filling your auto trans (th400) with trans fluid
08-17-2007, 08:35 AM
#1
filling your auto trans (th400) with trans fluid ok forgive this dumb newb question as i am used to working manual trans
but for filling your trans the first time with tranny fluid do you have to do anything special to get it to circulate or bleed the air through the trans and trans coolers?
reason i asked is i put 7 quarts in it (th400 book says it needs 7-8 quarts if completely empty), after i started it up (its having a hard time idling as i need a to work on my tune) when i tried to move it into reverse it does nothing.
wondering if it takes a while for the fluid to go through everything so the tranny works or what or if the guy who did my transbrake installed the valve body wrong.
but for filling your trans the first time with tranny fluid do you have to do anything special to get it to circulate or bleed the air through the trans and trans coolers?
reason i asked is i put 7 quarts in it (th400 book says it needs 7-8 quarts if completely empty), after i started it up (its having a hard time idling as i need a to work on my tune) when i tried to move it into reverse it does nothing.
wondering if it takes a while for the fluid to go through everything so the tranny works or what or if the guy who did my transbrake installed the valve body wrong.
08-17-2007, 09:17 AM
#4
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I'm not sure on the TH400's but if you don't fill the converter on a 4L60E, you can burn up the pump inside the trans since there is no fluid when you put it in gear.
Pull the trans, pour in as much fluid as you can get the converter to hold and shove it back in. Cross your fingers and hope the pump is ok.
Pull the trans, pour in as much fluid as you can get the converter to hold and shove it back in. Cross your fingers and hope the pump is ok.
08-17-2007, 12:43 PM
#6
DON'T pull the transmission...
With the engine running and 7-8 quarts of fluid in the pan cycle the shifter from Park to Low slowly, then go back up.
Then, check the fluid level. Top it off and then drive it easy. Once it has engaged all of the clutches it will have purged itself of any air.
Check the fluid again and adjust the level as necessary.
You have not hurt anything and will not if you do not abuse the unit until it is full.
g
With the engine running and 7-8 quarts of fluid in the pan cycle the shifter from Park to Low slowly, then go back up.
Then, check the fluid level. Top it off and then drive it easy. Once it has engaged all of the clutches it will have purged itself of any air.
Check the fluid again and adjust the level as necessary.
You have not hurt anything and will not if you do not abuse the unit until it is full.
g
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08-18-2007, 09:03 AM
#12
Originally Posted by smoknta
Yeah, it sounds to me like the convertor was never engaged into the pump gear. Did you make sure the converter was fully seated?
I just had the exact same thing happen as you(except I'm very confident I seated my converter as its no where near my first time) and I had filled my converter with fluid. Trans guy pulled it apart and found nothing wrong with the pump or inside the trans he claims so back in it goes again?
I need a damn th350 or th400 this 4l60e **** is for the birds
08-18-2007, 11:43 PM
#13
My builder told me to start with 9qts leave it up on the stands. Start it up and cycle through the gears to get things going. This is also with 1qt in the 'verter and a deep pan.
Told me to cycle the tranny a few times, let it cool and do it again...checking the level each time until it shows up as full on the dipstick.
Told me to cycle the tranny a few times, let it cool and do it again...checking the level each time until it shows up as full on the dipstick.
08-19-2007, 08:22 AM
#14
Theres no magic number on how much fluid a th400 SWAP takes. Put some fluid in it, run it through the gears, check the dipstick, repeat until it shows full.
Don't be fooled by the stick reading full or over full if you check it right after pouring fluid in, the fluid needs time to run down the tube, it's common to get false readings from fluid on the inside diameter of the tube getting on the stick.
Don't be fooled by the stick reading full or over full if you check it right after pouring fluid in, the fluid needs time to run down the tube, it's common to get false readings from fluid on the inside diameter of the tube getting on the stick.
08-19-2007, 01:04 PM
#15
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I was also told by rossler to pour in 7-8 courts (even with the verter empty). Do you just not have reverse, or no gears at all? If it's just reverse, you have to engage some T-brakes to get reverse, my brothers does this but my Rossler doesn't.
Dan
Dan
08-19-2007, 11:51 PM
#16
Ok you have 9 qts in it. That should allow for engagement if it is capapble of producing pressure right now. It may take more to fill it bit that should be enough.
I just reread your posts, this entire thread.
Do you have forward gears? If so then you need to engage your transbrake in order to achieve Reverse as DanZ28 stated.... your is a Pro-Brake configuration. It is a safety feature that will keep you from finding the Race gear at high speeds!
Get back to us on that... DON'T pull it out yet!!!! There might be hope for it!
g
I just reread your posts, this entire thread.
Do you have forward gears? If so then you need to engage your transbrake in order to achieve Reverse as DanZ28 stated.... your is a Pro-Brake configuration. It is a safety feature that will keep you from finding the Race gear at high speeds!
Get back to us on that... DON'T pull it out yet!!!! There might be hope for it!
g
08-20-2007, 07:28 AM
#17
havent got to work on it as i was out of town on the weekend. but will play with it more tonight.
also talked to my tranny builder and suggested checking if park was holding, if park isnt holding then he thinks he did something wrong on it (i think it was holding but i am going to check again).
i am pretty sure i seated the converter in the trans right.
going to by another 4 quarts and see about putting more it (constantly checking the level).
i hope i can get this resolved by the transam nationals next weekend, would like to take it to the cruise in.
also talked to my tranny builder and suggested checking if park was holding, if park isnt holding then he thinks he did something wrong on it (i think it was holding but i am going to check again).
i am pretty sure i seated the converter in the trans right.
going to by another 4 quarts and see about putting more it (constantly checking the level).
i hope i can get this resolved by the transam nationals next weekend, would like to take it to the cruise in.
08-20-2007, 10:58 AM
#20
Yeah they can take a bunch of fluid... but I think it oughta be picking up with as much as it has in it now. I wouldn't go too much more, but it is worth adding a qt or two.
Glad to see you talked to your builder! He will probably offer the solution. Definately do whatever he recommends 1st!
Tonight, I would recommend trying it in all forward gears gently. Rotate the shifter throught the entire range, then with the wheels off the ground run it up and determine if it has forwards gears. Not sure if it has forward gears, but make sure it has the capability of shifting... if not I recommend not running it until your builder has had a chence to check his work.
Sounds like you are in good hands!
Good Luck.
g
Glad to see you talked to your builder! He will probably offer the solution. Definately do whatever he recommends 1st!
Tonight, I would recommend trying it in all forward gears gently. Rotate the shifter throught the entire range, then with the wheels off the ground run it up and determine if it has forwards gears. Not sure if it has forward gears, but make sure it has the capability of shifting... if not I recommend not running it until your builder has had a chence to check his work.
Sounds like you are in good hands!
Good Luck.
g