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54 Posts
2002 SE Wagon with 200K. Pretty sure it was on the original filter but the fluid had been refilled (but not flushed) thanks to a corroded cooler return line.
The pan removal went smoothly aside from the obligatory noob spill. Scraped off the factory seals and installed the filter and gasket from a kit. Tightened it up nice and snug but didn't crank it down hard with a ratchet. About 3.5 quarts ended up in the catch pan/driveway/my hair. Added 3 quarts of Mercon LV.
Per a youtube video I disconnected the ATF cooler return line and ran the engine until it filled the three ATF bottles to the top with a bit of overflow. Reconnected the line and added three quarts. I thought this should get me in the ballpark or even dead-on but I can't get a consistent dipstick read.
After sitting overnight the dipstick read dead middle but when I fired her up and ran through the gears the tip of the stick was barely wet. Added one more quart of LV. It seems like the tip picks up fluid in the tube and I can't get a good read. Sometimes the stick is covered on one side but dry on the other. I don't want it to be low but I've been told overfilling is just as bad.
WTF am I doing wrong? [?|] I pull the stick, wipe, reinsert and read with the engine running. Should I read the dry side or wet side or am I missing something important?
The pan removal went smoothly aside from the obligatory noob spill. Scraped off the factory seals and installed the filter and gasket from a kit. Tightened it up nice and snug but didn't crank it down hard with a ratchet. About 3.5 quarts ended up in the catch pan/driveway/my hair. Added 3 quarts of Mercon LV.
Per a youtube video I disconnected the ATF cooler return line and ran the engine until it filled the three ATF bottles to the top with a bit of overflow. Reconnected the line and added three quarts. I thought this should get me in the ballpark or even dead-on but I can't get a consistent dipstick read.
After sitting overnight the dipstick read dead middle but when I fired her up and ran through the gears the tip of the stick was barely wet. Added one more quart of LV. It seems like the tip picks up fluid in the tube and I can't get a good read. Sometimes the stick is covered on one side but dry on the other. I don't want it to be low but I've been told overfilling is just as bad.
WTF am I doing wrong? [?|] I pull the stick, wipe, reinsert and read with the engine running. Should I read the dry side or wet side or am I missing something important?