So I have another 55,000 miles before my transmission is due for a service, but I was thinking about how I could go about doing that without paying for labor.

I remember reading awhile ago that the 5R110 requires a type of flush machine that will heat the clean fluid to 170 degrees or else the thermostat will stay closed and no fluid will circulate to the cooler, thus making the flush difficult.

But what about finding a way to heat the fluid at home? If I could theoretically heat the fluid to around 190 or so and pour it in as hot fluid was being pumped out, wouldn't everything come out okay? Or is there something I'm not thinking of here...

 

I'm no expert, but I don't see why that wouldn't work. What would you use to pump the fluid?

 

Interesting. The trans should be serviced every 30,000 miles.

You will need to warm the trans up to at least 175°F to start to be sure that the thermostat is open. Heating the fluid going in is the way to do it.

Here's how to do it for a 4R100: Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 transmission .: Articles

If you heat the trans and the new fluid, and use MERCON SP, you could use these instructions. The procedure is the same.

 

Supposedly there's a difference in the change interval between the trucks with the internal and external filter. My owner's guide states that those of us with the internal filter only have to change fluid every 60,000 miles. It's not very clear in the '08 guide, so I looked up the '09 guide as I believe '09 was the first model year to exclusively use the internal filter..





So the thermostat opens at 175, huh? I think this can be done. Has anyone done this before?

 

Crazy001,

Your wife is going to you when she catches you with all four burners going, cooking 20 quarts of Mercon SP in her biggest pots and pans.

 

Yes, not to mention the burn dangers of handling said hot fluid through kitchen, into garage, spills on honey's new tile in the laundry room ect ect ect.
Maybe just change half now, half later by simply draining and filling back up. You are replacing 50%, then second time 75%, if you are that resolved not to pay to use the heated flush.

 

It opens at 165°F. I added another 10 degrees to be sure that it is 100% open.

 

I want a pic or two of those boiling pots

 

Hah, you guys are funny!

Never thought too much about the logistics of heating and pouring 5 gallons of hot fluid, though. A thought that comes to mind are maybe an electric heating element in a 5-gallon bucket. I'd have to make sure my hand pump was rated for those temperatures...

Definitely wouldn't do it in the kitchen. You guys probably wouldn't see me around much after that...

 

use a deep fryer, propane burner, outside the garage..

Sam

 

Yea Sam is right "Outside the Garage" is definitely the key. I don't believe you want to burn down your house. I have had "Express Oil Change" flush the transmissions on a few vehicles in the past with positive results, and it was well worth the $80 something dollars.

 

So how much $$$ are we talking about saving to do it yourself versus having the dealership do it?

 

Sorry for the side comment but you say the tranny fluid should be changed every 30k but it says in the book or the post a couple below yours says 60k. Just curious.

 

Well, Mercon SP is $3.39 a quart at the local O'Reilly auto parts. So, less than $100 for parts, with tax...

I've seen people talking about paying upwards of $200 for the service at the dealer.

 

It's time to do the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms )on my 2005 F350 with it having 32K miles on the clock. I purchased the Mag-Hytec transmission cover (Part # F5R110W) with the intent of using the newer internal filter. To be honest, I don't know if it is worth the approximate $100.00 savings to do it myself... and I'm currently unemployed.

Is it worth it to you?