Tranny oil too high???

[redgtxdi]

OK, per my previous thread, I completed my radiator swap. Didn't think much of it at the time, but I just did a quick, splash of trans oil (didn't lose much from pulling the trans cooler lines) and probably not even as much as I lost but I figured close enough & I could always fill more.

Radiator will probably need a little more coolant (which makes sense) but my trans oil level is about a good FULL INCH above the full even on the "hot" marks. I had my car worked on a couple of years ago where they dropped the trans pan, cleaned, flushed & filled the system. I assumed they did it right and hadn't noticed even the slightest bit of weirdness in my trans, but could that sucker have truly been that over full for this long??

I dunno....just seeems weird. Maybe the trans cooler path on the new radiator is shorter distance than the OEM or something?? (It was a Koyo)

(shrug) TIA

[uibalnme]

Did you check the level while the engine was running? That's the proper way to check the trans fluid level.

[hill8570]

I'd say the measurement is suspect -- that large of an overfill is going to cause significant shifting problems from all the foaming.

[bdy0003]

Not to mention the splatters of tranny fluid all over your engine bay.

Originally Posted by hill8570

I'd say the measurement is suspect -- that large of an overfill is going to cause significant shifting problems from all the foaming.

[redgtxdi]

No, I hadn't checked the level w/ engine running...............and I'm not seeing either of those conditions things on the stick or engine bay. (Oil looks nice & red w/ no signs of foaming/bubbling or anything of the sort & bay is clean)

Maybe (well, probably?) I'm just an idiot & should be checking oil level w/ engine running only?!?!


(Ya' see back in my VW drag days we simply filled the trans 'til it came outta' the side hole. A little spillage = perfect. This "hot" / "cold" crap is too complicated for us simple folk)

[uibalnme]

You have to check the level while the engine is running. That's the only way to get a proper reading.

[redgtxdi]

OK, I'll put on my big boy pants & etch that sh!t into my memory.

Now......to pick out a good lookin' idiot font for my new tat!!

[JohnGD]

Koyo is a decent radiator.

It's best to warm the engine/transmission to normal operating temperature by driving. Then on level ground, after slowly shifting through all the gears and finally placed in Park with parking brake applied, the fluid level should be between the HOT marks. The COLD marks are only for quick reference. I wouldn't trust it for more accurate measurement.

With Hondas I think you check with engine off.

Newer transmissions are more like the VW check method. Except now you have to warm the ATF to within a temperature range and shift through the gears, waiting 3-5 seconds in each, to fill all circuits. Today's LePelletier are picky about ATF level. But those ZF Friedrichshafen transmissions are great and so are the new GM 6 speed Hydramatics.

Originally Posted by redgtxdi

OK, per my previous thread, I completed my radiator swap. Didn't think much of it at the time, but I just did a quick, splash of trans oil (didn't lose much from pulling the trans cooler lines) and probably not even as much as I lost but I figured close enough & I could always fill more.

Radiator will probably need a little more coolant (which makes sense) but my trans oil level is about a good FULL INCH above the full even on the "hot" marks. I had my car worked on a couple of years ago where they dropped the trans pan, cleaned, flushed & filled the system. I assumed they did it right and hadn't noticed even the slightest bit of weirdness in my trans, but could that sucker have truly been that over full for this long??

I dunno....just seeems weird. Maybe the trans cooler path on the new radiator is shorter distance than the OEM or something?? (It was a Koyo)

(shrug) TIA