[THafeez12]

Hello everyone, I'm new here so I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong forum.
Car: 2004 Solara 2AZFE with Auto transmission

I used a manual pump to get about 5.25 quarts out of the transmission today. Cold fluid in the transmission and the new fluid was cold too. I put in 5.25 quarts and drove around. After checking the dipstick it was reading an inch over the upper hot notch.

I thought I had added too much so I quickly pumped out 1 quart. I drove around and the dipstick was still giving me the same reading. I've checked over thirty times throughout the day with the engine hot and cold.

I made sure to cycle the transmission as well before checking..

When I drove it the first time with 5.25 quarts added everything was smooth
after taking 1 qt out, it made some 1st gear low whining which went away after I added about .25 qt.

So now the tranny has 4.5 qts added and still the dipstick isnt giving me a good reading.
What gives??
I can add photos if anyone needs them.

 

[71Corolla]

Is the engine running when you're checking the level?

 

[THafeez12]

Yes it is. First time i checked it, I did the service manual way. Turned engine on, on level ground. Went through all the gears. Cleaned the dipstick and took a reading. came up way too high. I thought that since I took out 5.25 qts I could add that amount back immediately without checking the dipstick at 1qt intervals. Was this a bad idea? I have more fluid so I can pump it out again. I just don't know if it'll fix anything if I'm constantly getting bad readings.

 

[71Corolla]

Maybe you didn't wait long enough it takes time for the fluid to drain away from the dipstick tube.

 

[THafeez12]

Maybe you didn't wait long enough it takes time for the fluid to drain away from the dipstick tube.

Okay, so how long should I leave the car running before checking? I drove the car around today for about an hour and checked after and still it did not help. The fluid ends above the hot mark.

 

[THafeez12]

here are some photos. First two are cold readings. Last two are 2 hot readings after about 20 minutes of driving. Car was sitting overnight when I took the cold readings. It was at idle and I cycled all the gears before taking the hot readings. Please help me out.

cold 1

cold 2

hot 1

hot 2

hot 2 wider shot

 

[Donald E George]

I have to say that getting an accurate AT fluid level is a PITA. I measured the quantity of ATF the first time I did the drain and it was four quarts. If I check the ATF right now in my U151 five-speed, the level will be above the top "hot" notch. Run the vehicle at moderate in-town speeds and hot mark will be around the first "hot" notch. I know the AT is not overfilled because I check level after a long highway run and level is still around the hot notches and fluid shows no signs a aeration . Beat the #@** out of me.

 

[THafeez12]

Okay I will check after a highway run. Thanks. Can you tell anything from the photos I added?

 

[Greasymechtech]

ATF TEMP LINK

Vehicle also needs to be running and on a level surface. Should cycle the shifter thru all gears prior to checking level in park with all loads/accessories off.

Need to be at the correct temp for a hot level check otherwise its a shot in the dark.

 

[mcgowaw]

+1 on ^.
also, i'll add that i turn the stick over to the unmarked side to verify the skips, areas where there's no fluid. it's one of the hardest sticks to read in your car, so look closely at it and keep it level when you pull it out - as horizontal as you can cause the fluid runs if the stick is inclined at an angle. and be careful putting it in too so you don't slosh fluid against it that can cause a false reading.
tony