4L80E fluid quantity.

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Pinger

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Replacing what you took out. . . who's to say it was right to begin with? That's why I go by the stick.

This is basically my school of thought as well.

Crossed my mind also. But it was running OK prior and I was in line with the GM manual....

For what it's worth (this may just confuse things further) my junkyard 4L80E didn't take as much as the factory service manual said it would after I swapped it into my red truck.

.....in line with the GM manual which appears to be wrong!

Going to pull a litre out of it see what that looks like on the stick.
Thanks all - your help and advice is appreciated and has helped me reach the decision I have.
 

df2x4

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.....in line with the GM manual which appears to be wrong!

If I had to guess I'd say they're not necessarily wrong, more that they can't guarantee how much fluid will remain in the trans when you drop the pan. With a brand new trans that's never been filled I bet their "overhaul" fill quantity is probably dead on.

Once again though, just a guess.
 

Pinger

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-282 Automatic Transmission - 4L80-E Transmission/Transaxle

Fluid Capacity (On-Vehicle)
Application Liters Gallons
Overhaul 12.8 13.5
Pan Removal 7.3 7.7

Type Recommended Dexron® III T2620
Fluid Capacity (Overhaul)

Liters Quarts
(approximate)
Dry 12.8 13.5
Oil Pan Removal 7.3 7.7

If I had to guess I'd say they're not necessarily wrong, more that they can't guarantee how much fluid will remain in the trans when you drop the pan. With a brand new trans that's never been filled I bet their "overhaul" fill quantity is probably dead on.

Once again though, just a guess.

They quote the same for both!
The 5.5l difference must be the TC and gearbox internals - but their idea of a TC flush is 2 quarts (admittedly a 'minimum' flush).
 

Supercharged111

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They quote the same for both!
The 5.5l difference must be the TC and gearbox internals - but their idea of a TC flush is 2 quarts (admittedly a 'minimum' flush).

TC flush is 2 gallons for this guy. If there's 13ish total you need to push at least 2 gallons through it to get it halfway clean.
 

Pinger

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TC flush is 2 gallons for this guy. If there's 13ish total you need to push at least 2 gallons through it to get it halfway clean.

Same here it seems - 6.5l (1.7 US gallons).


Pulled 0.5 - 075l out of it this morning. Now showing on the stick very very slightly over on the cold section with the oil still cold and the cooler still to be refilled. That'll do I think!

After all the faffing about, it transpires that the amount that was in it before draining was actually correct and that what comes out of a 4L80E pan is 5l not the 7.3l the GM manual suggests. Take note anyone on the verge of changing out their 4L80E fluid - or end up with a 2.3l over fill.....
 

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The service manual says 12.8 for OVERHAUL. Not 12.8 for a "complete" fluid change, which won't drain fluid from the valve body or the clutch packs, accumulator pistons, servos, etc.

If you have the correct dipstick, use it. Engine running, trans fully warmed-up, "Full" on the stick is "full".
 

Pinger

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The service manual says 12.8 for OVERHAUL. Not 12.8 for a "complete" fluid change, which won't drain fluid from the valve body or the clutch packs, accumulator pistons, servos, etc.

It was the 'pan' figure that created the confusion. See below - lifted directly from the GM manual. The trans only manual has the same figures.

-282 Automatic Transmission - 4L80-E Transmission/Transaxle

Fluid Capacity (On-Vehicle)
Application Liters Gallons
Overhaul 12.8 13.5
Pan Removal 7.3 7.7



If you have the correct dipstick, use it. Engine running, trans fully warmed-up, "Full" on the stick is "full".

Crossed my mind in all of this that the dipstick could be the wrong one - but unlikely. Dipstick is the measure to use - common consensus is that GM have got the pan figure wrong.
 

Supercharged111

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Mine was a complete overhaul. Still far short of 12.8 quarts.

Mine damn sure wasn't! I bit the bullet and filled it with Amsoil, 4 gallons wasn't cheap! I ended up dropping the pan to replace the trans harness so lost a little bit, but I drained it into a squeaky clean pan and reused that fluid so I didn't lose much at all. In the end I managed 1 leftover quart that's still in my underhood box from 2013.
 
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