Removing an excess quart of ATF

[JucenBrudi]

Hi Gang,

I'm trying to finish off my first ATF change and have managed to put in about a quart too much. Is there a way to remove a quart through the filler tube? I've been searching online for pumps, siphons, fluid transfer pumps, etc. but am not confident I've identified what I need: something effective, simple, and inexpensive.

Would there be any problem with "reusing" (I've not used it yet!) the fluid I remove so I can top off as needed while traveling?

Thanks,
Bruce

[Clonetrooper]

Probably good idea to get extra fluid out. There are kits that make it possible to change car engine by sucking thru tube. Maybe JC Whitney or auto zone.? ATF is thinner than oil so should work if you can get one with tube that is long enough.I know the stick on mine is over 3' long. Should be ok to reuse atf as long as pump and bottle are clean and dry.
KC

[JucenBrudi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clonetrooper Maybe JC Whitney or auto zone.? KC

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think of JC Whitney; good suggestion. I'll try Auto Zone tomorrow.

Bruce

[dsbike]

You may check with a quick oil change shop. They use these pumps to change the ATF on cars. They may have a hose long enough to siphon out the excess fluid, and will most likely cost less than buying a siphon pump. This may be a stupid question, but as a mechanic I must ask, ARE YOU POSITIVE you added too much fluid? Did you warmup the tranny to operating temps before confirming too much ATF? Did you shift the tranny through all the gears several times to confirm? If you can answer yes to all of these questions & it is still over serviced, get it removed. If not, it is very possible to blow a seal and start leaking fluid. I would not drive it very far like this, but a couple (as in 2-5 easy miles) to get it sucked out should be ok. Also if you can answer yes to these questions then the oil has mixed with the fluid that did not drain. I would discard the oil removed.

[Chuck 1935]

Just go underneath with a pot and carefully remove the drain plug and drain out the required amount. You don't have to let the drain plug drop out. It's easy to control if you back it out to the ends of the threads.

[JucenBrudi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsbike This may be a stupid question, but as a mechanic I must ask, ARE YOU POSITIVE you added too much fluid? Did you warmup the tranny to operating temps before confirming too much ATF? Did you shift the tranny through all the gears several times to confirm?

Thanks for the reply. Nothing stupid about the question . I need all the help I can get. I got myself into this situation because I'm a novice at changing ATF. I've changed the engine oil for years, but this was my first time changing the ATF. At this point I'm not positive about much of it at all.

After adding the new fluid I tried to do a cold check. I was following Allison instructions:
1) warm the engine for at least one minute,
2) run through gears, D, N, R, then P,
3) check the level.

That led to wildly varying readings, but usually well below the cold range so I added fluid to raise the level.

I think I wasn't warming the engine enough; 4-6 minutes seems to have stabilized my readings, but the level is now high, that is, above the top of the Cold range. I've avoided taking it out on the road to reach operating temperature because I simply had no confidence in the levels I was reading.

Another angle on the level. I had drained off just about exactly the 10.6 quarts the manual says I would. I replaced 10 quarts with the aim of topping off as indicated by cold checks (to be followed by a hot check). For the reasons I mentioned above, I have added a full 12 quarts and think I have over done it.

Thanks for you help. I'm sure I'll get it straightened out. Unfortunately, I'm running late in our plans to travel!
Bruce

[JucenBrudi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935 Just go underneath with a pot and carefully remove the drain plug and drain out the required amount. You don't have to let the drain plug drop out. It's easy to control if you back it out to the ends of the threads.

That is encouraging. Thank you.

I've been thinking that if I draw it off through the filler tube I can reuse it (it is new fluid, $10 a quart). Drawing from the drain plug might not be so clean, although I certainly can clean the area very well. Fortunately, I got another gallon so I think I'm covered which ever way it goes.

First time projects have a way of getting complicated.

Bruce

[Lt46]

I did the same, added a bit too much fluid. I removed the over amount by undoing the rubber line to the aux. cooler. Very simple process, 1/4" socket on the radiator type clamp and pulled the line off the cooler. Stuck the hose into an empty qt. ATF bottle and started the engine. Pumped out the desired amount,shutoff engine and reconnected the rubber line. Easy and relatively clean.

[GaryKD]

Hi Bruce,
The only step omitted was to get the tranny up to operating temp before checking the fluid level. Best I can tell this was not done. Like it or not, the tranny really needs to be a operating temp before checking the fluid level. My Allison will not even give me a reading until the tranny is at operating temp.

[Clonetrooper]

I read on another post, not sure the name, you can use the tranny self check by pressing the up down arrows on shift panel for a few seconds. Will count down and then give fluid level, LO 3 for example. I checked stick on my tranny OK, then did self check, said I was 3 qts low.??? Self check said to be more reliable than stick. Might check this out before you go draining fluid out. Will try and get better info and post here.
KC

[motohomer]

Just unscrew, pour out, then return the spin on filter.

[JucenBrudi]

Good morning Gang,

The replies to my several recent threads have been very helpful, it turns out. I've been busy in, around, and under the motorhome, but now have some time to catch up a bit here.

I finally found the device to pull fluid through the ATF filler tube; but it didn't work out. First, I searched and searched and never found what I thought I needed. I didn't know what they are called. I went to Auto Zone and quickly found a Suction Gun. It was about $12 and is well constructed. It came with about a foot of tubing so I went to Lowes Hardware and bought 8 feet, long enough to reach down into the fluid as judged by the dip stick.

I tested the gun with jugs of the old fluid and it worked great. Then I put it down the filler tube but could withdraw nothing. After several attempts I gave up, concluding that the tube must narrow at the bottom allowing the dipstick, but not the half inch tubing, to reach the fluid. Maybe a connecting very small tubing would do the job. I haven't tested that out.

I then used the suggestion by Chuck 1935 to simply drain carefully at the pan. I cleaned very well all around and drained off about 1.75 quarts. I got the levels right verified by multiple hot checks. All is well now and I have successfully completed my first ATF change and the first step to converting to synthetic fluid.

Thank you for all the help,
Bruce

[dsbike]

Thanks for the follow up. Glad all worked out well for you. You may find that you use that siphon pump more that you thought you would. I bought one & have used it to drain & refill an axel at the service port on the pumpkin. I also use it to service the standard tranny on my MGB.

I think it is great when people do thier own maint & are concerned with doing right. Good Job!!!