Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Okay as some of you know, last month I dropped my transmission pan, installed a new WIX filter and a B&M drain plug and almost 5 quarts of Mercon V. Before I changed the fluid, I checked the level, it was almost 1 inch above the full line. Didnt concern me much because I knew I was going to adjust the level with the replacement fluid. To my surprise, the yellow "bobber was not in the pan, meaning that the PO did some maintenance to the transmission (I bought the truck with 113K, so it was prior to that). So fast forward to me getting the fluid level perfectly at the full line. Thats when the issue of hard 2-1 downshifts started and some clunks from the drive shaft slip yoke started. This weekend, almost 3,000 miles after the initial change, I drained the pan via the B&M plug, right at 3 3/4 quarts drained out and filled it with 4 quarts even. 100% of my clunks, hard down shifts went away. Here is the problem, after driving it 40 miles and getting the temp to 150 and checking it, the level is almost 1 inch above full. Should I leave it as is, or drain about 1/2 quart to get the fluid level perfectly at full? It is shifting the smoothest is ever has since I have owned it. I think the answer will be to drain it until it is right at full, but I hope that doesnt make the clunks and hard down shifts reappear. Thanks for any input guys.

vintageman

Do you have any air bubbles or aeration on the dipstick? If it is overfilled, you normally will see a type of bubbles where the fluid is kinda churning due to being overfilled. Also, just because I would have this type of luck, is it the right dipstick? The wrong one would read wrong. That only comes to mind because someone sold me a car once with the wrong oil dipstick in it and it always read above the full mark.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

No bubbles or aeration. Just nice clean fluid. It shifted perfect for about 10K, which I assume it was over filled that entire time. Then when I drained fluid and refilled to perfectly level, my issues started with the hard 2-1 downshift. It shifts and down shifts like a dream right now (with the level reading an inch over "hot full"). I am confused. I did think that it could be the wrong dipstick. Can anyone measure the length from the bottom edge of the yellow part to the end of the dipstick?

vintageman

I should be able to measure mine sometimes in the morning before noon Saturday. I need to check fluid levels anyway and I will post the length afterwards.

lewissa81

Did you remember to cycle through the gears right before you checked it? If you didn't, you're not going to get a correct reading.

PerryB

I have to ask a dumb question. Are you checking the fluid with the engine running? A correctly filled trans. will read roughly an inch over when the engine is off.

sdmartin65

Strange that 1/4 quart changes the reading that much, but it does tell you a minor change in the fluid amount has big consequences. At any rate I run an auto shop and see many brand new vehicles that read over full on trans stick. Like said above bubbles, strange shifting would be present if it was causing problems. I don't think the manufacturers get things as accurate as we give them credit for.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

I checked the fluid after driving it about 30 miles, the temp of the fluid according to my Edge was 150, it was on a level surface, in my garage, with the truck running, I cycled through all the gears, put the e-brake on, placed it in neutral and checked the level with the truck running. It shifts better now than ever after about 9 quarts of new fluid, no bubbles or aeration or erratic shifting at all.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

I just pulled the dipstick, is is Ford part # 5L3P-7A020-CB and is 36 15/16" long from the bottom of the yellow part to the tip.

vintageman

I got 34 7/16 on mine from yellow part to tip. I have the 2004 5.4 4WD, don't know if that would make a difference, is yours a 2WD?