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4EAT ATF Level - Reading issue

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Old 14 June 2022 | 03:21 AM
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Hauntednsk
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Question 4EAT ATF Level - Reading issue

Guys,
I don't know what is wrong with me, but I cannot clearly see the reading of the ATF fluid level on the dipstick.
Every time I pull out the dipstick, I see that the fluid is smeared above the max level as on the images below, some times its lower the max, but there was no a single time when the level was shown clearly - I've tried to pull out the dipstick 100s of times...
So many Subie owners with 4EAT say that you should drain around 4qts of the ATF from the pan only, but I drained around 2 liters - put new ATF, 2 liters back - the images you can see below.
I added more to 3.7l (4qts) and checked again - the same thing, ATF fluid is smeared up to approx the same level, maybe a bit more.
So I have no idea with should I fill in 4qts or stick to 2 liters? I don't want to make the tranny fail.
I read somewhere that 4EAT pan is designed to hold 4qts, so why I drained 2l only?

Considering to remove the old ATF filter tomorrow, drain as much as I could with the filter removed and from the pan with the drain plug removed - will fill with 5.5 liters after, as all people do.

My mind is blowing. Please advise.

PS: Checking the level when the transmission is hot, on Parking and with an idling engine.



Last edited by Hauntednsk; 14 June 2022 at 04:49 AM.
Old 14 June 2022 | 08:21 AM
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AFAIK ATF fluid is usually dyed red - what brand have you put in your box??
From the photo it looks overfilled with something other than ATF
Due to the autoboxes complexity of valves and passages, you will only ever change a small proportion of the fluid content at any time.
You only add back what you drained not what other people have done.

From the workshop manual info supplied in your other thread



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Old 14 June 2022 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Don Clark
AFAIK ATF fluid is usually dyed red - what brand have you put in your box??
From the photo it looks overfilled with something other than ATF
Due to the autoboxes complexity of valves and passages, you will only ever change a small proportion of the fluid content at any time.
You only add back what you drained not what other people have done.
I put OEM Subaru ATF. It is actually red when I touch the dipstick.
Old 14 June 2022 | 06:25 PM
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Update.
I was advised to spray brake fluid on the dipstick, not just wipe with a cloth, so it dries it well - then to wipe with a cloth and check the ATF level.
I tried that and found almost no level on the dipstick, put OEM ATF HP 1 liter, drove 15km and checked again - the level was between min and max on the hot side. Thus, 3.1 liters were put so far. So I guess if I put 300 or 400ml more I should get the max level or juuust over it.
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