Introduction & Q about transmission overfill

[Marshmallow]

A quick introduction then a question on what symptons to expect from a transmission overfill.

We bought our 2001 LC with 138k miles in July of this year to replace our aging 2002 Toyota Sienna, funny thing is that the Sienna only had 144k miles, but boy there was a huge difference in interior/exterior condition when comparing the two vehicles side by side and driving them back to back. Looks like it had 2 previous owners, one on lease in Texas and the one who imported it to Canada.

We've already put on 3500 miles so far this summer, with a couple of 700-1000 mile trips towing our pop-up. Definitely not geared for towing, but works fine when I anticipate shifts on hills. Got only 11 MPG through the mountains in BC (was shifting into 2nd gear for the bigger climbs), but got the same as around town (13-15 MPG) when towing on the flats on our second trip. Still learning how best to drive it while towing.

So far, I've installed air bags in the rear suspension, installed a brake controller for the trailer, debadged all the awful gold badges and greased the rear drive shaft which got rid of the clunk temporarily, definitely needs it again.

Next up is an oil change and a transmission drain/fill, which leads to my second question:

- what happens when the transmission is overfilled? I tried to check a couple of times over the last couple of months, but was never satisfied that I was getting a good read on level, but last week I checked in our garage at stone cold and it looks like the dealer where we bought it (or the previous owner who traded it in) filled it to the hot mark but at cold conditions. What symptons do you get with an overfill so I can watch out for the changes when I drain/refill.

Thanks,

John

 

[uHu]

Best to check at normal operating temperature - more accurate - that's the Hot mark.
Also, remember to check with the engine running. (Wasn't obvious to me the first time w an auto)

 

[Marshmallow]

Best to check at normal operating temperature - more accurate - that's the Hot mark.
Also, remember to check with the engine running. (Wasn't obvious to me the first time w an auto)

Now that I know cold is showing overfull, I'll definitely double check it warmed up and running. My previous tries were hot/running, but I was getting fluid all over the stick and it was hard to read, so I just assumed it was operator error (yeah, I know, I can't run a dipstick for an automatic, its because I come from years of manual transmissions, oil level is easy to check in comparison).

I do have a hard shift from 3rd to 2nd under load (and sometimes from overdrive to 3rd), especially bad when towing, so I was wondering if an overfill was causing it, or if greasing the driveshafts again would fix it, or if its just something to live with.

John

 

[OregonLC]

Hard downshifts are subjective. How are the upshifts?

How far up the stick is it above hot full? 1/8"? 1/4"? 1/2"?

 

[uHu]

Don't know the petrol version (only driven manual petrols), but the HDJ with 4 speed box does not shift super smoothly. (The 5-sp is smooth tho'...)