A4LD Capacity
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 85
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From: Bothell, WA
A4LD Capacity
I've got a 1993 Explorer with the A4LD tranny and since I've had it I have gotten a couple of tranny services done where they have just pulled the pan, replaced the filter and filled it back up. One time I got charged for 4 quarts the other time for 5 quarts. I'm going to start doing it myself and I was wondering if I should put 4 or 5 back in? The last one I had done was the one where they charged me for 4 quarts and the level seems good but what is the normal refill amount? Thanks!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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A4LD Capacity
Normally 3.5 quarts to refill after pan drop and filter change. Depending on the type of dipstick used, they can be tricky to read. Residual ATF in the dipstick tube creates an artificially high level on the dipstick. It is good practice to re-check the level the following day after all the residual fluid in the tube has drained out. The results are sometimes surprising and in the A4LD, a difference of half a quart can make a big difference in ease of operation.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: VA/USA
A4LD Capacity
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Dec-02 AT 10:03 PM (EST)]I would go back to wherever the 5 qts. were added, and billed - and 1st, ask politely for an explanation, if they hesitate, stutter, or otherwise balk (get "snippy") - AT ALL - I'd tell them that I'd like them to redo the job - PROPERLY, at no labor charge or 50% off the deal, at least, if not for free - in the name, or for the sake of, their good customer (PUBLIC) relations - while I observed.
2nd option - politely request that THEY pay for another, trusted ("competent") shop to do it, or 3rd, demand (POLITELY!) a refund and have it done elsewhere.
Best,
Glenn . . .
2nd option - politely request that THEY pay for another, trusted ("competent") shop to do it, or 3rd, demand (POLITELY!) a refund and have it done elsewhere.
Best,
Glenn . . .
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
A4LD Capacity
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Dec-02 AT 09:57 PM (EST)]Go by your dipstick reading before you remove the fluid. Unless you have a vacuum setup that drains it through the dipstick tube, you'll have to crack open the gasket seal on the pan. I've ran into troubles just trying to get the right amount out of the tranny and still get a good gasket seal afterwards.
Are you positive it said quarts? The auto transmission fluid requirements are usually in pints, even if you've had the torque converter fluid replaced. I'm thinking something around the lines of 4-5 PINTS is actually about right (which is 2-2 1/2 quarts if you aren't conversion handy) for just a simple pan fluid and filter change. I only see 4-5 QUARTS being used if they drain the converter. I don't think you actually can drain this converter unless you pull the whole tranny (not a simple task). I'm wondering what they really sold you.
-Kerry
Are you positive it said quarts? The auto transmission fluid requirements are usually in pints, even if you've had the torque converter fluid replaced. I'm thinking something around the lines of 4-5 PINTS is actually about right (which is 2-2 1/2 quarts if you aren't conversion handy) for just a simple pan fluid and filter change. I only see 4-5 QUARTS being used if they drain the converter. I don't think you actually can drain this converter unless you pull the whole tranny (not a simple task). I'm wondering what they really sold you.
-Kerry
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
A4LD Capacity
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Dec-02 AT 08:44 AM (EST)]An A4LD TOTAL capacity, including torque converter, is about 12 QUARTS, not pints.
I've never seen an automatic transmission capacity specified in pints. Manuals are often specified in pints, but automatics are always specified in quarts. And I've never seen a recent Ford automatic that held less than 11 quarts, not pints.
And you can change the fluid in the torque converter. I wrote an article that is in the Tech Articles section of this site that explains how to do it with a 4R70W or 4R100 transmission. It would be very similar for an A4LD.
I've never seen an automatic transmission capacity specified in pints. Manuals are often specified in pints, but automatics are always specified in quarts. And I've never seen a recent Ford automatic that held less than 11 quarts, not pints.
And you can change the fluid in the torque converter. I wrote an article that is in the Tech Articles section of this site that explains how to do it with a 4R70W or 4R100 transmission. It would be very similar for an A4LD.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Bothell, WA
A4LD Capacity
I pulled out the statement and it says "5 qts ATF". With the engine warm and idling in park the level on the dipstick is just a little above the top of the safe range. So I think I'll just leave it alone until I pull the pan again. Thanks for all the input!
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 886
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From: Cincinnati
A4LD Capacity
Total capacity is approximately 10 quarts. Larger coolers bump it up just a little. If you really work at it, you can get out a little over 4 quarts out. These transmissions can drain for weeks. More likely is that what he wrote down has little to do with what he did. Never heard of people charging by the quart. This is usually flat rate.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
A4LD Capacity
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Dec-02 AT 10:49 PM (EST)]Boy am I glad I never changed the tranny fluid in the Explorer myself
. Thanks for pointing me to your article Mark, I'll be needing to change the fluid in my truck in the next year...maybe I'll get rid of my 40mph shudder by changing out the fluid in the torque converter.
Was I dead wrong or what?
Edit: Actually after sitting here and thinking "what WAS I thinking?" I wish to apologize to Adam for the incorrect information. Had you taken my suggestion and questioned the business practices of the service shop, you would have done so with my bad info. That is poor judgement on my part to give you specs for a transmision that I know very little about (although I have owned a vehicle with one, as well). This site is not about answering off the top of one's head, just because it sounds right; it's about providing accurate information/good advice to help all. Lately I've found I have been doing a bad business of that. I'm sorry.:-X23
-Kerry
. Thanks for pointing me to your article Mark, I'll be needing to change the fluid in my truck in the next year...maybe I'll get rid of my 40mph shudder by changing out the fluid in the torque converter.Was I dead wrong or what?
Edit: Actually after sitting here and thinking "what WAS I thinking?" I wish to apologize to Adam for the incorrect information. Had you taken my suggestion and questioned the business practices of the service shop, you would have done so with my bad info. That is poor judgement on my part to give you specs for a transmision that I know very little about (although I have owned a vehicle with one, as well). This site is not about answering off the top of one's head, just because it sounds right; it's about providing accurate information/good advice to help all. Lately I've found I have been doing a bad business of that. I'm sorry.:-X23
-Kerry
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