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Old 02-24-2018, 11:26 AM   #1
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Filling transmission fluid

I know this may sound silly but my mechanic has always done this for me and now I need to do it today. I am low on transmission fluid. I have the right fluid in hand but cannot see where to put it. Do you put it in the dipstick hole? Is there a filler tube somewhere that I can't find? Advice appreciated.

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Old 02-24-2018, 11:39 AM   #2
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yup, it goes in the dipstick hole, but are you sure you need to add fluid? Make sure you check the level with the engine warmed up and running while in neutral. Also make sure you are not checking the engine oil level by mistake.
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Old 02-24-2018, 12:09 PM   #3
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Jeffery get ya one of those transmission funnels to help from making a mess. It can be difficult to recheck the level after you've poured some in until the tube is clear from what you poured in. And it's kinda hard to see it on the stick when checking the level. Make sure not to put too much in.
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Old 02-24-2018, 12:16 PM   #4
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*and pour very slowly and carefully in that teeny funnel. Way easy to get an air bubble in there and then you've got an overflow and a big mess. Also, tranny fluid ain't cheap anymore.
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Old 02-25-2018, 06:36 AM   #5
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I keep several plastic funnels tucked away under the hood, one each for oil fill and another specifically for transmission fluid. That way I'm never without one to add as needed.

Other tips on proper transmission fluid level checking:

1. Engine needs to be running.

2. Check when engine has reached operating temperature and just after having driven a few miles first.

3. Just before checking shift through the gears.

A bit apart from simply topping off when it's time to service the transmission please consider the full flush method Mark Kovolsky over on FTE wrote about: https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...-transmission/ I've done this all by myself, some details thereof here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ans-flush.html

HTH
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Old 02-25-2018, 09:44 AM   #6
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Awesome info!
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Old 02-26-2018, 07:46 PM   #7
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Thanks so much everyone. No, I did not look at the engine oil thinking it was tranny fluid!

I needed to add a quart to get the level to the hash marks on the dipstick. How it got that low I'll never know.
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Old 02-27-2018, 05:52 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffrey View Post
I needed to add a quart to get the level to the hash marks on the dipstick. How it got that low I'll never know.
It could be several things, have you checked it periodically yourself in the past? How long/miles ago did you check?

Typically the transmission doesn't lose fluid unless there's a leak somewhere. Check all around the drive train underneath your van. If its really 1 quart low there should be drops on the ground or a "spray" on or near the transmission.

Also be sure to check your coolant making sure there's no evidence of trans fluid there. (If there is you have a leak inside the radiator.)

FWIW when I did the DIY full fluid flush I thought it was filled correctly. Within 20 miles of driving at highway speeds the OD light was flashing, the deciphered "code" was overheating, a possible cause low fluid---it was just about 1.5 qts low.

Sounds like you've got it all under control---good to keep up on maintenance items like this.
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Old 02-27-2018, 10:03 AM   #9
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Thanks JWA. About 18 months ago I had the partial flush performed. Perhaps it never got propery filled then, because I see no leaks.
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Old 02-27-2018, 03:07 PM   #10
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Anyone tried a form-a-funnel?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...I12YMQNES&th=1
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