Yes ~ the tranny AND TORQUE CONVERTER *must* be drained then refilled before any testing or adjustments are done .

After you've done a complete hot tranny fluid and filter service (including cleaning the pan 100 % and adding a small magnet) you fill it, let it idle a while in gear to fully warm it up then top it up (! DO NOT OVER FILL !) and go for a drive, then connect your test gauge and see what you get .

You sound like you're handy with tools and this isn't overly complex .


Remember : a tiny bit of crud can and will cause serious problems so consider cleaning or washing the entire tranny *before* you open it up .

BE SAFE ! THIS IS A VERY HEAVY CAR YOU'LL BE WORKING UNDER ! .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better