it was almost empty (below cold mark). So I filled in some more, 0.8liters...drove again. Then it looked better however not yet on the normal area. So I filled in some more about 0.4liters. Then it looked liked over filled (over the hot area).
Is there a way to get some of the oil out via the dip stick tube? I think at least it takes a really small diameter hose.
The manual says 4.7 liters first, I filled in first 4 liters just to be safe. Then I drove and it was almost empty (below cold mark). So I filled in some more, 0.8liters...drove again. Then it looked better however not yet on the normal area. So I filled in some more about 0.4liters. Then it looked liked over filled (over the hot area).
Is there a way to get some of the oil out via the dip stick tube? I think at least it takes a really small diameter hose.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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Yes a small diameter hose or plastic tube and a suction device will work.\
Are you sure it's overfilled? It can take forever for the fluid to run down the tube so you can get a accurate reading without fluid rubbing off onto the stick.
Are you sure it's overfilled? It can take forever for the fluid to run down the tube so you can get a accurate reading without fluid rubbing off onto the stick.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
If it is just a little over the full mark I wouldnt sweat it. That is a common occurance and I assure you those techs dont try to drain it down .1 or .2 quarts. There is a margin for error that wont hurt anything. Just make sure when you top off the last time that the engine and trans are fully at operating temperature... not just warm but good and operating temp hot and that you run the selector thru all the gears. I dont recommend driving it because you can get foam in there that can give an inaccurate reading. Just let it sit there and run till it gets good and operating temp hot.
Last edited by HomerWinzlow; Apr 6, 2007 at 08:39 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
At walmart, for $7.88 you can get a universal fluid pump, which has a dipstick tube hose. It's supposedly designed to pump most anything, but it has all the fittings to suck the oil out of your oil pan to do an oil change without pulling the drain plug. This would be really easy to get down into the tranny pan to pull out any extra.
By the way, HomerWinzlow, the maintenence guide suggests not changing my tranny fliud until 150k! Is it safe to wait that long?
By the way, HomerWinzlow, the maintenence guide suggests not changing my tranny fliud until 150k! Is it safe to wait that long?
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Originally Posted by HomerWinzlow
IF your driving conditions were absolutely ideal you can wait a long time but I sure as hell wouldnt. I go 30k. Im just old school.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
The main problem with trans service at rapid intervals is if you decide you want a filter as well. Those bolts just wont stay secure after about 6 or so changes like they did when new. A lot of bolts get over torqued into the aluminum body. Not good. So I dont subscribe to changing too often unless it is just a fluid exchange nor for long intervals. If your service is so rough you need changes every 10K you should consider changing out vehicles more often (or at least transmissions). With that kind of service you should have enough tax write offs to manage it.
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Nah, I'm not into frequent tranny service, that's my reason for going synthetic. Change over at 15k, then just check the level and smell it till ( hopefully) about 60k. Tranny shops around here are loaded up with Ford trannys!! I've been lucky, never had a Ford tranny fail on me.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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nascar6dude,
I hate to tell you this, but all the 2004 and up use synthetic fluid right from the factory. It is Mercon V, which is a full synthetic. If you mix the Mercon III/V with it, I have heard you can destroy the trans. If you go with Mercon III when you do a change, you can do the same.
The only place I found straight Mercon V fluid is at the Ford Dealer. None of the aftermarket places have it. They only carry the blend.
The synthetic fluid last 250,000Km between changes. There is also a procedure for changing the filter as well, as it seems to be a special unit that doesn't need changing as regularly as one would think.
If you are swapping out fluid at 15,000 miles, you may be doing it needlessly, from what I have read in the Factory Service Manual for my 2004.
Doug
I hate to tell you this, but all the 2004 and up use synthetic fluid right from the factory. It is Mercon V, which is a full synthetic. If you mix the Mercon III/V with it, I have heard you can destroy the trans. If you go with Mercon III when you do a change, you can do the same.
The only place I found straight Mercon V fluid is at the Ford Dealer. None of the aftermarket places have it. They only carry the blend.
The synthetic fluid last 250,000Km between changes. There is also a procedure for changing the filter as well, as it seems to be a special unit that doesn't need changing as regularly as one would think.
If you are swapping out fluid at 15,000 miles, you may be doing it needlessly, from what I have read in the Factory Service Manual for my 2004.
Doug
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Joined: May 2006
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Originally Posted by Doogie S
nascar6dude,
I hate to tell you this, but all the 2004 and up use synthetic fluid right from the factory. It is Mercon V, which is a full synthetic. If you mix the Mercon III/V with it, I have heard you can destroy the trans. If you go with Mercon III when you do a change, you can do the same.
The only place I found straight Mercon V fluid is at the Ford Dealer. None of the aftermarket places have it. They only carry the blend.
The synthetic fluid last 250,000Km between changes. There is also a procedure for changing the filter as well, as it seems to be a special unit that doesn't need changing as regularly as one would think.
If you are swapping out fluid at 15,000 miles, you may be doing it needlessly, from what I have read in the Factory Service Manual for my 2004.
Doug
I hate to tell you this, but all the 2004 and up use synthetic fluid right from the factory. It is Mercon V, which is a full synthetic. If you mix the Mercon III/V with it, I have heard you can destroy the trans. If you go with Mercon III when you do a change, you can do the same.
The only place I found straight Mercon V fluid is at the Ford Dealer. None of the aftermarket places have it. They only carry the blend.
The synthetic fluid last 250,000Km between changes. There is also a procedure for changing the filter as well, as it seems to be a special unit that doesn't need changing as regularly as one would think.
If you are swapping out fluid at 15,000 miles, you may be doing it needlessly, from what I have read in the Factory Service Manual for my 2004.
Doug
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 144
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Yeah, no kidding things are getting more and more complicated. I think the rear diff has non-synthetic and the front has synthetic, or so I was told. I have to check out the service manual to confirm when adding to or replacing just about any fluid on the new trucks these days.
Not to mention that the Mercan V from Ford is around $8.00 per quart and Mercan III is only $3.00. I'm 95% sure the Mercon V is a full synthetic. Also, FYI, the power steering takes Mercan III, so you still need to buy both...
The service manual warns against using blends or non-synthetics in the transmission.
Cheers,
Doug
Not to mention that the Mercan V from Ford is around $8.00 per quart and Mercan III is only $3.00. I'm 95% sure the Mercon V is a full synthetic. Also, FYI, the power steering takes Mercan III, so you still need to buy both...
The service manual warns against using blends or non-synthetics in the transmission.
Cheers,
Doug
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
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From: SE Georgia
Originally Posted by Wolfdog
I have changed in my cars and trucks the automatic transmission oil and filter several times,but somehow I manage to overfill my F-150 2004. This is the second time now.
The manual says 4.7 liters first, I filled in first 4 liters just to be safe. Then I drove and it was almost empty (below cold mark). So I filled in some more, 0.8liters...drove again. Then it looked better however not yet on the normal area. So I filled in some more about 0.4liters. Then it looked liked over filled (over the hot area).
Is there a way to get some of the oil out via the dip stick tube? I think at least it takes a really small diameter hose.
The manual says 4.7 liters first, I filled in first 4 liters just to be safe. Then I drove and it was almost empty (below cold mark). So I filled in some more, 0.8liters...drove again. Then it looked better however not yet on the normal area. So I filled in some more about 0.4liters. Then it looked liked over filled (over the hot area).
Is there a way to get some of the oil out via the dip stick tube? I think at least it takes a really small diameter hose.