I have a 2005 F150 that has recently developed a leak from the front of the transmisison. Yesterday I noticed that it was slow to shift into gear from Park (fluid level is fine). On two occasions the transmission has slipped as it down shifted on an incline. Today my DW was driving and got a "Transmission Malfunction" message. Does anyone have any insight on this problem?
Ok, I have found what I believe to be the cause of the problem. The fluid level is too high! (I haven't figured out why yet, but that's another issue.) The obvious answer is to drain off a little fluid, but there is no drain plug and the manual says I have to take it to a dealer to drain the fluid.
Tha being said, I have two questions:
1. What is the down side to draining the fluid myself?
and:
2. Is there a way to drain fluid without dropping the pan?
First I wonder why the fluid is high (did someone add fluid for some reason)? Is it really high, or is it foaming? I had a transmission in a - gulp - chevy once. It was slipping real bad and the fluid read real high, but it was also foamy-looking. Turned out to be the tranny pan the previous owner put on was too deep for the factory filter and the tranny was sucking air bubbles. Just a thought.
As for removing some fluid...you can drop the pan and refill it, altho if ur suspecting problems, I'd prob leave that up to the dealer just so they can't pin it on you. I usually suck out the fluid thru the dipstick tube b4 I drop the pan. I use a pump I bought from Bass Pro for my old boat to suck the fluid out thru the dipstick tube. It was like $20 and runs off the vehicle's battery.
I added a pint of fluid last week because it was low. Now, it's high, and I can't explain it in any way other than my poor eyesight. It is showing high, but not foamy.
I tried getting the fluid out through the dip stick tube with a hand pump that I had in the shop, but it wouldn't pull it up. I'll have to get a longer tube on it in the morning and try again. If I have to drop the pan, so be it. The truck is out of warranty anyway, so I might as well give it a try myself.
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