TH350 fluid question

[Green Monster]

I had to drop the trans to install the transfer case, so of course a lot of fluid came out the tail shaft. Reinstalled and there was fluid in the pan (up to the dipstick). I started it today and let it warm up. Checked it after a couple of minutes and it was barely on the dipstick. Added a half quart. Put it in drive and the transfer case wasn't spinning (no driveshafts). Added another couple of quarts as it was getting warm. Put it in drive again and it was spinning the cv/u joints. Checked it and it was still a little low. Added another quart and it was at the right level. Three and a half quarts total. Think I did any damage to the trans, idling and warming up with it that low?

 

[diesel4me]

Doubt it....that 3.5 qts you added was about the same amount you'd drain if the pan was removed during a filter change..


Many times after you install a transmission "empty" the usual procedure is to dump in about 5 qts,start it up for a short run,about 20 seconds,and check the dipstick,keep adding more until its above "add",which varies due to the depth of the pan,etc,usually about 10 qts is required..(so you still had about 7 qts in it)..

If anything was run dry and damaged you'd hear the pump whining or other disturbing noises..
I like having the rear wheels off the ground while filling the transmission,so you can run it in reverse,first gear,then second,drive,to make it easier on the clutches till it bleeds all the air out of the system..often the fluid level drops some after running it through the gears with the wheels spinning..

 

[Green Monster]

Doubt it....that 3.5 qts you added was about the same amount you'd drain if the pan was removed during a filter change..


Many times after you install a transmission "empty" the usual procedure is to dump in about 5 qts,start it up for a short run,about 20 seconds,and check the dipstick,keep adding more until its above "add",which varies due to the depth of the pan,etc,usually about 10 qts is required..(so you still had about 7 qts in it)..

If anything was run dry and damaged you'd hear the pump whining or other disturbing noises..
I like having the rear wheels off the ground while filling the transmission,so you can run it in reverse,first gear,then second,drive,to make it easier on the clutches till it bleeds all the air out of the system..often the fluid level drops some after running it through the gears with the wheels spinning..

Thanks.....and wow, I didn't know they held that much! Seemed perfectly fine once I got the other couple of quarts in, so I just wanted to double check with a pro. Thanks again.