Tranny fluid capacity!! Help..

[philo_beddoe]

Just did a tranny tune up, first time. THM 400, about 8.5 pints came out, checked it while it was warm BEFORE the tune up and barely had a reading. Just put 8 new pints in and barely have a reading. Is this right? Should I keep adding a little at a time?   The service manual and Chilton's calls for 7.5 pints.  Can someone make some sense of this??

I know like 22 pints is FULL capacity, is it possible more than the "tune up" amount came out??  Thanks,,

PS. Looks like the factory pan and dip stick.

[outlaw70nova]

If it's not pouring out on the floor just keep adding until it's full.

[philo_beddoe]

Huh...that's what the turbo hydramatic engineer said when I called the GM factory. Thanks!

[Dr_Snooz]

That's what I did with mine too. LOL. The manual specs 4 qts for a filter service and when I got to like 6 or 7 I was getting nervous. I kept filling and looking under the truck and eventually it came out right.

[Irish_Alley]

something else to think about is the length of the dipstick tube and the dipstick itself. someone could of switched them out for the wrong transmission

[philo_beddoe]

Dipstick tube is correct.  But get this, some guy posted on a chevelle forum the same issue.  He ended up putting in 7.5 qts.  I just put in another quart totalling 6, and am now getting a reading. I'm at the "add" level.  So,,,,i guess one more quart should be perfect. Plus i let drain for a couple hours anyway.  I guess we're just nervous about overfilling. Not having a drain plug and all. Why no drain plug, like the oilpan??

[philo_beddoe]

Yup, same thing here dr snooz.  1 more qt will be 7.

[Irish_Alley]

cause trans fluid is supposed to last the lifetime of the trans 100k miles? the engine oil need to be changed more often and the filter is external. so in order to change the trans filter you have to drop the pan and this drains the fluid. from what i understand temp/heavy use is what kills the fluid and this intern kills the clutches.
but then again differentials dont have drain plugs either

[philo_beddoe]

Yes sir. You are correct.   

[Dr_Snooz]

In my case, I drained the trans on an incline. It crapped fluid all over the place when I loosened it. I've heard that sometimes the torque converter can drain too, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[philo_beddoe]

A local tranny shop said there is an over flow anyway, kind of lika a radiator.  I'm not sure about that until i see it. Regardless, we are good with continuing to add until we see a reading...even at 7 or 8 qts.   Full capacity on the th400's is like 12 qts.  It does make sense, like with anything...if you do enough research, the truth starts to appear.

[philo_beddoe]

Well, a half qt more and it reads full.  When cold it is at or just below the add mark, when hot it is just above the full mark. Will i be okay?

[zieg85]

Yes I believe the statement check when hot comes to mind.  Slightly over should be fine.

[philo_beddoe]

Thanks!!!  Now i can sleep at night!   Next project: valve seals, which is just slightly above my ability.   

[zieg85]

Thanks!!!  Now i can sleep at night!   Next project: valve seals, which is just slightly above my ability.

Piece of cake.  With a valve spring compressor and a compression gauge hose to keep the valves closed, easy peasy...