V10 ATF Flush Experience

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 27, 2012 | 02:59 PM

#31

EXv10

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 11,798

Likes: 14

From: Mt. Shasta California

Well I just did some research and looks like the cooler holds about 1.5 quarts (if it doesn't drain down at all), the innards of the trans retain very little, the lines hold very little, so draining my pan and converter should get about 90% of the oil out.

Sep 27, 2012 | 03:51 PM

#32

acf6

Post Fiend

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 13,710

Likes: 5

From: Manchester, CT

its really not that bad to flush it... i did it in about 25 minutes. it took longer to find a hose to put on the return line and then to put all the fluid from the drain pan into gallon containers. very very very easy process

Sep 27, 2012 | 08:35 PM

#33

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,722

Likes: 2,648

From: SE Florida

I've never measured how much is in the cooler. It never interested me to know that.

Oct 2, 2012 | 03:40 PM

#34

ot1

New User

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by EXv10

M
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?

I have 2 coolers on my 2002. I couldn't guess how much they hold along with the hoses, but you are probably close with the 90%. However if you are crawling under anyway, its very easy to flush the whole system per my previous post To me its less trouble than trying to line up the torque converter plug, where you need a second person to blip the starter.
Also in my case, the fluid hadn't been changed in over 100,000 and it was in bad shape. I wanted to make sure all of it was flushed.

Oct 3, 2012 | 08:42 AM

#35

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,722

Likes: 2,648

From: SE Florida

I also prefer the exchange method, but I have drained my share of torque converters. I never used the starter to align the drain plug, I use a socket on the crank pulley with a breaker bar. I can turn the engine with one hand while watching the torque converter. It's really easy to align the drain plug this way. Even a 7.3L isn't very hard to turn over by hand.

Oct 3, 2012 | 12:59 PM

#36

EXv10

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 11,798

Likes: 14

From: Mt. Shasta California

We used to use a remote starter button with alligator clips to the solenoid and work the converter around with a screwdriver at the bottom. Mark; what size socket does the crank pulley bolt take on a V-10 ?

Oct 3, 2012 | 08:10 PM

#37

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,722

Likes: 2,648

From: SE Florida

I don't remember. I've only done a V10 once and that was several years ago.

Oct 16, 2012 | 09:14 AM

#38

ecoastkid

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 116

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

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.

This is good information for me and my LS. Thanks. I'll use that to check my level this weekend if I can.

That being said, I'm sorry to report the version of the 5r55 in the LS is in fact a POS and its well documented. The lack of dipstick only adds to the frustration. I would say that with the exception of the trans, its likely my favorite car of the over 40 I have owned.

I do most of my own work and that saves a metric butt load of money but when it comes to flushing the 4r100, I just dont see the point of spending 115 bucks, a few hours time and rust in my eyes when a dealer can do it for 179.

I know everyone is afraid of the flush machines but in my personal experiance, I've never had an issue. My lightnings 4r100 has lasted 65000 miles behind an engine that generates around 40% more power then stock. And it isn't treated with kit gloves. I beat the living snot out of my truck on open track days a few times a year. Combine that with drag racing and more burnouts then I could ever count. I'd say I torture it pretty good.