Transmission fluid - Drain/Fill - Fun

[Richard2212]

I think you mean transmission, right? The PTU and RDU both hold less than a quart of fluid.

I think you mean transmission, right? The PTU and RDU both hold less than a quart of fluid.

Yes - Transmission not PTU!!!

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[Defconxzero]

I'm a bit concerned, and so confused;

2024 2.0 EB AWD 4K; 20k Miles, I decided to do the trans fluid as commonly recommended.

Consensus seems to be 4.5Qts but i had a different experience I wonder if this is a problem;

Drained the fluid and out with the fluid came a small triangular scrap of metal, about the size of half of a pea. absolutely impossible to determine what it was as it was clearly sheared off in every angle, almost looked like a grinder was used on it or it was cutoff scrap from someone cutting something with a grinder. fluid like red chocolate milk.

Filled to 5Qts, then drove around the block a bit to reheat temps as recommended.

Made sure the truck was level, and Removed the leveling plug and out spilled a good amount into the pan that still had the old fluid in it. when i went to drain all of the fluid from the pan into the now empty bottles, it overfilled all of them so i wound up with probably about 5.25-5.5Qts of dirty fluid. Im very confused on this, i guess this means the factory had this overfilled by about 0.25-0.5 qts?

i wasnt exactly super careful on the transmission temp while doing this but i cant imagine the fluid expands/contracts that much to mess me up? but i did the fill plug so i figure the right amount should be in there...

and that scrap metal is a bit worrying... but i have never had any transmission or shift issues or weird sounds..

any thoughts?

 

[Nw_adventure]

I'm a bit concerned, and so confused;

2024 2.0 EB AWD 4K; 20k Miles, I decided to do the trans fluid as commonly recommended.

Consensus seems to be 4.5Qts but i had a different experience I wonder if this is a problem;

Drained the fluid and out with the fluid came a small triangular scrap of metal, about the size of half of a pea. absolutely impossible to determine what it was as it was clearly sheared off in every angle, almost looked like a grinder was used on it or it was cutoff scrap from someone cutting something with a grinder. fluid like red chocolate milk.

Filled to 5Qts, then drove around the block a bit to reheat temps as recommended.

Made sure the truck was level, and Removed the leveling plug and out spilled a good amount into the pan that still had the old fluid in it. when i went to drain all of the fluid from the pan into the now empty bottles, it overfilled all of them so i wound up with probably about 5.25-5.5Qts of dirty fluid. Im very confused on this, i guess this means the factory had this overfilled by about 0.25-0.5 qts?

i wasnt exactly super careful on the transmission temp while doing this but i cant imagine the fluid expands/contracts that much to mess me up? but i did the fill plug so i figure the right amount should be in there...

and that scrap metal is a bit worrying... but i have never had any transmission or shift issues or weird sounds..

any thoughts?

Got a pick of that scrap metal ? So after filling mine with 5 QTs after only getting 4.5 out- I went back and drained out 10 ounces to be on the safe side- It seems like the the transmission system is designed to maintain 4.5 quarts but that is just a guess. I don't know what exact condition makes the vent tube "burp" which releases fluid but mine did a few times after the course of 24k fun miles -

 

[Richard2212]

I'm a bit concerned, and so confused;

2024 2.0 EB AWD 4K; 20k Miles, I decided to do the trans fluid as commonly recommended.

Consensus seems to be 4.5Qts but i had a different experience I wonder if this is a problem;

Drained the fluid and out with the fluid came a small triangular scrap of metal, about the size of half of a pea. absolutely impossible to determine what it was as it was clearly sheared off in every angle, almost looked like a grinder was used on it or it was cutoff scrap from someone cutting something with a grinder. fluid like red chocolate milk.

Filled to 5Qts, then drove around the block a bit to reheat temps as recommended.

Made sure the truck was level, and Removed the leveling plug and out spilled a good amount into the pan that still had the old fluid in it. when i went to drain all of the fluid from the pan into the now empty bottles, it overfilled all of them so i wound up with probably about 5.25-5.5Qts of dirty fluid. Im very confused on this, i guess this means the factory had this overfilled by about 0.25-0.5 qts?

i wasnt exactly super careful on the transmission temp while doing this but i cant imagine the fluid expands/contracts that much to mess me up? but i did the fill plug so i figure the right amount should be in there...

and that scrap metal is a bit worrying... but i have never had any transmission or shift issues or weird sounds..

any thoughts?

The Fluid fill amounts are based on normal room temperatures - say 70 degrees F. 4.5 qts is the correct Drain and add amount. If you opened the level checking plug after warm up you have done it correctly. The next time your drain the PTU catch the Fluid in clean container and measured it - it should be 4.5 qts. at 70 degrees F. Can you Post a picture of the metal piece -someone may recognize it - hopefully not a piece of a Bearing Cage!!!

 

[Defconxzero]

Got a pick of that scrap metal ? So after filling mine with 5 QTs after only getting 4.5 out- I went back and drained out 10 ounces to be on the safe side- It seems like the the transmission system is designed to maintain 4.5 quarts but that is just a guess. I don't know what exact condition makes the vent tube "burp" which releases fluid but mine did a few times after the course of 24k fun miles -

Unfortunately no pic. I put it aside to do just that then couldn’t find it during clean up.

 

[Richard2212]

Unfortunately no pic. I put it aside to do just that then couldn’t find it during clean up.

Burping could be from overfill and expansion of the Fluid as Temperature rises.

 

[Defconxzero]

The Fluid fill amounts are based on normal room temperatures - say 70 degrees F. 4.5 qts is the correct Drain and add amount. If you opened the level checking plug after warm up you have done it correctly. The next time your drain the PTU catch the Fluid in clean container and measured it - it should be 4.5 qts. at 70 degrees F. Can you Post a picture of the metal piece -someone may recognize it - hopefully not a piece of a Bearing Cage!!!

Room temp? I thought the temperature conditions indicated are 185-200F for the internal operating temp of the transmission and it’s fluid, irrespective of the room temperature, since the transmission fluid itself has a non-zero thermal expansion coefficient

 

[Richard2212]

Room temp? I thought the temperature conditions indicated are 185-200F for the internal operating temp of the transmission and it’s fluid, irrespective of the room temperature, since the transmission fluid itself has a non-zero thermal expansion coefficient

Why do think Ford Engineers say to bring Fluid up to operating temperature to check level? Think Automatics with a DipStick? Transmission Fluid expand in volume with increasing Temperature - That's from a Former Ford Transmission Engineer - ME!

 

[Defconxzero]

My point exactly; what I’m saying is I don’t think it says anywhere to make sure it’s room temp…

 

[Richard2212]

My point exactly; what I’m saying is I don’t think it says anywhere to make sure it’s room temp…

When you buy a quart of Transmission Fluid you buy it at room Temperatures. Capacities are stated at normal shelf and handling temps.

 

[Defconxzero]

When you buy a quart of Transmission Fluid you buy it at room Temperatures. Capacities are stated at normal shelf and handling temps.

Okay, I guess my confusion comes in somewhere here because doesn’t the “capacity” or (amount that goes in) change based on the fluid heating up to operating temp? Like otherwise why would they have you make sure the trans and it’s fluid are at 190F? Otherwise wouldn’t they just say you can do this whole fluid change at room temp and it takes “X” capacity

 

[Carlitos_92]

Okay, I guess my confusion comes in somewhere here because doesn’t the “capacity” or (amount that goes in) change based on the fluid heating up to operating temp? Like otherwise why would they have you make sure the trans and it’s fluid are at 190F? Otherwise wouldn’t they just say you can do this whole fluid change at room temp and it takes “X” capacity

You are correct. No one cares how many quarts are in a quart bottle at room temp.

All that matters is that the engine is running, the transmission fluid is at OPERATING temp, and that the transmission is full enough to the point that it weeps excess out the hole on the side. How much each of us put in will vary, and I wouldn’t get hung up on a half-quart here or there.

The engine was running when you opened the fill level bolt, correct?

The metal piece could be a lot of things, but it’s good that it’s out.

 

[Richard2212]

Okay, I guess my confusion comes in somewhere here because doesn’t the “capacity” or (amount that goes in) change based on the fluid heating up to operating temp? Like otherwise why would they have you make sure the trans and it’s fluid are at 190F? Otherwise wouldn’t they just say you can do this whole fluid change at room temp and it takes “X” capacity

There is a fixed amount of Fluid to fill the Transmission from a totally empty condition. When we drain we don't get Fluid from the Converter, Valve Body or cavities. The consensus from many owners is drain and put back 4-1/2 quarts.

 

[Defconxzero]

You are correct. No one cares how many quarts are in a quart bottle at room temp.

All that matters is that the engine is running, the transmission fluid is at OPERATING temp, and that the transmission is full enough to the point that it weeps excess out the hole on the side. How much each of us put in will vary, and I wouldn’t get hung up on a half-quart here or there.

The engine was running when you opened the fill level bolt, correct?

The metal piece could be a lot of things, but it’s good that it’s out.

so I actually didn’t do it with the engine running which was definitely the issue. I went back and checked today and had to add some more with the engine running. But it wasn’t room temp so maybe my car will explode

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