P38A Quick auto box service question

I never before owned a car with automatic transmission. I serviced the auto box on my 1999 green p38 (4.0 V8) today:
- drain fluid
- drop pan
- change filter
- reinstall pan
- fill fluid
- start car and go through gears
- top up fluid

Two things were very strange to me based on what I have read online before doing this. First of all, I only managed to put 2,9 litres in where people said to foresee 5-6. Then when rechecking fluid level a massive amount came pourinf out. Is this normal??? I have to admit I kept the car running for about 5-10min in Park whilst trying to jumpstart another one. Then let it sit for 10min before checking the level.

Just wanted to check with you guys if this is normal.

I believe you are meant to check the level with the engine running after cycling through the gears

Kev12 said:

I believe you are meant to check the level with the engine running after cycling through the gears

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Well that would explain it...

I checked the manual, you're right! You need to do that with the engine idling. Thanks!

Yep engine running, go through all the gears then check the level with it still running.
I use low box with the manual button pressed then you can actually engage each gear without moving

ar1g3 said:

Well that would explain it...

I checked the manual, you're right! You need to do that with the engine idling. Thanks!

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The engine and gearbox should also be cold when checking the level.

Rechecked it with cold engine and box and engine idling in Park today and poured another 4 litres in, so great succes! Thanks for the help!

Im going to print the manual because this is what happens when you ise your phone to read the manual.

ar1g3 said:

Rechecked it with cold engine and box and engine idling in Park today and poured another 4 litres in, so great succes! Thanks for the help!

Im going to print the manual because this is what happens when you ise your phone to read the manual.

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It might have helped flush out some of the old oil left in the torque converter so pretend it was a deliberate flushing ploy.

I need to do mine at some point soon. Did you have it up on a lift of some sort to get good access?

Grrrrrr said:

It might have helped flush out some of the old oil left in the torque converter so pretend it was a deliberate flushing ploy.

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I don't know what you're talking about, it WAS a 100% deliberate flushing ploy.

Andy Burrell said:

I need to do mine at some point soon. Did you have it up on a lift of some sort to get good access?

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I have a service pit, so good access. Definitely would not want to do this on my back on a stretcher! But otherwise it's pretty easy, of you follow the instructions.