Hi guys,

I have a 2001 F-150 with an automatic transmission that is slipping on occasion when going up hill or when pulling a trailer. I read in an old post that getting the transmission flushed may solve the problem by getting junk out of the filter. I called a mechanic today that said he could drop the pan, and change the filter but that will only get some of the fluid out not all of it. He told me of another place close by that will do a complete flush. He told me that if the transmission hasn't been service like it should then a flush or a change of fluid could cause it to slip worse. He said that old fluid will have a lot of particles in it that can be helping with the friction. He said on occasion changing the fluid may make it slip worse and then you have to get a tow truck to go home.

To be honest I haven't serviced the transmission like I should have and now there is 150k miles on it. I am trying to decide if I should wait until I have the money for a new transmission just in case it all goes bad. I can't go without a transportation. I was wondering what other people on the forum think.

 

DO NOT FLUSH it will stir up the junk in the bottom of the pan and on the magnet. Killing your tranny in a few months. Drop the pan,drain the torque converter,clean the magnet,put a new filter in. Done. It may be too late to save your tranny as you waited til it started acting up to sevice it...

 

If it's slipping, changing fluid is not gonna help ya. Better off saving the money on fluid and putting it towards a rebuild or replacement. Maybe try putting some Lucas in, but odds are that's not gonna do anything either. How bad is it slipping? If it's not terrible, get it in a shop and get the trans out and apart right now! Fixing one slipping clutch pack or even do an overhaul is a lot cheaper when you do it before catastrophic failure occurs. Then you might have to buy hard parts like gears and drums or a valve body, all of which might still be saveable now. If the money just isn't there right now, take it very, very easy and you can keep the damage to a minimum, maybe. And when you get it fixed or replaced, be sure you replace the transmission cooler, and depending on how much you tow, look at getting a transmission temperature guage installed. Heat is the #1 enemy and cause of transmission failure; control it, and longevity increases by far.

 

Do the "poor man" flush like I did. I found the procedures here doing a search. All it will cost you is a case of fluid, a piece of hose, filter kit, and a couple of hours. I also put in the Lucas additive. Our truck had a "slight" slip going into second as described by my son who drives it. He's been driving it 1.5 years since. Might buy you as much time. Good luck.