I'm in the process of changing the tranny filter and fluid and am going to unbolt the tranny line going to the cooler. Which line pumps the fluid from the tranny to the cooler on a 4R70W transmission...the one on the drivers side or pass. side of the vehicle? I really don't want to unbolt the return line if I don't have to. I'll just pump out a quart or 2 at a time and add more as I go. Thanks

 

If your going to drop the pan do like I did and add a pan "drain plug" that way in the future you can just unscrew the plug and drain out a certain amount of fluid and do it very easy and fast. I do this twice a year and have never had any issues.

 

I plan to.... but I'm in the process of changing the tranny filter and fluid and am going to unbolt the tranny line going to the cooler. Which line pumps the fluid from the tranny to the cooler on a 4R70W transmission...the one on the drivers side or pass. side of the vehicle. Thanks

 

Pre 2001 had a torque converter with a drain plug in the bottom. You can rotate the flywheel with a large screw driver and get the plug on the bottom. You can get 5 quarts out of the trans pan, and 8 quarts out of the converter... don't need to remove the line and pump it out.

 

Wow, that is great news....thank you. Will do as soon as I get the filter and drain plug for the pan.

 

If you don't drain the torque converter (easier) you just remove the return line at the transmission (it is the upper one) and drain it from there. If you do it at the cooler you have that old fluid left in the cooler and return line.

HERE

 

What is the procedure for refilling after I drained both? If I do drain the pan and then the converter and then add 5 quarts back into the pan since that's all it holds, how do I get the other 8 quarts in. I assume I'll have to start the engine to pump the fluid thru the tranny but how long do I let the engine run before filling it again or do I add the fluid while it's running? Will this damage anything in the converter or tranny running the engine when the converter is 8 quarts low?

 

Good luck trying to align the torque converter drain. I tried it by turning the ignition key but can never get it.

 

Easy. Put a breaker bar and socket on the crankshaft nut, and hand-turn the engine in the rotation direction until the plug aligns. Always hand-turned engine this way since my first A/T vehicle.

And I chalk or stick a piece of masking tape on the crankshaft pulley to get an idea how far I have turned it before I go look.

 

I used an 18 inch screw driver and pry 3-4 teeth at a time thru the bottom hole looking at the fly wheel. It don't turn that hard........... To refill, put in about 8 quarts, then start the motor and run 30 - 60 seconds. Put in 4 quarts and start it again... check the dip stick to see if you need a quart or more. Trans pump will fill the converter pretty quick.

 

Guess I'm lazy, I added a drain plug to my pan, drain X amount of fluid in my spare time.....maybe 2/3 times a year and never have a problem.
May sound like a lot but it's that or watch tv.

 

Thanks Steve. Almost sounds too easy. I just get nervous starting the engine with no fluid in the converter. Do you shift thru the gears while it's idling or just leave it in park?

 

Once you have it "full", start it, let it run for a minute or so, then shift it through the gears, leaving it in each gear for 10 seconds or so each way (R, N, D, 2, 1, 2, D, N, R then back to park). Check fluid and make sure it is in the "Full Cold" range. Get back in and go for a 10-15 minute drive with some moderate speeds then park it and check fluid again using the "Hot" range on the dipstick.

 

Will do as soon as my filter comes in. Thanks guys!

 

Guess I'm lazy, I added a drain plug to my pan, drain X amount of fluid in my spare time.....maybe 2/3 times a year and never have a problem.
May sound like a lot but it's that or watch tv.

---that is a good plan also for most new vehicles. IN the case of the pre 2001 F150 the converter has a drain plug on the converter and that makes it really simple for a one a one shot change. I use your plan on my Explorer--- once every 30K miles.
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