Adding transmission fluid after the Tranmission service should I be worried ?

I took my 2011 2552 to a Ford dealer for a 30K Tranmission service, fluid exchange filter change and inpeciton, I also had them service the differencial and check the brakes. I picked it up after about 4 hours and 560.00 later. I looked under the rig to check for leaks but did not check the the Tranmission dip stick. I drove the rig about 100 miles and checked the Tranmission dip stick and did not see any fluid on the sick, So I added about 1/4 a quart of Tranmission fluid, I repeated this action every 100 miles until I was 3 full quarts added and still did not any fluid on the dip stick. I’m thinking the tech working on my rig shorted the required amount needed for service. I will call the Ford Dealer tomorrow and speck with the manager to find out how much was added. I am worried about damage if the there was not enough fluid in the tranny for last 300 or 400 miles of travel. I can now  finally see a bit of fluid on the stick after 3 and 1/4 quarts of fluid added. Should I be worried ?

Quick check seems to put the capacity of the transmission at around 17 qts,  so 3 quarts down should not be a death sentence.  The color of the fluid will quickly tell you if heat damage has occurred. If it gets brown or black, worry.

Sloppy work from the dealer, however. I bet you check EVERTHING before leaving next time. 

Not trying to question your knowledge,  but did you check with the motor running?  If not , I think you will get an erroneous indication.  Also an overkill of fluid can be a serious problem as well.

Larry

Not trying to question your knowledge,  but did you check with the motor running?  If not , I think you will get an erroneous indication.  Also an overkill of fluid can be a serious problem as well.

Larry

GOOD POINT!!

It will read 'higher' (ie: tell you its full when it is low) when you check with the engine stopped.   Maybe thats what the tech did, and the stick read 'full' when it really wasnt.   

Did they do a hot flush?  If they did it should be exact when checked hot, engine running. If they did not do a hot flush they only changed out a portion of the old fluid. A hot flush costs roughly 200 at a ford dealership.

I called the Ford Dealer who did the work and let him know as of today I have added 4.2 quarts of fluid in slow progression 1/8 to 1/4 quart at a time with frequent dip stick checks running hot and after cycling through all the gears. I’m still not seeing any fluid at the bottom of the stick running hot. But know as of today I do see some on the stick when the engine is cold and not running. The dealer told me the machine they use during the hot flush has been causing them problems in the past on putting back the correct amount of fluid and thinks the calibration was off. No ones seems to know how much fluid was put back in. The fluid is of normal color and without odor my plann is keep adding back slow with a hot engine after running through the gears to get a accurate reading on the dip stick. I so disappointed In this dealers work. And not telling to about the trouble with there hot flush machine. It’s a good thing I do my pretrip check list and found it low

WOW.

They are having known problems with the flush machine refilling vehicles.  And they dont do a check of the dipstick before letting the vehicle out of the bay.    I am so fortunate not to have to go to other shops.

I drove the rig about 100 miles and checked the Tranmission dip stick and did not see any fluid on the sick, So I added about 1/4 a quart of Tranmission fluid, I repeated this action every 100 miles until I was 3 full quarts added and still did not any fluid on the dip stick.

Out of curiosity, why are you running it so long between small additions of fluid instead of just filling it once? Just me, but I would not be running the rig down the road AT ALL until I knew the fluid was correct. Or close even... but not touching the stick?!?!? You are braver than I am.

You may want to be careful what you say to this dealer in case the tranny does have problems. The fact that you drove it several hundred miles without the dipstick showing correct level, and did so knowingly, may not reflect well in a court proceeding. (Adding a 1/4 quart every 100 miles, and adding 3 quarts total = drove it 1200 miles not even touching the stick?!?!)

Good Point, Some lessons learned the hard way I guess.. I do have the issue on recorded with the dealer and there Quality Control Rep. And I have put them on notice that everything has been documented, So if any further problems do occur. They will be hearing from me. I’m hoping for the best and will be keeping a close eye on it.

If the fluid is clean, I wouldnt worry. But it is a wakeup call for those who trust the 'professionals' to do a good job.

Well, now you know why the rule is to check the dip stick on oil or anything you have had done before you drive off the lot. And you have to know that someone did not fill the transmission.

This is not a guessing game. I hope you call and ask the Manager to explain why nothing shows any fluid on the dip stick > Then shut up and let him explain.  And what did the joker do with the fluid he was supposed to check out to put in the unit or did her "Forget". That is a big error and a very expensive loss when this kind of screw up is done.

I had BMW service tech do similar with oil change. . Not sure how they figured out not enough put in but someone called me same day about the error. I came by for the finish and never
been back.     This is a giant error.  Guess we need to know which dealer so we are all aware .  Good luck. P

Update. I think I have finally reached the correct dip stick reading. after almost 6 quarts in. Now I have to do some research on what damage could have been done to my transmission with only 5 or so quarts in the tranny when picked up my rig at the Westlie Ford Super Duty Service Center in Minot ND. As I understand it the correct amount in the tranny is 11-12 quarts. so I was 5 or 6 quarts low when I picked it up. I have been slowly adding so I do not over fill due to the fact I did not know how much was really in the tranny to begin with. I would go here. very poor work

Update. I think I have finally reached the correct dip stick reading. after almost 6 quarts in. Now I have to do some research on what damage could have been done to my transmission with only 5 or so quarts in the tranny when picked up my rig at the Westlie Ford Super Duty Service Center in Minot ND. As I understand it the correct amount in the tranny is 11-12 quarts. so I was 5 or 6 quarts low when I picked it up. I have been slowly adding so I do not over fill due to the fact I did not know how much was really in the tranny to begin with. I would go here. very poor work

Where did you source the 11-12 quarts capacity? For a 5R110W transmission (which I think you have...open for correction...) I am finding a TOTAL capacity of 17-19 qts for a total refill after rebuild/hotflush  and 8 qts from a pan drop refill. 

IMO, if the fluid is clean, you are OK. Heat is the most critical factor, and the color of the fluid is a good 'tattletale'.  Not sure how one would 'research' what else went wrong inside without a teardown.  Fortunately you have a 'dirt common' tranny, and not hard to find replacements. So the 'worst case' scenario isnt all that bad, although not pleasant either!!!

I am with HenryJ on this one also - CHECK YOUR LEVELS after someone has been working on your rigs powertrain. I do think that your caution to avoid overfilling was good, but the way you went about it I would not advise anyone to follow. Driving the rig AT ALL when the fluid doesnt show on the stick does not strike me as a good idea. Far from. I would be easily convinced driving over a thousand miles with low fluid could be more damaging than the initial under fill.    Chalk this one up to tuition towards your degree at 'The School of Hard Knocks' and carry on. 

Yes I totally  agree I should not have driven the rig until it was filled to the correct level. The level on the stick is now where it should be and there is no discoloration or order. I hope I got lucky and  I do believe l was wrong on the amount of fluid, My research confirmed your 17-19 quarts suggested. I only can only hope for the best and hopeI I get lucky with no further issues thanks. For all the inputs