Overfilled my MT transmission... damages?

[volkl23]

Well, I changed my gear oil at 22xxx miles with Valvoline 75w90 conventional oil on my Subaru WRX STi. Worlds of a difference after I put in the new oil. Shifts are now silky smooth while the notchiness is not as noticeable.

Searching the forums for suggestions on a good oil for the rear diff, I stumbled onto a piece of info that was quite troubling to me. I failed to realize that I had to drain from TWO LOCATIONS! One is a smaller bolt, which is slightly angled and the other one is 21mm bolt that is completey vertical.

I am very concerend that I put in TOO much oil. I waited for about half an hour before I sealed the bolt again. It dripped every few seconds when I finally rebolted the drain plug. I put in approximately 4.3 quarts as recommended in the manual.

I checked my dipstick and it seems to be over the full mark by a lot. I'm guessing that it was overfilled by .3-.4 quarts as others have mentioned that the particular bolt I removed drains approximaely 4 quarts. Do you guys think I have to redo the whole gear oil change.. again? I hope not How bad is it really to have it overfilled?

I've driven around 25 miles on it now. IS it ok if i drive another 25 miles to get this drained or do I have to do an emergency pitstop on the road to do it?

Also, do you guys recommend me just draining and refilling or completely getting new gear oil. I hope it's the former as I already shelled out $23 for the 5 quarts

 

[Dan4510]

Is there any way to check the oil level or do you have to drain and fill?

If you have to drain and fill I would do that, it beats having to rebuild the transmission or fix leaking seals.

If it was just a 1/2 a qt overfill I would not worry, but it sounds like you may have a qt or more.

Dan

 

[volkl23]

Thanks for replying Dan. I do have a dipstick and it's considerably higher than the high mark. I took the car out for a 2 minute drive (literally) and checked teh dipstick. It had a lot of micro-bubbles. I don't think that's good at all. I've driven 25 miles on it overfilled, do you think I caused any gasket damages? I'm draining out the excess fluid as we speak (not dry though, just enough to get it to the correct level).

 

[Gary Allan]

I think the main problem would be seals leaking. You probably don't have any pressure lubrication (although some Jag trans and Jeep x-fer case DO have internal pumps) going on there.


Can't you get one of those "oil suction guns" and just put it in via the dip stick hole (I'm assuming that you don't have an "oil dipstick" type thin tube)????

 

[Dan4510]

quote:

---

Originally posted by volkl23:
Thanks for replying Dan. I do have a dipstick and it's considerably higher than the high mark. I took the car out for a 2 minute drive (literally) and checked teh dipstick. It had a lot of micro-bubbles. I don't think that's good at all. I've driven 25 miles on it overfilled, do you think I caused any gasket damages? I'm draining out the excess fluid as we speak (not dry though, just enough to get it to the correct level).

---

You should not have caused any damage in that short time and limited milegae.

If you had bubbles though, it was definitely too full. Bubbles dont lubricate!

Glad you got it worked out.

Dan

 

[volkl23]

Thanks everyone for your comments. My dipstick now reads a healthy 1 mm below the full mark. I WAY overfilled it. I'd say by 1-1.5 quarts. I'm crossing my fingers that my beefy 6speed was able to take it in the 25 miles of highway driving I did.

 

[Steve S]

Don't worry be happy the trans will be fine.