Thanks for all the replies and info guys, very much appreciated. Wasn't being a smart tail about the bottle and hose down the fill tube. Really, stupid people don't think of stuff like that.

Will make sure to cycle through the gears when checking. Fortunately, the owners manual came with the truck. It's got good maintenance info. Got a Chilton's too, or whatever it is. Good to hear that I may not have damaged anything.

Some history - 295k miles, trans rebuilt at about 240k miles, truck purchased by me at about 280k, I've had it for 14 months now. Don't know if it was the first rebuild done at 240k, but hopefully I can get that many miles out of it.

Had a trans service done shortly after buying. Tech said fluid looked good, no metal in the pan, bands not too far out, everything was premo to him. I'll check the color of the fluid I drain.

As a side note, love the truck. I've had just about all of them. I have done just about everything that needed to be done to it with info gleaned from here - steering, brake, wheel, and driveline work - have the spring work left to do. These forums have been, what, indispensable? Essential to doing anything with it. So, very thankful this place exists. And a truck like this old Dodge of mine was ever made. If I had the money, shop, and space... I'd own more than one.

If anything else relevant goes on, I'll post up about it.

 

Wow, had my post edited. These are extremely 100% PG forums I gather, will keep it in mind. I had edited my own post, but I see no inference is preferred.

Drained a quart, took it to the transmission shop. They said the fluid looks and smells fine. Currently at what I would consider "warm" (can rub it between the fingers easily), it's right in the middle of the hash marks. This is after getting off the freeway for 7 miles at 70 mph. I checked it earlier after doing some in town driving (still warm) and it was right at the bottom of the hashes.

Going to check it again after I hit a long hard grade on a trip I have coming up, and will adjust accordingly. Transmission just doesn't get hot and with the extra fluid for the aux cooler, it's making things a big guessing game - not good.

Thanks again.

 

take a look in the second gen section about overfilling a 47rh!!

 

With the molten temps here in the Valley of Lava, my transmission has been able to come up closer to operating temp this summer. Read overfilled on the stick, by about a quart.

Stopped by a transmission shop, talked to the "guy". Inquired about overfilling causing damage to a A518 automatic. As far as he was concerned, it is a complete non-issue. He said there is an overflow... "port", outlet, something. If there is too much fluid it will spew out he said, not to worry. I can't remember the technical term for what he called it.

The reason I brought this topic up, is the dipstick and the owners manual both state 'do not overfill' as it will/could cause damage.

Anyone aware of a relief port like that? That would evacuate any excess fluid out onto the ground? Thanks

 

Dont forget to check it in neutral. Made the mistake of checking it in park and the reading is 2-3 quarts off. T.

 

Roger that, have to check it in neutral. Supposed to have it running in 1, 2, D, for a minute each, then put it in neutral and check, with the transmission at operating temp optimally.

Relief/overflow port anyone?

 

there is a vent in the top of the front pump. one can run it as full as one wants to when it gets too full it will blow it out the vent and make a heck of a mess. 40 years of rebuilding the chry. trans and NEVER seen one damaged by over filling. the argument will go on forever so i aint getting in to it. they will go up in smoke if not full enough

 

Greatly appreciate the info in all your posts Jughead. I will endeavor to never let it get low on fluid. And rest easy knowing as long as it's got enough or more fluid it's fine. Thanks for confirming the vent.

Near as I can tell this automatic lasted 250k before it needed a rebuild 45k ago. If it lasts that long again, good.