volvo 850 AT drained 5+ qts trans safest way to refill?

[JimBee]

Five point three came out, to be exact. Car was stored over winter and not started before draining. It was parked forward on slight downslope. I suspect it was overfilled, too, so I'm kind of starting from square one. I'm being cautious about running the internals when they've drained that dry.

With that much fluid out, I'm thinking maybe put back 3, start engine and move shifter through all gears while car is stationary. Get it on flat ground and check the dipstick. Then add as indicated. It's not insured yet so can't take it for a drive.

Suggestions?

EDIT With 3 qts in, jacked to level, dipstick shows slightly over full.

[abscate]

Get the manual out and read the procedure on checking AT level.

The dipstick level on a non running car doesn't mean anything

[cn90]

Simple Drain and Refill is about 3.3 qts, I posted that info in the ATF fluid DIY thread.

[JimBee]

If I'd got 3.3 qts out I wouldn't have bothered to ask the question. 5.3 qts drained out, not 3.3. I measured it with a graduated kitchen pitcher as I transferred it from the drain pan.

abscate. There's been a lot of fussy talk about having it at exactly the right level or damage could result. I'm concerned that it might have been overfilled by the mechanic at a local transmission shop, but 2 qts over? Maybe. The transmission cooler lines were leaking quite a bit so I replaced them. Sure I'll know when the engine is warmed up and circulation in the transmission is normal.

But if just 3 qts leaves turning parts dry, then something could be damaged if I run it like that, even without driving around.

That transmission has been working really well last time I drove it which was last summer. I hope to keep it that way.

See my concern?

BTW I think it's useful to keep in mind that I'm not the only member to wonder about these finer points. As of a couple of minutes ago, there were 67 views, most of whom are likely curious about the same questions. If you slam me for picking at finer points they're probably breathing a sigh of relief that they didn't ask.

[warmblood58]

I have found that driving it for a good 30 minutes is key and check it hot - my tranny was way overfilled as well. Good luck

[JimBee]

Thanks for the feedback warmblood. I need to repair a couple of other things before getting it on the road next week, so can't really drive it to get everything circulating in the tranny, which is one of my concerns. Did you get any leaks from overfilling?

[cn90]

Because the trans was overfilled to start with.

I believe 3.3 qts is the proper refill.
Of course, you check ATF level using the recommended procedure, which is with engine hot and running at idle.

[warmblood58]

yea, my trans a little wet underneath but not pushing ATF probably because it was driven less than 1000 miles this way

[abscate]

Jim..as long as there is some fluid in the pan the transmission pump will keep everything happy at idle.im not advocating tearing around at 70 mph with 3 liters down, but you get the idea

If you dropped 5 liters, put 2 back in, idle it to warm, run through the gears, follow the check level procedure to top off right, neither too little nor too little

I know you are a careful worker, sorry if I posted harsh above, didn't mean it that way.

I just spent a week dumping oil on my driveway overfilling my engine sump btw. I'm a real brain surgeon , some days.

[ZionXIX]

If only there was a way to "pre-heat" the transmission fluid so you could just fill to the proper line the first time.