V10 ATF Flush Experience
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 4
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
If the explorer trans is like the pos that was in my lincoln LS the "drain" plug is the fill plug....
There is a tube that runs up into the trans from the "drain plug" which sets the fill level of the trans. You would have to drop the pan to drain the fluid in the trans. Then reinstall the pan and fill threw the "drain plug" hole, up threw the tube.
Stupidest **** I ever saw!
There is a tube that runs up into the trans from the "drain plug" which sets the fill level of the trans. You would have to drop the pan to drain the fluid in the trans. Then reinstall the pan and fill threw the "drain plug" hole, up threw the tube.
Stupidest **** I ever saw!
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
I was part of the design/development team on the pos in your Lincoln LS. There was a reason it was built without a dipstick - there wasn't enough room to install one. The original transmission design had a dipstick. It had to be deleted because it didn't fit. I know you'll say that there is plenty of room, and it does look that way. It doesn't fit per Ford standards. Those standards are they to prevent things from hitting the body,which causes knocks, thumps, and other things customers hate.
The drain plug in the pan is in the center of a standpipe. Remove the plug and pump fluid up the standpipe. With the trans warm and the engine idling in park the level is right when the fluid stops running out. Early 5R55N transmissions had a fill plug on the extension housing. You could fill there with the plug removed. Once it stopped running out it was at the right level. The fill plug was deleted when we found dealers were filling the trans to the level of the fill plug. This caused the trans to be overfilled by more than a gallon. What a mess that caused!
You can remove the standpipe and plug together to drain the pan before removing it.
The drain plug in the pan is in the center of a standpipe. Remove the plug and pump fluid up the standpipe. With the trans warm and the engine idling in park the level is right when the fluid stops running out. Early 5R55N transmissions had a fill plug on the extension housing. You could fill there with the plug removed. Once it stopped running out it was at the right level. The fill plug was deleted when we found dealers were filling the trans to the level of the fill plug. This caused the trans to be overfilled by more than a gallon. What a mess that caused!
You can remove the standpipe and plug together to drain the pan before removing it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 5
From: chicago northwest suburbs
And having said that. You can't tell me there is no room on the Explorer. Anyone can make anything fit anywhere! Look at the supercharged motor they stuffed into the mustangs! Cant tell me there was no room for a 1/2 inch (or 13mm for the manuf.) tube next to the engine. Maybe on the LS, but there is always a way!!!
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I was part of the design/development team on the pos in your Lincoln LS. There was a reason it was built without a dipstick - there wasn't enough room to install one. The original transmission design had a dipstick. It had to be deleted because it didn't fit. I know you'll say that there is plenty of room, and it does look that way. It doesn't fit per Ford standards. Those standards are they to prevent things from hitting the body,which causes knocks, thumps, and other things customers hate.
Heh, thanks for reminding me of the other point of view, and the unbeknownst to me limitations, standards, and restrictions engineers had to work with.
Stewart
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
And having said that. You can't tell me there is no room on the Explorer. Anyone can make anything fit anywhere! Look at the supercharged motor they stuffed into the mustangs! Cant tell me there was no room for a 1/2 inch (or 13mm for the manuf.) tube next to the engine. Maybe on the LS, but there is always a way!!!
A half inch tube needs over an inch of room to allow for engine movement.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 5
From: chicago northwest suburbs
Sorry. Wasnt attacking you. Just the idea of no dipstick in general. I reread my post and it sounded like i was attacking you, which i wasnt. It just came out that way.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 4
I have 60,000+ miles on my 2004 Explorer now. I would like to change the fluid the old conventional manner, drop the pan, let what will drain fall out, and put pan back on. But I have no idea where to put fluid back into the transmission. If I take it into the dealer will they do it in the old conventional manner for me? As per our previous discussions, I am just not a big fan of a total flush, seen too many problems with it.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,722
Likes: 2,648
From: SE Florida
Here's how you would fill the trans in your 2004 Explorer.
The drain plug in the pan is in the center of a standpipe. Remove the plug and pump fluid up the standpipe. With the trans warm and the engine idling in park the level is right when the fluid stops running out.
You can remove the standpipe and plug together to drain the pan before removing it.
You can remove the standpipe and plug together to drain the pan before removing it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
But it gets 90% which is good enough without going to more trouble.....right? (I plan to do mine soon). Also, I am seeing different amounts of ATF needed and it looks like I will need 16 quarts if I just drain the converter and pan, right? I don't plan to drop the pan and change the filter since it is supposed to be a lifetime filter.
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
But it gets 90% which is good enough without going to more trouble.....right? (I plan to do mine soon). Also, I am seeing different amounts of ATF needed and it looks like I will need 16 quarts if I just drain the converter and pan, right? I don't plan to drop the pan and change the filter since it is supposed to be a lifetime filter.
Anyway no where near 90%. If you read this thread they discontinued the Tconverter plug by mid of 2002
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Is there a type of ATF fluid that is preferred for the X. I just installed the 6.0L tranny cooler and went back with Motorcraft for what I put back in but I am getting ready to do a fluid change on the tranny and not looking forward to paying the dealership price for 20 quarts of Motorcraft MerconV.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Well if you dont have a drain plug in the Tconverter, then you would only get about a 35% percent change if you only drained the tranny pan. Major fluid holders are the two coolers and the Tconverter
Anyway no where near 90%. If you read this thread they discontinued the Tconverter plug by mid of 2002
Anyway no where near 90%. If you read this thread they discontinued the Tconverter plug by mid of 2002
Mine is 2000 and it should get about 90% of the oil which is fine with me. The oil cooler doesn't hold much and I doubt if it stays full all the time. There is just some thin channels in there and the converter is the big player not the cooler.
Mark; how much oil is in the v10 cooler and when is it all in there?