Transmission Fluid Change
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Transmission Fluid Change
Need Help! '93 Aerostar 4.0L 128 K miles.Transmission fluid is brown, smells a little burnt. Calling around to get a price on changing all the fluid + filter I got a price as high as $212 @ a dealer, lowest being $118 from Jiffy Lube. My problem is I was told by a reputable transmission shop I called in my area that I should not change it. Reason being that I could start having problems that are not showing up with the old fluid. That new fluid would act like a detergent. Was told that it would be bad just to change the filter only because I would have to add about 3 qts of new fluid and that small amount could cause problems. Anyone out there ever heard anything like this. I don't know where to go from here. Would like to keep from having it go up on me. I bought it used @ around 100K Miles and don't know when it was last changed.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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Transmission Fluid Change
If you are not having any problems now, then changing your own filter and fluid are not going to cause any "new" problems. The most common mistake is not adding enough fluid back after the filter change. The system is exquisitely sensitive to proper fluid levels, such that even a partial quart underfill will cause it to shift strangely. I find the dipstick very difficult to read after adding fluid. Residual fluid in the tube tends to produce false readings.
It is true the entire system holds approximately 12 quarts and you only exchange about 1/3 of that with a filter/fluid change. Again, unless you are experiencing problems, change it yourself now and then again in 6 months if the fluid is still distinctly brown. Transmission fluid can appear reddish-brown in color and still be in acceptable condition. That clean, red color of new fluid does not last long once in the transmission.
If you have never done a filter/fluid change, having a plastic tarp draped over a rectangle of 2x4's makes a handy sump in case that pan suddenly drops- those 3-4 quarts suddenly seem like the Hoover Dam let go on you.
Good luck!
It is true the entire system holds approximately 12 quarts and you only exchange about 1/3 of that with a filter/fluid change. Again, unless you are experiencing problems, change it yourself now and then again in 6 months if the fluid is still distinctly brown. Transmission fluid can appear reddish-brown in color and still be in acceptable condition. That clean, red color of new fluid does not last long once in the transmission.
If you have never done a filter/fluid change, having a plastic tarp draped over a rectangle of 2x4's makes a handy sump in case that pan suddenly drops- those 3-4 quarts suddenly seem like the Hoover Dam let go on you.
Good luck!
