Transmission Overfill Damage?

[cci]

As I sort through this new-to-me 1996 Dodge B3500 I'm finding out just how badly used/maintained it was. Previous owner bragged about how good his mechanic was, and how remarkably inexpensive. He got what he paid for.

The transmission is overfilled by a lot. Of course on the dipstick it says "DO NOT OVERFILL" like most others.

What possible damage can happen from running this particular transmission, or for that matter, any automatic transmission, in an overfilled condition?

 

[Kira]

How many miles are on it?

I've read that ATF can be churned.
The resulting foam doesn't actuate servos correctly. I suppose weak engagement, and thus wear, can occur.

 

[cci]

How many miles are on it?

I've read that ATF can be churned.
The resulting foam doesn't actuate servos correctly. I suppose weak engagement, and thus wear, can occur.

Just over 78K

 

[cci]

How many miles are on it?

I've read that ATF can be churned.
The resulting foam doesn't actuate servos correctly. I suppose weak engagement, and thus wear, can occur.

Engagement feels solid, shifts feel solid and where they should be in terms of road speed and engine rpm, goes down the road with no problem, a little growly taking off from a stop, but otherwise seems to be working well.

 

[BC1]

Did you check the transmission fluid running and in neutral?

 

[supton]

Was the engine running and in the right gear? I don't remember Mopar transmissions, but the old ones had to be neutral to be checked IIRC, and many automatics have to be running.

If it's overfull, perhaps drain a bit. And forget about it.

Then again, a dipstick is not a precision instrument; it might even be the wrong one (but then I have no idea how the mechanic would have known it had the level, unless if he simply added until it started shifting right--I'm just saying, it's a used vehicle, with all the baggage that comes with one).

 

[Chris142]

Did you check the transmission fluid running and in neutral?

This. Don't check it in park as you will get a overfilled reading .

Imo it would take a lot of overfill to damage a transmission if it ever did.

 

[JHZR2]

As I sort through this new-to-me 1996 Dodge B3500 I'm finding out just how badly used/maintained it was. Previous owner bragged about how good his mechanic was, and how remarkably inexpensive. He got what he paid for.

The transmission is overfilled by a lot. Of course on the dipstick it says "DO NOT OVERFILL" like most others.

What possible damage can happen from running this particular transmission, or for that matter, any automatic transmission, in an overfilled condition?

Which transmission? I’d guess a 46 or 47 RE?

Does it have the converter drain back like my 47RE? I can see that affecting the fluid height. Temperature too.

Thread 'Chrysler AT Dipstick Crosshatch - Range?'

Jan 24, 2021

My 47RE is shifting beautifully, but can be a little bit sluggish to start off in the very cold. I know per the FSM and from @clinebarger that the fluid has to be checked fully hot and in neutral. I did it today, and it looks great, but a little low. This was after driving about 25 miles on the interstate in 32F weather.

I can’t find reference to how much fluid is needed between the crosshatch, in the OM or the FSM. The OM has good instructions, but not even a pic of the dipstick, while the FSM has a bit of info but not any quantity.

Does anyone know the...

• JHZR2
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

• 

Thread '47RE Upgrades Done - But It Beat Me!'

Apr 19, 2021

Started at 2pm, finished just before 2am... wanted to be done so not distracted or lingering amidst the business of the week.

Today I installed:
-Sonnax Manual Valve
-Sonnax Pressure Regulated Lube Valve
-Sonnax billet accumulator
-Sonnax super hold servo
-Engineered Diesel HD band strut
-Adjust bands
-Replace filter

It kicked my butt, bad. Like ridiculously, where every step had something go wrong, and all things you can’t make up. Idiotic stuff like a valve body bolt falling through the 1//“ drain hole in my 23 qt drain pan and getting lost inside with no way to access.

It probably...

• JHZR2
• Replies: 40
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

• 
• 

 

[cci]

Did you check the transmission fluid running and in neutral?

Thank you for this.

The van didn't come with a manual, and I was checking it in Park. I had no idea these particular transmissions had to be checked in Neutral.

Turns out that it was almost two quarts low, not overfilled.

Runs much smoother now.

Big thanks to all who helped here.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Any extra should come out the transmission breather. Look around the top of the transmission to find it and see if it's all wet in that area. Dump that fluid ASAP and fill to correct level as per manual to prevent damage. I don't know what foaming does, but it's not good. If it's shifting I think it's ok. But you really need to get it to correct level ASAP, before any damage does occur.