I just bought this Super Duty with a 5.4L engine. I want to do a fluid change on the transmission. From what I read, this transmission needs to be hot flushed in order to change out all the fluid. I have not called my dealer yet to see if they do hot flushes. If my local dealer does not have this machine, can I just drop the old fluid from the pan and be ok? I have not gotten under the truck yet to see if it has an external filter.

 

It has an internal filter that is reusable, as is the pan gasket.

What I've been doing is changing out 1/2 the fluid twice as often, along with a new in pan filter every other change. At 110k, the fluid looks fine, never smells bad, still has the deep red color and theres absolutely nothing in the bottom of the pan or build up at the magnetic drain plug.
I can't vouch for whether this is ok or not but my dealer does not have a hot flush machine and, frankly, some of the dealers/shops that do rush it anyway and don't get the full benefit.
Mark Kovalsky <sp> is a former trans engineer and FTE member, hopefully he'll be along with more scientific info.

 

I just serviced my 5R110W at 48K. I had to install a direct clutch solenoid as well as flush the fluid and change the filter. A case of the correct Mercon LV fluid was $75 a case x2 the filter was 42ish. You can reuse the pan gasket. That was quoted at $30. I was getting quotes from 200-300. To “flush” I did as Mark K suggested. I dropped the fluid changed the filter and refilled. Drove it for a day then pulled the plug and drained the pan again and refilled. My fluid was pink and there was zero trash in the pan. The magnet had the usual “mud” on it. If your fluids burnt and there is trash in the pan then your story is a little different than mine. In this case I would try to get it a full flush at a shop with the heated flusher. Mark will add to this if I missed anything. You dont mention the mileage on your 2010?

 

Thanks. My fluid looks pink on the dipstick and the truck has 60000. Since I just bought this truck, I want to service all the fluids. The Ford dealer is giving me a free oil change in 5000 miles.

 

The internal filter is NOT reusable. That changed in 2008. Prior to 2008 the filter was good for the life of the trans and there was an external filter. At Job #2 2008 the internal filter was upgraded and that filter needs to be changed on a regular schedule. The gasket is reusable.

If there is no hot flush machine available changing the fluid in the pan is all you can do. Changing it twice is better than once.

 

Thanks and glad I've been changing it, sorry for the bad info.

Btw, RockAuto has the Motorcraft filters for 36.79 plus shipping.

 

No problem on the info. I am learning about this truck and that is why I love this site!