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2000 Wrangler Auto Trans Filling

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by Boyink, Jan 28, 2023.

  1. Jan 28, 2023
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    Check my thinking here...;)

    My 2000 TJ with the automatic transmission has a leaking shifter seal. It doesn't leak if you drive it every day. It only leaks after sitting for a week or so - long enough that the torque converter drains, raising the fluid level in the transmission body.

    So it's currently sitting in the garage with a big puddle. I need to drive it to the mechanic on Monday - maybe 2 miles.

    I want to top off the ATF before doing that.

    Am I right in thinking I should overfill it before starting the Jeep - assuming it'll want to pump the torque converter full again?

    Then start it for a minute or two, shut it down and check fluid level again. Do that a couple times, then go drive it long enough to come up to temp, then check fluid as per normal procedure?
     
    Boyink, Jan 28, 2023
    #1
  2. Jan 28, 2023
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    Dipstick currently - without starting the Jeep and after sitting for weeks - shows a bit above Max.
     
    Boyink, Jan 28, 2023
    #2
  3. Jan 28, 2023
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
    Joined:
    May 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1,178
    If you're seeing it "over-max" on the stick, *I* would just start it up, and let it warm up, go out and check the level with it running, once it's refilled the torque converter.

    I don't know what the owners manual for a TJ says for checking that level, if anything, but when I've got a question about fluid level, I tend to prefer to chock the wheels securely, maybe get the wife to stand on the brakes, and check with the transmission in R or D, as that's usually what's going to drop the pan level the lowest.

    Just to be clear, I don't believe it's possible for the torque converter to be drained *dry* when installed in the vehicle, unless you were hanging it by the front bumper or something.
     
    SFaulken, Jan 28, 2023
    #3
  4. Jan 28, 2023
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    Thanks...

    Owners manual is typical procedure - get vehicle to normal operating temps, set brake, cycle through R/D, then put in Park and check.

    It's hard to know what-all is going on, but I'm betting the TC isn't completely dry either. It's probably found stasis at the level of the leak.
     
    Boyink, Jan 28, 2023
    #4
  5. Jan 28, 2023
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Spokane Valley, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,686
    I’d start parking that thing over a bucket and just dump back in whatever drains out. ;)
     
    ITLKSEZ, Jan 28, 2023
    #5
  6. Jan 28, 2023
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    ;)

    It's getting handed down to my son. Although part of me wants to give it to him as-is and say "welcome to Jeep ownership" I can't bring myself to actually do that. Goal is to get it all buttoned up then he'll come get it sometime in May (after MI thaws out).
     
    Boyink, Jan 28, 2023
    #6
    Fireball and ITLKSEZ like this.
  7. Jan 28, 2023
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    6,197
    All set. I think. Took just over a quart of ATF.
     
    Boyink, Jan 28, 2023
    #7
    SFaulken likes this.
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