Trans fluid change
 

I thought I would start a new thread for my Trans problem. I drained and replaced the filter initially but did not drained the TQ convertor (I didn't know you can). Another member mentioned to drain the TQ convertor via the 5mm drain screw through the inspection hole on the bell housing. Well, I know I am old but I did not see the 5mm drain screw I assumed it is similar to the drain screw on the pan.

What I saw while turning the crank and looking were four bolts (13mm) I think but no drain screw. So I decided to drain the fluid again since I had planned on flushing. Drained the pan completely again and added 3 QT, check fluid thinking I was going to add small amount at a time so I don't overfill it. Well, with three qts added the level is overfilled. What gives? What am I doing wrong.

I am going to drain the pan again and capture the fluid into a clean container so I can use it to bring the level back up. Since the drain screw on the TQ convertor is not there, can one of the four bolts I saw act as a drain?

I am not sure what car you have.
On mine there is a small metal cover at the bottom of the bell Housing. That is were you would access the draing plug. It is just a small Allen headed plug.

I provided a link to get manuals.
The pic shows the torque convertor drain plug. It's difficult to get it lined up just right. I use a bump starter and a friend on the crank once I get close. When you turn the engine with a socket on the crank, the tc turns at a faster rate. I did not remove the cross member as stated to do in the FSM, not a big deal.
The capacity is from the owners manual.
Be sure to properly tighten the oil pan bolts especially, third pic, you have a 722.3.
EDIT, yes, please put your car in your avatar or signature.

You have to rotate the engine until the torque converter drain plug is accessible through the service port below the torque converter.

I was rotating the engine, now that I have a photo of what it should like I will look again tomorrow. This on a 1985 300SD. Thank you for all the inputs to help this lost individual.

The 85's may have a black modulator, that would be a 722.4 transmission, my 83 has a green one.

I just did my 85. The drain bolt is there. Turn the engine slowly & watch for the plug. I think I used a 32mm socket on the crank nut. Whatever the exact tool, procedure was obvious. Be careful not to over fill the fluid. It expands when hot so should read a little low when cold. Measure with engine running, trans in park, car on level ground. FSM warns to be very clean to the point of resisting urge to wipe fluid with a rag.

The front crank nut is 27mm or 1 1/16 inch.

quick related question: when refilling, do you do it with the engine running? i thought i read somewhere that you do it with the engine running and then, with foot on brake, put the trans through each gear, allowing it to "fill." then, drive it around until warmed up, park it and check level again to see if it needs to be topped off. is this true?

Not when actually adding the fluid. But, in order to get an accurate reading on the level, the transmission needs to be at operating temp with the engine idling in P or N, after having previously shifted through all gears. And the car needs t be parked in a level location.

In some situations, you might need to run the engine briefly during the refill process to transfer fluid to the torque converter.

I think the 6.6 qts half of that is in the TQ convertor I had to suck out 1 1/2 qt to bring it to the proper level. The procedure I follow for filling after draining is as follows:

with the pan completely, fill with fluid (engine not running), start engine and go through the gears reverse and drive and so on, chedk fluid. How I overfilled it is thinking the TQ convertor only holds two qts, so I filled it with 4 1/2qts. After draining the 1 1/2 qt this morning I am convince that the TQ contain 3 qts of the 6.6 qts.

I appreciate all the inputs, I've been in a lot of car forum (Bimmers and Porsche) this is by far the most active and helpful one I've join. I am going to run this new fluid for two tank full then I am going to drain it again, this time including the TQ convertor.

The level is good not thank you everyone.