Does that mean the previous owner massively overfilled the transmission fluid?

[2004mountaineers]

I thought I was going to top-off the transmission fluid.
I just ran it through the gears, turned the engine off, and removed the torx-30 plug
and fluid came gushing out, filling about a fifth of a drain-pan in a matter of just about 10seconds.
Does that mean the previous owner massively overfilled the transmission fluid?
edit: The insert did not come out of course, just the torx-30 plug.


2004 Mercury Mountaineer, v6, 4liter, awd, not flex-fuel, previous owner removed front drive shaft for unknown reasons.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Is it supposed to be running so it’s not all sitting in the pan?

 

[2004mountaineers]

Is it supposed to be running so it’s not all sitting in the pan?

I am not sure. maybe. should I do it again with engine still running ?
edit: I tried it again with the engine running, using a standard quart-pump-bottle.
It made a difference; it wasn't pouring out; in fact it looked like I needed to add some.
That would have worked out fine but the quart-pump bottle from Oreillys -- the tube
kept popping off of the pump-stem over and over. will have to rig something else up
to keep the connections from popping off....
That's kind of funny because that same pump bottle worked fine for topping off my
transfer case on another vehicle.

 

[2004mountaineers]

I am not sure. maybe. should I do it again with engine still running ?
edit: I tried it again with the engine running, using a standard quart-pump attachment.
It made a difference; it wasn't pouring out; in fact it looked like I needed to add some.
That would have worked out fine but the quart-pump from Oreillys -- the tube
kept popping off of the pump-stem over and over. will have to rig something else up
to keep the connections from popping off....
That's kind of funny because that same pump bottle worked fine for topping off my
transfer case on another vehicle.

Any hints about some sort of clamp to keep the hoses on their stems is welcome.

 

[2004mountaineers]

Is it supposed to be running so it’s not all sitting in the pan?

Is that fluid going to be hot enough to burn skin? (I will have to put my arm under there while the hot fluid is draining out of the plug hole.)

 

[Bazz270]

I thought I was going to top-off the transmission fluid.
I just ran it through the gears, turned the engine off, and removed the torx-30 plug
and fluid came gushing out, filling about a fifth of a drain-pan in a matter of just about 10seconds.
Does that mean the previous owner massively overfilled the transmission fluid?
edit: The insert did not come out of course, just the torx-30 plug.


2004 Mercury Mountaineer, v6, 4liter, awd, not flex-fuel, previous owner removed front drive shaft for unknown reasons.

Transmission supposed to be hot (approx at engine temp.) Engine on.

Take caution since the trans oil at working temperature able to burn your skin badly.

Anyways,if you are not a professional mechanic,read workshop manual first or u will cause damage to the car and to yourself.

Dont try to check the transmission oil level on cold engine.

 

[2004mountaineers]

Transmission supposed to be hot (approx at engine temp.) Engine on.

Take caution since the trans oil at working temperature able to burn your skin badly.

Anyways,if you are not a professional mechanic,read workshop manual first or u will cause damage to the car and to yourself.

Dont try to check the transmission oil level on cold engine.

What protective gear do you put on your hand/arm to enable you to put the plug back in while the hot transmission fluid is still slurping down ?

 

[Mr Mumbles]

I thought I was going to top-off the transmission fluid.
I just ran it through the gears, turned the engine off, and removed the torx-30 plug
and fluid came gushing out, filling about a fifth of a drain-pan in a matter of just about 10seconds.
Does that mean the previous owner massively overfilled the transmission fluid?
edit: The insert did not come out of course, just the torx-30 plug.


2004 Mercury Mountaineer, v6, 4liter, awd, not flex-fuel, previous owner removed front drive shaft for unknown reasons.

Automatic transmission fluid level is checked with the transmission warm and in park and the engine running. Checking it with the engine off allows the fluid to drain back into the pan giving a false overfull reading. Now you have to get an equal amount of fresh fluid to which drained out back in there before you can check it. It might also be a good time to drain the rest and clean the pan and replace the filter while you're under there.

 

[Bazz270]

What protective gear do you put on your hand/arm to enable you to put the plug back in while the hot transmission fluid is still slurping down ?

Mine located near the hot exhaust piping so welding gloves worked for me well

 

[2004mountaineers]

Mine located near the hot exhaust piping so welding gloves worked for me well

gonna try that. although I was mostly concerned about the hot transm-fluid. (If I can be careful, I can avoid
touching the pipes, but not the fluid.....)
Amazon product ASIN B09WGVGVW5

 

[CallMeSyd]

Rubber dishwashing gloves, the kind that come like half way up your arm. And cable ties hold the hose on pretty well. Just make sure the hose and stem don't have fluid between them cause obviously any lubricant will cause the hose to slip. I use a siphon pump.

 

[2004mountaineers]

Well I got the fluid-level back to normal.
My pump bottle must be hosed (no pun meant) because it will only pump when the quart-bottle is at least 3/4 full.
Took forever....

 

[NewFordExOowner]

Someone linked this prior indicating there is a fill on the side of the transmission where you could pull the torx and fill until it runs out. Not hard if it is easy to reach. Ford 5R55N transmission

 

[Mr Mumbles]

I thought I was going to top-off the transmission fluid.
I just ran it through the gears, turned the engine off, and removed the torx-30 plug
and fluid came gushing out, filling about a fifth of a drain-pan in a matter of just about 10seconds.
Does that mean the previous owner massively overfilled the transmission fluid?
edit: The insert did not come out of course, just the torx-30 plug.


2004 Mercury Mountaineer, v6, 4liter, awd, not flex-fuel, previous owner removed front drive shaft for unknown reasons.

You should read the service manual first. The Torx bolt gets removed with the engine running. The vehicle must also be level to check the fluid level.

 

[2004mountaineers]

This is a very old thread...

 

[NewFordExOowner]

You should read the service manual first. The Torx bolt gets removed with the engine running. The vehicle must also be level to check the fluid level.

I stopped by the lube shop my wife has been using for the 2005 explorer and asked them to check the transmission fluid level. The technician says, "There is no dipstick". I said, "Yes, I know, you have to pull the torx from the plug."
But I did not know then that the vehicle must be running.
Neither did the technician.
Does not inspire confidence.