I changed the tranny fluid recently and the level indicated on the dip-stick is just above the second mark(like a couple cm) I've been told that overfilling is bad, but should I be OK if it's just above that mark? everything seems to run OK, i'm just paranoid and figured I'd ask more knowledgable people than myself. if its safe for it to be at that level, ill leave it because i really dont want to get under my car in the snow and drain the fluid. thanks!

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Ryan Z

anyone?

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Ryan Z

How did you check it? If you checked it the right way I would remove a little out with the mighty vac and a long plastic tube.

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Jim

i checked it through the dipstick when hot *tries to think if he has any long plastic tubes in his house*

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Ryan Z

After car has been run for at least 20 minutes at highway speed (hot), engine idling and gear selector in park after it has been moved from drive to low and finally to park. Home Depot/Lows has the kind of tube you need. You will probably be ok driving it for a short time/distance but I would try to get it between the marks.

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Jim

a shop vac would be enough to suck up fluid if i just place it over a thinner tube in the dip-stick?

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Ryan Z

From my experience it's really difficult to properly check the level after adding fluid because the fluid will be all over the inside of the dipstick tube and give you a false reading. So give it a day or so. Also keep in mind the level is very sensitive to fluid temperature and there's only about 0.3 quart difference between the low and high mark. You want to be checking the fluid when it's reasonably hot, but not right after a long freeway drive. Give it 10 or 15 minutes to cool down, depending on ambient temp. I also read it's good to go through the gears just before checking the fluid, but I'm not sure how much difference it makes. If it's just a tiny bit over the upper mark, I'd leave it alone.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I'm sure it will if you can seal the shop vac hose to the small tube. A shop vac will probably remove more than you need to. Sounds like you are only talking about a few ounces.

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Jim

sounds good. ill try to get it between the marks but not fret about it, since it wont really cause a catastrophy, yes? i always get scared when exacting specs are called for.

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Ryan Z

Yea - you will probably be alright. Just get it between the marks the next chance you get. The way I change tranny fluid I pour what comes out into some clear gallon jugs and estimate about how much I got out then put that much back in less approximately 1/2 quart. After getting the car up to temp I add just a little bit at a time till it is between the marks. It does not take much between the bottom mark and the top one.

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Jim

Overfilling will cause bubbles to form in the ATF. ATF transfers heat MUCH better than air. I.e. if you overfill by too much for too long you could end up with transmission BBQ.