Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Trans fluid change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 12:42 AM
  #1  
slomafarms's Avatar
slomafarms
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Denmark,WI
Trans fluid change

my 01 scab has about 130,000mi on the clock and ive been thinking about doing a trans fluid change because i dont know if its ever been done. the fluid is still the correct color/smell. still shifts good. all i plan to do is drop the pan, drain the converter, new filter. anyone got any thoughts on this?
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 01:39 PM
  #2  
Bluegrass 7's Avatar
Bluegrass 7
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
Alls good except the converter likely has no drain plug.
You need to have a machine flush or try to run 'most' of it out through the line going 'to' the radiator while the engine is idleing.
Total specified volume minus Pan amount is what's left in the converter, lines and radiator cooler.
You may not get it all out especially the radiator.
The machine flush accounts for it all by total volume and flow through the whole system.
Then if you want to drop the pan, save the new fluid and replace the filter, your all good to go.
The correct level on the dip stick is in a fully hot idle condition.
Good luck.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 01:45 PM
  #3  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
Try looking in the "Transmission" section of the forum....
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 08:06 PM
  #4  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
my 2001 has a converter drain plug. the 2002 does not... If it has a plug, you can get another 8 quarts out of the converter. THE pan will have 5 quarts.. I would vote against a POWER flush that can loosen up all kinds or crud and pump it into the valve body. Drain what you can and move on.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 10:45 PM
  #5  
slomafarms's Avatar
slomafarms
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Denmark,WI
i would never do a "power flush"... that can really mess things up. ill tackle it and go from there
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2011 | 03:49 PM
  #6  
CollinF's Avatar
CollinF
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by slomafarms
my 01 scab has about 130,000mi on the clock and ive been thinking about doing a trans fluid change because i dont know if its ever been done. the fluid is still the correct color/smell. still shifts good. all i plan to do is drop the pan, drain the converter, new filter. anyone got any thoughts on this?
Clean the magnet too
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2011 | 10:47 PM
  #7  
Podaso's Avatar
Podaso
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Agreed. Avoid the power flush, drain what's possible (with or without a converter plug) and call it good.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2011 | 09:48 AM
  #8  
Fedds3.0's Avatar
Fedds3.0
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
I dropped the pan on my 2004 heritage at 30k and could not beleive how much metal "slime" there was. You know, that metal ultra fine sluge. Wiped it all out, replaced the filter, and topped it back off. Mine does not have the drain plug on the t/c, and I didn't like the idea of running the tranny dry to try and get the rest out. If the fluid looks good I wouldn't worry about getting it all out. I would drop the pan though and clean it.

I did it again at 60k and there was nearly no sluge in the bottom this time. I guess it's just a break in issue. Than again, my forward planetary gear set shattered at 130k, so maybe it was crap to begin with.

Also, don't be freaked out if you find a yellow plug with an o-ring in the bottom of the pan. I thought it was a valve piston. It's the plug for the dip stick tube. Once the tranny and engine are joint and in the truck, they just stab the hole with the filler tube and push the plug into the pan. Trying to figure out where the little b@st@rd came from was an hour wasted under the truck.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Apr 19, 2011 | 10:47 PM
  #9  
cv18sro's Avatar
cv18sro
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
My 2001 had a drain plug also Bluegrass is mistaken.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2011 | 12:25 AM
  #10  
slomafarms's Avatar
slomafarms
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Denmark,WI
what are the chances of things getting messed up afterwards? like i said, shifts great, fluid is correct color/smell...
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2011 | 05:41 AM
  #11  
ntstock93's Avatar
ntstock93
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Change the fluid.
The fluid in my truck was never changed before I bought it at 133k miles. I put in about half a can of the seafoam trans cleaner in the transmission and drove about 50 miles. Changed the fluid. Shuddering went away and no problems since. Drove it 20k in the past year and I tow a boat in the summer.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mps_987
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jul 19, 2021 07:16 PM
B 3000
Escape & Escape Hybrid
3
Feb 18, 2010 06:41 PM
fkaster01
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Mar 31, 2009 03:36 PM
crazer42
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Mar 26, 2009 03:54 PM
priv8pilot
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Nov 18, 2006 08:56 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:45 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE