I have not heard any good word about doing a transmission flush so I thought I would drop the pan, remove only the fluid that runs out, clean and replace the pan and then just add the same amount of new fluid that drained out.

Any thoughts

 

By doing that you will be leaving the bulk of the old fluid in place. Why not drain it out of the torque converter as well? Most Ford autos have a converter drain bung.
There is a great article here, under Articles/Specs at the top of the page, for flushing the system yourself (E4OD and 4R100). Unfortunately I can`t link it to you as that button is not working for me.

 

On the Aerostar forum there is a procedure for a "gentle flush". It involves starting with a pan-drop/fluid replacement, then drive it around for a few miles to get the fluid circulated. Then drain as much fluid as you can through one of the cooling lines, replace the same amount, then repeat until the full capacity, about10-12 quarts, has been run through.

For the Aerostars, only the very early models had drain plugs in the torque converter, so this was the only way to do a more thorough flush of the transmission without going to those places that offer "power flushing", what have been known to damage transmissions.

 

Thanks Lazy K, I will check that out.

Thanks xlt4wd90, I will read up on a gentle flush.

 

Drop the pan, change filter etc.

Reinstall pan, fill back up to capacity.

Start 'er up and let 'er run for a couple minutes.

Now get a 5 gallon bucket and a piece of rubber hose.

Disconnect the trans feed line from the radiator (or aux cooler) and shove on the rubber line on that and aim the rubber line in the bucket. Tape the line to the lip of the bucket so it doesn't come out while it's flushing.

(to find the feed line, disconnect both lines to the radiator and start the engine for a second, witch ever line squirts out fluid is your feed line.)

Give a couple shots of compressed air through the radiator (or aux. cooler) to send all the old fluid and crap out of that and back to the transmission.


Put a good funnel on the transmission dipstick tube.


Now prepare at least 10 *OPEN* quarts of ATF ready, at easy hand reach.


Fire the engine up, and start pouring the ATF down the dipstick tube, and don't stop! As much fluid will be coming out as you are putting in.


When the fluid coming out and dumping into the bucket looks as nice and clean as the fluid you are dumping in, stop the engine.

Reconnect the feed line to the radiator (or aux. cooler). Make sure BOTH lines are well connected.

Start up engine and check level. Add as needed. Make sure level is correct.

Go for a good drive, when you get back, check level again and your done!



Simple as that! I do it every single year on my motorhome.

It's a good idea to be 2 people doing this, one sitting in the drivers seat of the vehicle waiting for commands by the person doing the work outside, just incase something happens that you need to turn off the engine quickly. You don't want your transmission to run dry.

 

Thanks, IDIDieselJohn for the step by step. I will try it.

Harley