Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

4R100 trans question:

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:35 AM
  #1  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

Wink 4R100 trans question:

-Just completed my swap/install of the 6.0 26 row cooler, AND serviced my transmission by draining the pan, cleaning the pan, changing the filter, draining the converter, AND putting in Castrol Mercon V full synthetic fluid.
-Everything went well with the swap/install THANKS TO Woodnthings8 for the GREAT write up!!!! (I think he is a member here??)
Anyway I'm wondering aprox how many miles I should run before changing the fluid again? my mileage is about 75% empty and 25% towing light to medium loads....
I have just driven my truck around the block a couple of times and even that short distance it seems to shift better and smoother, its only got 104k well taken care of non-abusive miles on it.

Thanks for any & all suggestions guys!
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:43 AM
  #2  
mueckster's Avatar
mueckster
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 24
From: Damon (South East Texas)
The factory recommended interval is 30,000 miles. I stay with that number, even though I use full synthetic ATF, also. I don't rack up that many miles a year, so I it would be serviced about every 1-1/2 to 2 yrs.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:50 AM
  #3  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

-Good Point!! the PO of my truck had just had the trans serviced when I bought it 4 years ago at 70k, its got 104k on it now, and I'm 99% sure he had them use standard Mercon fluid-it never looked dirty or discolored on the dipstick but I was surprised at the color when I drained it-looked a bit dirtier than I would have liked, inside of pan was VERY clean, and I don't think it had ever been off before!
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 09:00 AM
  #4  
tdpower's Avatar
tdpower
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2
If you only drained the pan and torque converter you only did a partial change. The system holds about 18 quarts. If so you would also be mixing the synthetic fluid with the standard. There is a write-up for flushing out the system completely but don't have the link saved. I think Mark wrote the procedure but not for sure. If you only did the partial flush you probably want to lower the service interval.

edit: here is the procedure I was thinking of: https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 09:29 AM
  #5  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,705
Likes: 2,626
From: SE Florida
Originally Posted by tdpower
I think Mark wrote the procedure but not for sure. If you only did the partial flush you probably want to lower the service interval.

edit: here is the procedure I was thinking of: Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 transmission .: Articles
Yes, I wrote that procedure.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 10:37 AM
  #6  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

Guys, I'm sure I didn't get 100% of my old fluid out.
I have a 16 quart oil change container and started with is completely empty.
I drained the pan, removed it, drained whatever was still inside it.
I drained the converter completely.
I swapped in a 6.0 cooler.
I put in 16 quarts of fluid and my dipstick reads full. there couldn't have been much in the lines left or in the other parts of the transmission.
Mark, Your write up is GREAT, I've seen it, but I am not a fan of flushing.
-When all was said & done my 16 quart container was full to the brim.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 07:11 PM
  #7  
Stewart_H's Avatar
Stewart_H
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Supercab
but I am not a fan of flushing.
Huh?

You just did a flush by removing the old fluid (albeit not all of it) and put new fluid in. That's all Mark's procedure does, except it uses the transmissions own pump (the same pump that circulates your fluid right now) to help with the exchange of fluid.

So, except for the transmission pump helping you with the exchange/transfer of fluid, how is it different than what you did?

Stewart
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 07:48 PM
  #8  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

I guess I was referring to the high pressure flushing that the commercial places do, and NOT to Mark's method. I guess I didn't realize that Mark's method uses the transmission's own pump do do the flushing.
I am from the old school and have been doing trans service like I did mine here for many many years w/o problems, not that the new ways aren't good too, I just like the feeling of a nice clean pan and filter and getting my hands on everything....
Please, no offense guys.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 06:37 AM
  #9  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

-Got anouther question: On the trans dipstick it has a "cold" and a "hot" fill mark: Do I want to check these with engine running or off?-I know on older Fords they always said idling in park......
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 07:09 AM
  #10  
mueckster's Avatar
mueckster
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 24
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Idling in park. I usually fill mine into the "cold" range. Then, drive until up to operating temp and recheck before topping off into the "hot" range.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 08:52 AM
  #11  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,705
Likes: 2,626
From: SE Florida
Originally Posted by Supercab
I guess I was referring to the high pressure flushing that the commercial places do,
Can you point me to someone that does high pressure flushing? I've heard people talk about it, but I've never seen one.

I also owned an independent shop for a few years and I never found anyone that had a high pressure flush machine for sale. And EVERYONE that sold flush machines came to my shop trying to sell me theirs! I did have a flush machine, but it used the transmission's own pump to move the fluid.

I believe that high pressure flushing is a myth.

Originally Posted by Supercab
-Got anouther question: On the trans dipstick it has a "cold" and a "hot" fill mark: Do I want to check these with engine running or off?-I know on older Fords they always said idling in park......
Newer ones are also checked warmed up, idling in park.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 09:29 AM
  #12  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

Thanks Mark!!
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 09:48 AM
  #13  
UNTAMND's Avatar
UNTAMND
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
My trans flush machine uses the trans to do all the work also. It's fine if you know your filter is good. But I always suggest pulling the pan to clean the gunk out, change filter, add fluid, then hook up machine and do a fluid exchange. You're only using a few extra quarts that way but then I know the new fluid isn't contaminated by the gunk at the bottom of the pan.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:13 AM
  #14  
Brother Les's Avatar
Brother Les
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
Brian of BTS suggests to change the trans fluid every 30,000 miles on his transmissions also.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:26 AM
  #15  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

30k it is then on the Mercon V-perfect. I'm reasonably sure Brian uses Mercon V doesn't he?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:26 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE