[dwaypugh3]

I have an 06 Town and Country that I recently changed the front passenger and driver side CV axles. Since it has around 160,000 miles and has never had a transmission fluid change I let as much run out when i did the change which was about 2 quarts. At the same time I decided to change the trans fluid and filter as well which was about 4 quarts. After adding the four quarts back into the pan he dipstick tells me it is full. I thought that after running the van it would draw the fluid in and I would be able to top off with the last two quarts. the only time it seems to draw the fluid is if I have the van in neutrel, but then it seems to put it back into pan after returning to park. How do I get the additional fluid back into the system? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[shipo]

Please describe the procedure you are using to check the transmission fluid level.

 

[FabricGATOR]

The transaxle oil ''communicates'' with the transmission pan. If you remove the pan and drain, it is about a quantity of just under four quarts of the entire 11.6 qts. Or perhaps 10.6... I'd have to check that to be certain. I do believe that you should get a little more drained out if the half shafts are removed, but I don't believe you'll get upwards of six quarts.

Anyway, full is full.

I find the transmission dipstick can be a little deceiving as I believe oil will wipe off the walls of the dipstick tube, thus causing a false level.
What I found is to check well, I need to wipe the oil off the stick with alcohol, gasoline, brake cleaner... something that makes the stick dry. Then I look past the oil on the sides of the dipped stick, looking towards the center to "see" the accurate level.

A good (and easy) initial check, prior to starting the engine when it is cold is to pull the dip stick and see that the oil is up around the 'crook bend', actually just a little below the bend 3/8-1/2 inch.

Please return and let us know what you find and how you fix your mini... Your completion report will help us and others in a similar quandary.

Welcome to the forum, Cheers!

 

[mikespainting291]

The transaxle oil ''communicates'' with the transmission pan. If you remove the pan and drain, it is about a quantity of just under four quarts of the entire 11.6 qts. Or perhaps 10.6... I'd have to check that to be certain. I do believe that you should get a little more drained out if the half shafts are removed, but I don't believe you'll get upwards of six quarts.

Anyway, full is full.

I find the transmission dipstick can be a little deceiving as I believe oil will wipe off the walls of the dipstick tube, thus causing a false level.
What I found is to check well, I need to wipe the oil off the stick with alcohol, gasoline, brake cleaner... something that makes the stick dry. Then I look past the oil on the sides of the dipped stick, looking towards the center to "see" the accurate level.

A good (and easy) initial check, prior to starting the engine when it is cold is to pull the dip stick and see that the oil is up around the 'crook bend', actually just a little below the bend 3/8-1/2 inch.

Please return and let us know what you find and how you fix your mini... Your completion report will help us and others in a similar quandary.

Welcome to the forum, Cheers!

Hope you used ATF4

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Jeepman]

You aren't doing the check properly. The level will be highest when cold, engine not running. Lowest when engine cold and running.
Transmission Fluid Level - Quick Cursory Check

Quick Fixes

How about telling us about some quick fixes. I have three to share in Post #2, #3 and #4.

www.chryslerminivan.net

 

[shipo]

You aren't doing the check properly. The level will be highest when cold, engine not running. Lowest when engine cold and running.
Transmission Fluid Level - Quick Cursory Check

Quick Fixes

How about telling us about some quick fixes. I have three to share in Post #2, #3 and #4.

www.chryslerminivan.net

Hence my asking the OP how the level was tested.

 

[dwaypugh3]

Thanks for the quick replies. Yes I did use ATF+4 fluid to refill. The amount tht came out was caught in drain pains and was place into two empty 5 quart oil containers. The one from the axles hit 2 quarts and the pan hit 4 quarts. As far as measuring on the dip stick I know there are two readings from hot to cold. Cold not running it is actually reading a little high and after letting the engine run in park for ten minutes it still had the same reading and the fluid on the dipstick was not even warm. When I put the engine in neutral and revved the engine slightly and cleaned the dipstick off and checked the level there was no fluid on the stick at all. Only when putting the engine in park the fluid would return to the same level as before.

Thanks again.

 

[shipo]

Procedure For Checking Fluid Level

The fluid level in the automatic transmission should be checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the transmission and of the fluid.

To properly check the automatic transmission fluid level, the following procedure must be used:

1. The vehicle must be on level ground.
2. The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a minimum of 60 seconds.
3. Fully apply parking brake.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear position ending with the lever in P (PARK). Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to eliminate the possibility of dirt entering the transmission.
5. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot or warm. Hot fluid is approximately 180°F (82°C), which is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle has been driven at least 15 miles (24 km). The fluid cannot be comfortably held between the finger tips. Cold is when the fluid is below 27°C (80°F).
6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated. Remove dipstick and note reading.
   1. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the crosshatched area marked "HOT" (between the upper two holes in the dipstick).
   2. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between the lower two holes in the area marked "COLD".

Said another way, letting the engine idle in Park for ten minutes will do virtually nothing to warm up the ATF.

 

[Jeepman]

Forget about Neutral. The procedure involves Park. If half warmed up, you will get a lukewarm reading.

 

[LEVY]

Please describe the procedure you are using to check the transmission fluid level.

Hence my asking the OP how the level was tested.

Sometimes asking this simple question before providing further instructions gives you the best honest answer from the O.P.

 

[atoman]

Was the level checked before service? It could have been overfilled...
Drive it ~10mi and check again, differential may not fully fill when it's sitting parked.

 

[dwaypugh3]

Sorry was occupied with another project. Thanks for all of the suggestions. Will try and let you know what happens.