Quick Question on Tranny Fluid

[Daisywheels]

Since I removed the transmission and took it apart, it was bone dry of fluid. When mounted back on, I only put in 4 quarts of Mercon V. I thought that would be enough to at least test the tranny. Could it be the lack of fluid to cause the tranny not to engage at all? Ie., no gear selection will move the truck? It's like it is in neutral all the time. Appreciate ALL input - Thanks -DW

 

[1998Exp]

Since I removed the transmission and took it apart, it was bone dry of fluid. When mounted back on, I only put in 4 quarts of Mercon V. I thought that would be enough to at least test the tranny. Could it be the lack of fluid to cause the tranny not to engage at all? Ie., no gear selection will move the truck? It's like it is in neutral all the time. Appreciate ALL input - Thanks -DW

Your transmission should take about 9.5 quarts. Until you get somewhere near that (perhaps about 8) do not expect anything to happen. Hope you are aware that you should keep adding with the engine running for the pump to take it out of the pan, or it will all spill out the overfill tube.

 

[Daisywheels]

Thank you. Yes I do now. I just put enough fluid in (cold) till it reached the proper level on the dip stick. Whenever I started it up, it appears it was sucking it in which is good). Will add a quart a time while running. -DW

 

[koda2000]

Your transmission should take about 9.5 quarts. Until you get somewhere near that (perhaps about 8) do not expect anything to happen. Hope you are aware that you should keep adding with the engine running for the pump to take it out of the pan, or it will all spill out the overfill tube.

The SOHC trans (not including the torque converter) takes only 4.5 quarts. I don't think the SOHC torque even has a drain plug like the V8 trans. Did you install a new (dry) torque converter? If after running the engine and shifting through the gears you checked the dip stick and it reads in the proper range, you don't need any more fluid.

 

[Daisywheels]

Koda. I remember you, you have helped me before MY tranny is the
5R55E All info says it takes ~10 quarts. The TC can't take more than 1 quart itself, and yes, when I ran the motor, it kept sucking in more tranny fluid. The dipstick is dry now after adding 4 quarts. You are right, there is no drain plug. One must loosen the rear pan pan bolts and then drain it that way. It is showing bone dry after adding 4 quarts. If you are looking at the capacity from Haynes, that is WRONG, for others reference. Thanks! -DW

 

[koda2000]

Koda. I remember you, you have helped me before MY tranny is the
5R55E All info says it takes ~10 quarts. The TC can't take more than 1 quart itself, and yes, when I ran the motor, it kept sucking in more tranny fluid. The dipstick is dry now after adding 4 quarts. You are right, there is no drain plug. One must loosen the rear pan pan bolts and then drain it that way. It is showing bone dry after adding 4 quarts. If you are looking at the capacity from Haynes, that is WRONG, for others reference. Thanks! -DW

I have that same transmission as yours in my '01 ST. I dropped the trans pan last fall and 4.5 quarts drained out. I had checked the fluid level before I drained it and it was where it should have been on the dip stick. After replacing the filter I put in 4.5 quarts of fresh Mercon V and, of course, the fluid level measured as correct afterwards. I don't know how much the Ford TC holds, but on TH350 GM TC's I've put in at least 2 quarts into an empty TC. I don't see how/where the 5R55E can require 10 quarts. I believe the V8 trans and TC (which can be drained) only takes only 8.5 quarts.

I'm going to do some Googling and see what I find on the internet. Maybe it takes 9-10 quarts with an empty TC and trans... ?

When I said "it has no drain plug" I was talking about the TC, not the trans pan. I added a drain plug to my trans pan for less messy fluid draining in the future. The TC must hold around 4-5 quarts of fluid. On a new TC you're supposed to put in a couple of quarts to get if going initially, then the trans pump will fill it the rest of the way. Did you install a new TC or just try to add fluid to your old one?

Ultimately after running the engine for a few minutes the fluid level on your trans dip stick is the indication of whether you have the correct quantity of fluid in the trans. Too much is as bad as to little.

 

[Daisywheels]

(4x2 vehicles with 5R55E MERCON௡ V ATF. and 4.0L V6 engines)2 Automatic transmission fluid 9.8L (10.3 quarts). Use Motorcraft capacity (4x4 vehicles with 5R55E MERCON௡ V ATF. and 4.0L V6 engines)

Just another source: 10.3 seems to be the common capacity.

https://www.manualowl.com/am/Ford/1999-Explorer/Manual/1772?page=263

 

[koda2000]

(4x2 vehicles with 5R55E MERCON௡ V ATF. and 4.0L V6 engines)2 Automatic transmission fluid 9.8L (10.3 quarts). Use Motorcraft capacity (4x4 vehicles with 5R55E MERCON௡ V ATF. and 4.0L V6 engines)

Just another source: 10.3 seems to be the common capacity.

https://www.manualowl.com/am/Ford/1999-Explorer/Manual/1772?page=263

That quantity includes the TC. Did you replace the TC with a new one or not?

 

[Daisywheels]

Yes, but I took apart the transmission, and inspected the TC. I really don't think it holds more than a quart. But it appears we are in agreement. Good news! -DW

 

[transman304]

It will be around 9-11 quarts. Did you flush the cooler and lines?

 

[Daisywheels]

NO. I did not. I can't even begin to tell you how many problems this truck gave me when doing an engine Swap. Did I do the timing chains replacements NO. Why? I didn't want to. Am I keeping the truck? I might. I only use 1,000 miles per year. Should I have done the above work? YES! It is worth 1,000 more moving than it was stuck in my driveway.

 

[koda2000]

Everything I read on the internet says around 10 quarts with everything bone dry (trans, TC, lines, cooler). If that's where you're starting from the the answer is 10 quarts. From the chart below, even the tiniest TC holds 2 quarts.

CONVERTER FLUID CAPACITY
Size of Converter # of Quarts
13" 5
12" 4
11" 3.5
10" 3
9" 2.5
8" 2
7" 2

 

[Daisywheels]

Thanks Koda! I am surprised the TC hold that much. But who am I to say different? Many thanks! - Will buy 4 more quarts + 2 just to be safe early this AM. I'm on West coast time. -
DW