Trans flush or no flush
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Trans flush or no flush
I have a 2001 7.3 psd and am just looking for info as to weather I should flush my transmission. I have heard that it is not good to flush a transmission and to just change the filter and fluid in the pan. What should I do any input helps. Thanks everyone.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 5
the only time I wouldnt consider a trany flush like Mark K. has recomended, would be if the trany was very dirty inside from years with out oil change, it could loosen up some settled debri.otherwise you have everything to gain.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
-Don't know if the '01 still has a torque converter drain, but if it does I'd recommend just draining IT and the pan, change filter, clean inside of pan hospital clean & you'll be fine.
I personally am not a fan of flushing.
I personally am not a fan of flushing.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,725
Likes: 2,651
From: SE Florida
All 2001 trucks left the factory with a drain plug in the torque converter. Either drain the converter and pan or do a fluid exchange like this: Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 transmission .: Articles.
Many places also do flushes. IF they do it right it is safe. As any procedure, if they screw it up, such as using the wrong fluid, it will harm the transmission.
Many places also do flushes. IF they do it right it is safe. As any procedure, if they screw it up, such as using the wrong fluid, it will harm the transmission.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 9
From: Wellington, Co
All 2001 trucks left the factory with a drain plug in the torque converter. Either drain the converter and pan or do a fluid exchange like this: Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 transmission .: Articles.
Many places also do flushes. IF they do it right it is safe. As any procedure, if they screw it up, such as using the wrong fluid, it will harm the transmission.
Many places also do flushes. IF they do it right it is safe. As any procedure, if they screw it up, such as using the wrong fluid, it will harm the transmission.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
When I worked in the auto industry there was confusion between a flush and a fluid change. Flushing was construed to mean using a chemical to flush the transmission and the converter. There was problems with this procedure causing a variety of transmission problems. A fluid change uses no chemical, you're just replacing the old fluid with the new fluid. But as other have stated do a complete flush. There are many good articles here at this site that'll guide you through the procedure. I have both an early 99 (265,000) and a late 99 (194,000) both get a fluid exchange and filter. I start with doing the job, sending a sample to Blackstone for analysis and follow their recommendation on the next change interval. Ford recommends 15,000 miles. With oil analysis I'm up to 30,000 miles between changes. I need to state that I do take a sample at each oil change. I tow a goose neck trailer with horses in the summer and haul a 9' cabover camper as well. Neither transmission has required any work other than the oil and filter changes. My trucks are basically stock with only a few mods.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 776
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From: STL MO
Here is what I found out when I drained my tranny. I always completely flush the entire tranny when I get a "new" vehcle which does not have a TC plug (normally not). That's always the best way to do it. However, with the drain plug on the TC, there is no need to flush, wasting all the extra expensive fluid and the big messs. Here is the numbers I recorded when I did mine:7.2L from the TC, 6.25L from the pan, 0.3L from the cooler. Hope that this helps. Eriwn
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Just slip under the truck and remove the drain plug from one or the other, let it drain into your catch pan, then do the other, let them drain until you get just a sliver-thin stream or just a drip-drip-drip, again, change the filter, hospital clean the trans pan, re-install & you should be good to go.
When re-filling I strongly suggest Mercon V fluid, your trans will thank you!
I believe the trans holds 14 quarts (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and you should add 1/2 of that, start the engine for about 30 seconds, then add the rest-this will allow the trans pump to suck up the first amount.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
If you're just going to drain the converter and pan its really not that messy.
Just slip under the truck and remove the drain plug from one or the other, let it drain into your catch pan, then do the other, let them drain until you get just a sliver-thin stream or just a drip-drip-drip, again, change the filter, hospital clean the trans pan, re-install & you should be good to go.
When re-filling I strongly suggest Mercon V fluid, your trans will thank you!
I believe the trans holds 14 quarts (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and you should add 1/2 of that, start the engine for about 30 seconds, then add the rest-this will allow the trans pump to suck up the first amount.
Just slip under the truck and remove the drain plug from one or the other, let it drain into your catch pan, then do the other, let them drain until you get just a sliver-thin stream or just a drip-drip-drip, again, change the filter, hospital clean the trans pan, re-install & you should be good to go.
When re-filling I strongly suggest Mercon V fluid, your trans will thank you!
I believe the trans holds 14 quarts (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and you should add 1/2 of that, start the engine for about 30 seconds, then add the rest-this will allow the trans pump to suck up the first amount.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Awesome guys thanks for the info I have a aftermarket pan that is a little bigger but no big deal I will just grab some extra fluid. When I drain the pan and the TC when I start the truck up will it suck up the fluid and fill my TC back up? I appreciate all the help!!!
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: McMinnville
Jake, my girlfriend and I did this per Marks procedures and although I over analyzed it too much, the procedure was AWESOME. It was way easier than I thought possible and at the end my GF said, after all this you were worried 
... It took a few hours because I was overly cautious, but it really worked great and I plan to do it in another 10k miles. goodluck.
... It took a few hours because I was overly cautious, but it really worked great and I plan to do it in another 10k miles. goodluck.