Brand new 5R55E fluid level query

[ChequeredRoof]

I have just installed a brand new 2005 4.0L V6 engine (Ranger spec) and 5R55E gearbox in a special vehicle. The transmission oil level is only just touching the bottom of the dipstick, and having fitted the fluid cooler lines to the radiator (which obviously have no fluid in them yet) I am concerned that the level will become dangerously low when I start up for the first time. The Ranger Owners Manual 2005 says “Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid level is at or below the bottom of the dipstick” (which it is). However, it also says “DO NOT ADD fluid until the transmission is at normal operating temperatures or the transmission will be overfilled”. Is this just to stop you filling up into the crosshatched area when cold (and therefore overfilling) or is there some other reason?

Could one of you good folks with a 5R55E transmission check where your fluid level comes to when COLD? There are two holes on the dipstick, one at the bottom of the crosshatch area and one below it. Do these have anything to do with indicating where the fluid level should be when cold?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[03ranger4x4]

i didnt go and check my fluid, but to my best knowledge you should add atleast some fluid. add enough to get it near the normal zone, then check and add some once it gets warm. The fluid always is less when its running, then when its parked....so its a pretty safe bet to say, if its near the end of the stick not running, then its not even going to read on the stick when it is running.

 

[97fordrunner]

x2 especially if it has to fill the lines and cooler. I would get it up to the bottom the mark at least and then start it and were where it is at.

 

[ChequeredRoof]

Thank you both for your helpful replies.

If the level is always less when it is running, and the lines and cooler still need to be filled as well, wouldn't it be safer to fill to the top of the cross hatched area rather than the bottom? I'd prefer to play on the safe side.

I would be very grateful if someone could check their COLD fluid level, as I am guessing this would give me the best starting point. Many thanks.

 

[Earl43P]

I've checked the girl's 99 Explorer 4.0 ATF level, cold, not having run since the day before MANY times.

It's always in the low-mid range. I top it off to Full and forget about it. Her brother called me one day asking how to check it. Since it was hot, I had him do it in Park, running. He said it was low, added a quart. Sounds exactly like when I check it cold.

If hers gets too low, she knows it because it is slow to engage. Sure, I could get the leak fixed (no idea where it's going, no puddles), but for a JY rescued car, adding ATF is a cheap alternative (plus it's in WV). It takes about a month of her driving to get low enough to affect the engagement. I know for a fact that she just adds one quart and carries on, oblivious to a proper level.

I don't think it's as critical as people make it out to be. Sounds like yours "needs a quart".

 

[ChequeredRoof]

Thanks Earl43P. Based on what I've heard so far, I'll fill it to about three quarters up the crosshatch area, as I know for sure the lines and cooler are empty, and then see how it goes from there. Anyone think this is a good / bad plan?

 

[Andres629]

That's a good plan. When I did a tranny flush, I flushed the cooler and cooler lines as well. When I filled up the trans again, I filled it right to the top of the crosshatched area knowing full well that a LOT of it would go to the cooler/lines. Don't worry about yours being overfilled; the excess will simply be received by the cooler.