Hi guys I'm not really a d.y I. And I'm confused on transmission fluid reading I have a 04 w a 5.4 triton not sure what kind of automatic transmission , well the truck has been sitting for two days it ain't been driven. I wanted to check the tranny fluid today and when I pulled out the dipstick it read nothing completely dry, it has two sections one says cold other says hot I wanted to know if it should read anything on the dipstick at all on the cold section. Should I add some merkon 5 ? Every gear works good slowly switching thru them when started . Any help is appreciated

 

The best time to check is after it's been warmed up by driving around. When level in park running it should be at the hot line. So if it's not there then yes add some. You are probably more than a quart low.

You need to shut the truck off while adding because the fan will blow the stream and make a mess while you're pouring it into the funnel. Ask me how I know 😬
Add like a half quart at a time until it reaches the proper level.

 

Slowly carefully add fluid mercon v , look for leaks later . It important to not be too low or too full . I have had them act up, find fluid low, fill it and it starts acting fine . You never want to heat them up over 200 deg f ,Normal temps run 160 to 180 . sometimes pulling a too heavy load up a grade will make fluid come out -ask me how I found that one out in the mountains .
I use a aftermarket drain pan with a drain and change fluid out 4-5 quarts over days until i go thru 20 quarts , The color should be red and not smell burnt .
If it gets to hot ,stop and let it cool down ,beats a big repair bill . Yes its going to take several hours to cool . You may need to add a transmission cooler in front of radiator .

 

If you find it more than a quart low with no sign of an external leak and it's a 4wd you may find that the seal between the trans and transfer case failed like I found.
The xcase ended up 3 quarts too full because the trans leaked into it.

 

The day before I let it sit running in park for about fifteen twenty minutes cycled gears and drove in each one for a bit checked it and it was the same thing no fluid not even one drop on the dipstick not even on the cold line I was occasionally giving it has, I just don't wanna risk driving it for twenty thirty minutes and it mess something up. I mean it drove normal on this past wensday no real difference . Still think I should add some ? If so home much do u think like what should the dipstick read if it sits over night normally. If that makes sense I know for OEM says to check it in park

 

I think the dipstick reads higher with the engine shut off... So either way you need to add some. Like I said just add half a quart then check if need more keep adding a half quart until it as at the proper level.

 

Thanks you I'll get on that after work tonight, thanks for the help fellas

 

Make sure you are fully inserting dipstick and read both sides of the stick.
I am surprised that you are having no transmission symptoms if it is really low, off the stick. Are you getting any delayed engagement when shifting into reverse?

 

Frzrbrnt
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