My Mechanic Overfilled Transmission Fluid after Replacing Seals, Gaskets, etc Question

[Angry Possum]

I finally got my Ranger back from the mechanic. He replaced all the necessary seals, (torque converter seal, transmission pump seal, shift seal) gaskets etc and it's running fine with no leak. He also dropped the transmission pan and replaced the filter and gasket. *The transmission was removed from the truck when he did all these necessary repairs*

When I got home I checked the levels in park with truck running obviously, and noticed the fluid was filled way too much.
In questioning him, he stated that he had purposely overfilled the transmission fluid. He stated that the fluid needs to be overfilled for all the fluids to work it's way into the transmission etc and has to be driven at least 80 miles. Is this correct? Just asking the forum.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I've never heard of such a thing...

 

[Angry Possum]

I've never heard of such a thing...

Should I drain it? He said not too just yet and run it for at least 80 miles. He supposedly is a reputable mechanic, if I may add.

 

[Angry Possum]

Obviously all of the tranny fluid was removed from the transmission when he did the repairs.

 

[Angry Possum]

FWIW The transmission is actually running excellent.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Overfilling seems to be common with shops. After getting the ATF changed right after buying the Ranger, I got a cheap suction gizmo from Harbor Freight, placed its clear hose down the transmission dipstick tube, and got about a quart of excess ATF by filling the small reservoir on the gizmo 4 oz at a time. Doing this was easy and fast, but you simply had to repeat the process several times. Eventually I couldn't get any more out that way, but this put the fluid level when running right in the middle of the crosshatched area between Full and Add on the dipstick. Problem solved. The shifting noticeably improved.

Too much ATF can get past the seals, etc., that your mechanic just replaced. You wouldn't overfill your engine with oil. Overfilling a transmission is just as bad.

 

[Angry Possum]

Overfilling seems to be common with shops. After getting the ATF changed right after buying the Ranger, I got a cheap suction gizmo from Harbor Freight, placed its clear hose down the transmission dipstick tube, and got about a quart of excess ATF by filling the small reservoir on the gizmo 4 oz at a time. Doing this was easy and fast, but you simply had to repeat the process several times. Eventually I couldn't get any more out that way, but this put the fluid level when running right in the middle of the crosshatched area between Full and Add on the dipstick. Problem solved. The shifting noticeably improved.

Too much ATF can get past the seals, etc., that your mechanic just replaced. You wouldn't overfill your engine with oil. Overfilling a transmission is just as bad.

Thanks for the reply, I have that HF pump also, and yes I'm going to drain the excess fluid. Further, I spoke with several other mechanics a little while ago and they said that's hogwash, and to remove the excess fluid.

 

[cbxer55]

I myself overfilled mine once. Drove it that way for years. Never had a problem. But, it wasn't massively overfilled. Just a tad over the top of the hashed area when warm and running.

 

[sgtsandman]

A little over filled won't hurt anything but being only filled to the proper level is better. I can see the argument the mechanic is making to a point. If there is any trapped air in the system, it will eventually burp out and the level will drop. That being said, I've never heard of a practice of overfilling a transmission. You fill it to the proper level and top off as needed if the level goes down due to trapped air burping out. That is standard practice.

 

[cbxer55]

Generally the torque converter is not drained. So even when you do a filter and fluid change, the fluid in the converter remains the old stuff. But other than the converter, I fail to see where the fluid is going to full to account for the overfilling.

 

[sgtsandman]

Generally the torque converter is not drained. So even when you do a filter and fluid change, the fluid in the converter remains the old stuff. But other than the converter, I fail to see where the fluid is going to full to account for the overfilling.

I think angry possum got work done on the torque converter. So it is possible the entire system got emptied.

 

[Angry Possum]

The forum verdict is obvious. I'm draining it. The guy must be on meth or something.

 

[cbxer55]

Don't you wish the transmission pan had a drain fitting, like the oil pan?

On my Lightning, I replaced the stock pan with a 16 quart Mag-Hytec pan. It has a drain plug and a side plug for a temperature probe. Same with the differential cover, six quart Mag-hytec with drain and fill plugs, and a dipstick.

Next time I do my Ranger, maybe I'll look and see if there is an aftermarket pan for the 4R44. Going to do the differential cover here soon.

 

[Angry Possum]

Don't you wish the transmission pan had a drain fitting, like the oil pan?

On my Lightning, I replaced the stock pan with a 16 quart Mag-Hytec pan. It has a drain plug and a side plug for a temperature probe. Same with the differential cover, six quart Mag-hytec with drain and fill plugs, and a dipstick.

Next time I do my Ranger, maybe I'll look and see if there is an aftermarket pan for the 4R44. Going to do the differential cover here soon.

Yes, A friend of mine just mentioned this
He does this with all 3 of his cars. He said it's the easiest way to do the tranny fluid changes.

 

[sgtsandman]

Don't you wish the transmission pan had a drain fitting, like the oil pan?

On my Lightning, I replaced the stock pan with a 16 quart Mag-Hytec pan. It has a drain plug and a side plug for a temperature probe. Same with the differential cover, six quart Mag-hytec with drain and fill plugs, and a dipstick.

Next time I do my Ranger, maybe I'll look and see if there is an aftermarket pan for the 4R44. Going to do the differential cover here soon.

I did that on the 2019. I didn't like the idea of having a plastic transmission pan anyway. The drain plug was an added bonus and will make changing the fluid and filter so much easier. The plan is to get rear differential covers on both the 2011 and 2019 that have a drain plug as well. The front differential on the 2011 has already gotten a drain plug put in it and the 2019 already has a drain plug from the factory.