So whats ther best way to change the auto transmission fluid in my truck. I have a 2003 7.3 PSD auto transmission. Should i have it flushed or just drop the pan an drain whats there. Just getting some ideas out there. Thanks for any help.
Most thorough is to drop the pan, drain the converter and drain the cooler.
A flush is supposed to be good but requires a machine and doesn't allow you to visually and sniff test the fluid.
Dropping the pan allows you to check for debris in the pan, check color and smell of fluid.
IF your torque converter has a drain plug, you can drain the fluid. Almost half the fluid sits in the converter and doesn't get changed unless you drain the converter or do a complete flush.
Many shops just drain the pan so that is the least effective method. A flush is probably as good as dropping the pan and draining the converter but like I said doesn't allow inspection.
All depends on how much work you can do and what you wnat to check for yourself.
With this article you can flush all of the fluid including the torque converter. There is no drain plug in your torque converter. There is an option in the write up that shows how to drop the pan and then you can do the inspection Jim talks about.
There is one thing that needs updating. The correct fluid is now MERCON V, not MERCON.
__________________ Mark
Former Ford automatic transmission engineer, 1988-2007.
I went to NAPA and spoke with two employees planning to do a ATF, drop the pan fluid change. They both agreed and gave me the ATF below and said that this is the best. Any thoughts?
I haven't used XCEL DX III-H/M ATF personally, but according to the PDF, it adhers to Mercon(unsure of #2 & #3) but not to Mercon #5. Xcel Mercon #5 complies to All Ford Specs.
I would grab your Owners manual and check for the spec sheet. You will see a Ford Engineering #, i.e (Ford M2C33-A/B; M2C138-CJ M2C166-H) Your rig seems to be powerful enough that I would run Mercon 5 and you plan on draining all fluid, so I would go that course.
If it's a dollar more a quart for Mercon V, I would spend a dollar more for it. I know that I used Mercon in my '92 5-speed, and every winter I had problems with 1st and 2nd gear not wanting to slid into gear. I switched over to Mercon 5, and the hard shifting finally eased up. If I have to drain the fluid out of my '92 AOD, I'm going to Mercon 5 as well. I have read stories of smoother shifting when going to this new spec. I talked to the Shop foreman and parts guys and they both said if you can afford a dollar or 2 more, Mercon 5 is a better choice if you are doing a full tranny service.
__________________
1992 F-150 I6 4.9L 300 110K 4x4, SuperCab, Manual
1992 F-150 V8 302 156K 4x4, SuperCab, Auto
"He's one brick shy of a load..."
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Last edited by timbersteel; 03-15-2011 at 10:27 AM.
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