Fluid Sitting on Top of Transmission

by **PaulR** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:08 pm

Hi everyone,

I am having a very odd issue. A couple of weeks ago, I drained and refilled my transmission and added 5 quarts of transmission fluid to my 1999 Solara V6. Today I noticed that there was transmission fluid under my car. Thinking it was the drain plug or something on the pan, I investigated the matter only to find that there is quite a bit of transmission fluid sitting on top of the transmission housing. It doesn't appear it came from the dip stick area. Does anyone have any idea how the fluid got there or how to stop it from going there?

Thanks for your help everyone, I really do appreciate it.

by **mig0s** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:50 pm

automatic or 5 speed?

by **PaulR** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:54 pm

mig0s wrote:automatic or 5 speed?

It is an automatic. Is it possible I could have overfilled it? I can't find much on the Internet, but some have said (on other cars) there might be a relief valve? Was 5+ quarts too much to add (that's the number my Chilton's manual uses)?

Thanks again!

by **mig0s** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 5:11 pm

I have a 5 speed transmission and last year, when I was about to change my transmission oil, I looked up and it says 5 quarts. So I bought 5 quarts and after 3 and a half quarts, my transmission was full and cannot get another drop in. My mechanic said it was normal because after years of driving, there's oil sludge in the reservoir (that you don't actually have to worry about) so it gives you less room. So I believe you overfilled it.

by **PaulR** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:05 pm

mig0s wrote:I have a 5 speed transmission and last year, when I was about to change my transmission oil, I looked up and it says 5 quarts. So I bought 5 quarts and after 3 and a half quarts, my transmission was full and cannot get another drop in. My mechanic said it was normal because after years of driving, there's oil sludge in the reservoir (that you don't actually have to worry about) so it gives you less room. So I believe you overfilled it.

Thanks for your help mig0s!

I read a couple of posts that said only about 3.5 quarts was actually needed, so I could be way over. Do I need to drain some or is this relief valve doing it for me?

Thanks again!

by **ftw** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:32 pm

I don't think if you drain and fill on the auto transmission you removed 5 quarts of fluid. When you drain an auto transmission more than 3/4 of the fluid stays in the tranny. That's probably why it's leaking. I would drain out some of the fluid because overfilling will cause problems.

by **ftw** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:36 pm

mig0s wrote:I have a 5 speed transmission and last year, when I was about to change my transmission oil, I looked up and it says 5 quarts. So I bought 5 quarts and after 3 and a half quarts, my transmission was full and cannot get another drop in. My mechanic said it was normal because after years of driving, there's oil sludge in the reservoir (that you don't actually have to worry about) so it gives you less room. So I believe you overfilled it.

Sludge in your transmission?! If I remember correctly all it holds is 3 1/2 or maybe 4 quarts. It's in my owners manual and I will check it tomorrow.

by **PaulR** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:50 pm

My dipstick is bent and I can't get a good reading on it, so I am unsure of how much to drain out. Could you confirm whether the automatic drain and fill is 5 quarts or 3.5 quarts? I put in 5, but like you and mig0s said, I think it might just be overfilled.

by **mig0s** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:02 pm

ftw wrote:
mig0s wrote:I have a 5 speed transmission and last year, when I was about to change my transmission oil, I looked up and it says 5 quarts. So I bought 5 quarts and after 3 and a half quarts, my transmission was full and cannot get another drop in. My mechanic said it was normal because after years of driving, there's oil sludge in the reservoir (that you don't actually have to worry about) so it gives you less room. So I believe you overfilled it.

Sludge in your transmission?! If I remember correctly all it holds is 3 1/2 or maybe 4 quarts. It's in my owners manual and I will check it tomorrow.

maybe not sludge but he told me something like that. Basically he said as your car ages, it takes less oil in the transmission. And I swear seeing in the manual 5 quarts.

by **02slera** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 4:04 am

put in the same amount that came out. lol

by **chriscarter** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:11 am

When you drain an automatic transmission, some fluid stays in the torque converter which cannot be drained. When looking up the fluid capacity, make sure that the spec indicates whether that capacity is a dry fill or an in-the-shop drain and refill. Your symptom tells me that it was overfilled.

If there is sludge, it is because the fluid hasn't been changed often enough. If there, it should be cleaned out when you drop the pan to replace the ATF filter inside. There is no "reservoir".

by **PaulR** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:40 pm

Thanks for your help everyone. My Chilton's manual says 5 quarts for a drain and refill, but I have found conflicting information elsewhere. There is a still a puddle under my car, and I have driven quite a bit. I will try to get an accurate dipstick reading tonight. In the meantime, can anyone settle the 3.5 quarts or 5 quarts for drain and refill? That would be appreciated.

by **DSM_Lara** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:46 pm

Mines about the same... I know I didn't use 5 quarts even though the dealer and the manual says. I use about 3.5 and it was full.

by **chriscarter** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:48 pm

Drain and refill...3.7 qts. Always good practice to put in the recommended amount, shift between P-R-D and back with foot on brake, run the engine until warm, then check fluid level on dipstick.

by **PaulR** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:55 pm

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Since at least a quart or so has been "released" by now, should I attempt to drain anything or will it be okay (assuming this isn't a leak and the dipstick reads okay)?