Trans dipstick level

[MummifiedCircuitry]

My trans fluid reading on the dipstick (97 montero sr) has always been high for the past 5+ years and never experienced hard shifts or any issues. I decided to change my fluid with Mitsubishi SP-III today, and got 9 quarts because I read monteros take 17.8 pints (roughly 8.9 quarts). After draining the pan I started adding some fluid and after adding 7 quarts, I checked how much of the old fluid had come out by refilling the used containers and found only 5.5 quarts had come out. I know some fluid is held in the trans cooler and torque converter, but my question is should I drain 1.5 quarts out to match what i removed or leave it? I took it for a drive and it shifts just fine. Anybody else have their trans level show high on their dipstick? I checked my 98 montero thinking maybe the 97 had the wrong dipstick and that one reads the same too, about 2.5" above the high notch, see photo.

 

[Inyo_man]

If the Gen II Monteros are similar to the Gen III, you need to check the fluid level with the engine running.
Bring the motor to operating temp. (I usually take it for a drive.)
Run the transmission through all of the gears, return it to N, then check the fluid level while parked on a level surface.

To get all of the fluid out, the FSM (of the Gen. 3) has you pull the fluid line that feeds the cooler. By starting the motor in short bursts, the fluid is forced out.
Drain, fill, drain, fill, repeat until there is fresh, clean fluid coming out the the line.

Cheers

 

[Michael Brown]

I would also suspect that there is oil in the mechatronics unit and throughout the system. I would be inclined to set them to the dipstick level, as too much oil can damage the torque converter and cause foaming if it reaches the rotating assembly.

You do have to have the engine at idle once warmed when checking as Inyo mentioned. This will engage the oil pump and fill the torque converter. Check again before removing any fluid.

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

I chose not to pull the lower line to and run the vehicle to pump more fluid out, didnt have a good way to do it without making a mess. The picture is the level of the fluid with the vehicle warmed up and running and in park, also checked in neutral, that's where it shows on the dipstick. I've always known overfilled transmissions to cause issues, but like I said, it's always read high like that for over 5 years and the trans has been perfect.

 

[Salonika]

Here is where my level is at, sitting cold. Been this way for several years since my last fluid change. Zero transmission problems. It is higher than all the marks on the stick. 225k on original transmission. In fact just got done pulling a 3500lb camper 600 miles.

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

Here is where my level is at, sitting cold. Been this way for several years since my last fluid change. Zero transmission problems. It is higher than all the marks on the stick. 225k on original transmission. In fact just got done pulling a 3500lb camper 600 miles.

Thank you very much for the picture, both of my monteros have 224k and 208k on original transmissions with no issues too and dipstick readings very high like that, both shift super smooth and never had an AT light come on. I think if I drained it down to the high mark on the dipstick it would be low on fluid.