General Maintenance Discoveries
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
General Maintenance Discoveries
Probably nothing new to some---might be helpful to others though....
Recently had to drain the radiator and naturally the plasitc plug broke when I gently (I swear!) tightened it, thought I was in for all sorts of aggravation. Discovered along with the 3/4" wrench/socket flats a 5/16" (or 8MM) hex wrench can be fitted inside the plug body. This made replacing it very simple----a great idea and no doubt planned for given the material selection and where its used. Ford p/n FOAZ-8115-A, MSRP $7.79
Also: Changing trans fluid and all was going well---until I found an extra part in the pan! Perplexed what it could be, from where it fell out of the valve body--I was panicing! Eventually discovered this is simply a plug trans rebuilders use but is dislodged during the first fluid fill but never removed. Of course after learning what the part was I remembered this trans had indeed been warranty replaced some miles ago. The scary thing is the fluid hasn't been changed in over 5 or 6 years, no more than 8K miles though.
Anyway thought this might be info to put in the memory banks for us DIY'ers. I'll also post this info in the individual specific misc forums.
HTH
Recently had to drain the radiator and naturally the plasitc plug broke when I gently (I swear!) tightened it, thought I was in for all sorts of aggravation. Discovered along with the 3/4" wrench/socket flats a 5/16" (or 8MM) hex wrench can be fitted inside the plug body. This made replacing it very simple----a great idea and no doubt planned for given the material selection and where its used. Ford p/n FOAZ-8115-A, MSRP $7.79
Also: Changing trans fluid and all was going well---until I found an extra part in the pan! Perplexed what it could be, from where it fell out of the valve body--I was panicing! Eventually discovered this is simply a plug trans rebuilders use but is dislodged during the first fluid fill but never removed. Of course after learning what the part was I remembered this trans had indeed been warranty replaced some miles ago. The scary thing is the fluid hasn't been changed in over 5 or 6 years, no more than 8K miles though.
Anyway thought this might be info to put in the memory banks for us DIY'ers. I'll also post this info in the individual specific misc forums.
HTH
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
The best thing about the trans plug was after it hits the pan it can't really go anywhere. Can't be sucked into the pick up tube in the filter and no moving parts for it to touch either. A loose washer in a head is a whole other thing though----glad it didn't do any damage!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
When I first bought my motorhome back in 2000, I did a trans. flush and pan drop, when dropping the pan, I found that little plug..... the camper was 13 years old in 2000 and had 76k *towing* miles on the original fluid....
And last year, bought a 1989 F150, did a trans. flush/pan drop as well, and also found that same plug in that tranny as well, truck was 21 years old, and had 57k original miles, on the original fluid....
And last year, bought a 1989 F150, did a trans. flush/pan drop as well, and also found that same plug in that tranny as well, truck was 21 years old, and had 57k original miles, on the original fluid....
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Wow on both those vehicles John! Have there been any problems with the tranny's after changing the fluid after so long and that many miles? I ask because so often refreshing trans fluid in older or abused auto transmissions problems or complete failures seem to happen, perhaps as a direct result of new fluid itself.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Nope, infact both have been operating like new before and since!
The camper had 78k miles before it's first ever fluid change (yeah pretty bad) and the oil was pretty nasty black to. I've been flushing it every single year ever since, and dropping the pan changing the filter every 2 years, and never had a problem with it! Now at 157k miles shes still pulling that 12,000lbs camper around.
The truck, the flush really didn't make any difference, it was operating like new before and after the first flush. Infact, that 21 year old fluid still looked pretty nice and red. Not clear red like it's supose to, but didn't smell bad, and wasn't black.
I'll never understand why people maintain there engines so well, like changing the oil when it's do, but never heard of doing tranny, diffential, transfer case, etc. flushes?
The camper had 78k miles before it's first ever fluid change (yeah pretty bad) and the oil was pretty nasty black to. I've been flushing it every single year ever since, and dropping the pan changing the filter every 2 years, and never had a problem with it! Now at 157k miles shes still pulling that 12,000lbs camper around.
The truck, the flush really didn't make any difference, it was operating like new before and after the first flush. Infact, that 21 year old fluid still looked pretty nice and red. Not clear red like it's supose to, but didn't smell bad, and wasn't black.
I'll never understand why people maintain there engines so well, like changing the oil when it's do, but never heard of doing tranny, diffential, transfer case, etc. flushes?
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New User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Wilmington
Trans Plug
My understanding of the trans plug is that it is used during manufacturing - so all of our transmissions should have one of these plugs unless the pan was dropped and the plug is removed.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
That might be Adair----this was the first time I'd ever encountered such a thing in over 40 years of driving. Its quite possible most of my new-to-me vehicles had it removed already or this was a new practice within the past 20 years or so. The mechanic I talked with made a point of saying it was from a rebuilt trans which makes just a bit of sense. A new vehicle wouldn't be prone to dust or debris falling into the fill hole given a clean factory; a rebuilt trans might sit around for a while before its sold or installed leaving more of a chance of contamination.
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I highly doubt that putting new fluid into a transmission that didn't have its fluid changed often enough or ever, will cause a failure. More likely a case of too little, too late.
Then of course there is me, who make sure that my wifes Freestar received a fluid change every spring prior to towing our pop up trailer and at 200,000 KM it is now acting up.
Then of course there is me, who make sure that my wifes Freestar received a fluid change every spring prior to towing our pop up trailer and at 200,000 KM it is now acting up.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
In more extreme situations of trans abuse or lack of maintenance its fairly well known changing fluid and more importantly a complete trans flush and refill does seem to accelerate failure. This stems from the new fluid essentially dissolving accumulated and built up gunk that had been essentially keep it working. It does seem improbable but numerous mechanics have shared with me this isn't as rare a happening as one might think.
Mr Silver as you mention careful attention to the proper maintenance for your driving patterns is the best way to assure a long life of all components, transmissions being one of them. 300K + miles should be a normal life with proper care. Good on ya for keeping yours up!
Mr Silver as you mention careful attention to the proper maintenance for your driving patterns is the best way to assure a long life of all components, transmissions being one of them. 300K + miles should be a normal life with proper care. Good on ya for keeping yours up!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
JWA, you nailed it!
And to add, alot of people do this... many without even realizing it, "Rolling Shifts". That also kills trannys, it burns out the clutchs.
A "Rolling Shift" is when you for example, back of your driveway in Reverse, then without coming to a complete stop, shift down in Drive, or vise versa!
It use to happen to me once in a while to do that, but ever since I educated my self on this, I ALWAYS make sure I come completely stopped before shifting!
Another thing is getting proper cooling for your auto transmission, witch again I didn't think much of it before, until I got educated on it.
That would explain why ALOT of older trucks even cars, their trannys didn't live as long as they should, they didn't have aux. tranny coolers!
And to add, alot of people do this... many without even realizing it, "Rolling Shifts". That also kills trannys, it burns out the clutchs.
A "Rolling Shift" is when you for example, back of your driveway in Reverse, then without coming to a complete stop, shift down in Drive, or vise versa!
It use to happen to me once in a while to do that, but ever since I educated my self on this, I ALWAYS make sure I come completely stopped before shifting!
Another thing is getting proper cooling for your auto transmission, witch again I didn't think much of it before, until I got educated on it.
That would explain why ALOT of older trucks even cars, their trannys didn't live as long as they should, they didn't have aux. tranny coolers!
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Fleet Owner
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Another thing I learned over time is an improved shift kit like offered by B&M Transmissions were clutch savers too. Making the shifts more firm and quick didn't really snap ones neck like a full race transmission might but it was noticeable and honestly felt very good. Since there was less designed clutch slipping between shifts it followed wear was lessened too.
Of course this was before electronic shifting became almost standard in auto trans but today there are tuners and programmers who can fine tune nearly every shift parameter there is---Mike @ 5 Star Tuning comes immediately to mind.
My own '00 E250 is pushing 254K miles and I've changed fluid/filter twice so far---25K miles and no more. When its time for a new engine/trans better cooling will be part of that process as it can't hurt.
Good points John----thanks!
Of course this was before electronic shifting became almost standard in auto trans but today there are tuners and programmers who can fine tune nearly every shift parameter there is---Mike @ 5 Star Tuning comes immediately to mind.
My own '00 E250 is pushing 254K miles and I've changed fluid/filter twice so far---25K miles and no more. When its time for a new engine/trans better cooling will be part of that process as it can't hurt.
Good points John----thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
The only older auto trannys that come to mind that are built up to last long from the factory (given proper cooling ofcourse) is the Ford C6, GM TH400, and Chrysler 727 4 speed.
Both C6 and TH400 are 3 speeds and quick/firm shifters from the factory.
Both C6 and TH400 are 3 speeds and quick/firm shifters from the factory.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I hope we're not talking too old school on the subject of awesome auto trans!
Agree fully the C6 & TH400 were/are amazing in their performance and durability----assuming they're well maintained of course. Being typically installed in trucks and big horsepowered cars they were tough to beat in a lot of ways. You could certainly feel the difference--to me the C4's and TH350's in stock configuration seemed to slide from one shift to the next, never really holding a forced manual downshift either. By comparision the others almost "slammed" up and down, held the downshifts very well---all around a great seat-of-the-pants feeling.
On another note before learning of 5 Star Tuning I contacted B&M Transmissions about a shift improver kit for my '00 4R70W only to learn they couldn't yet get one to work with the ECM past 1999---kept throwing codes as though it were malfunctioning. Of course someone extremely well versed in any auto trans could change internal components to provide more crisp shifts but it seems the 5 Star Tuning programs has vast control over many parameters once accessible only by changing hard parts.
Thanks again John------appreciate the walk down memory lane!
Agree fully the C6 & TH400 were/are amazing in their performance and durability----assuming they're well maintained of course. Being typically installed in trucks and big horsepowered cars they were tough to beat in a lot of ways. You could certainly feel the difference--to me the C4's and TH350's in stock configuration seemed to slide from one shift to the next, never really holding a forced manual downshift either. By comparision the others almost "slammed" up and down, held the downshifts very well---all around a great seat-of-the-pants feeling.
On another note before learning of 5 Star Tuning I contacted B&M Transmissions about a shift improver kit for my '00 4R70W only to learn they couldn't yet get one to work with the ECM past 1999---kept throwing codes as though it were malfunctioning. Of course someone extremely well versed in any auto trans could change internal components to provide more crisp shifts but it seems the 5 Star Tuning programs has vast control over many parameters once accessible only by changing hard parts.
Thanks again John------appreciate the walk down memory lane!