Took the truck to the dealer to replace a rotted tranny dipstick tube and have the fluid and filter changed. But they only replaced 6 quarts of Mercon V and called it a tranny fluid change. They said to change the torque converter fluid as well would require removal of the bell housing, etc. then we got off the subject when the service rep was interrupted by one of the mechanics. I thought a tranny fluid change would include the torque converter fluid as well which carries almost half of the total tranny fluid. What is typical of a so called "tranny fluid service" then. Thanks.

 

Yeah....

No, that's not right. You can definitely change out almost all of the fluid. All reputable shops and even shadetree mechanics do it all the time.

Regardless of whatever words they used to explain why they couldn't do it, the fact of the matter is that they didn't want to do it. I simply cannot fathom that they didn't know how. That would be too scary for words.

D

 

A fluid change, at a dealership, is about $250, and should be a full evac and replace via the cooling lines. If they charged you for the filter service, which is about $125, thats only the fluid in the pan. IIRC, the total capacity is about 14 quarts. So yeah, they only got 45 percent. The torque converter drain doesnt require the removal of the bellhousing.

 

Yeah, my receipt lists it as ATS (automatic transmission service) which broke down to 1.5 hrs labor, filter, gasket, 6 qts Mercon V for $220. I need to call a few other dealers to ask what their service entails. I would think the dealer would do the full change including the T/C fluid as they would easily have the equipment. They're a FORD shop, for goodness sakes!

 

It doesn't take any special equipment to change the fluid in the torque converter on a '99. There is a drain plug and an access cover to get to it.

 

Depending on what I find out from my upcoming phone calls to other dealerships, would it be advisable to replace all the fluid in the tranny AND the torque converter now or just leave it as is. Also, would the filter and gasket need to be changed again as well if I opened it up. Thanks.

 

The filter and gasket didn't need to be changed in the first place. The gasket is reusable, and the filter is good for the life of the transmission.

I recommend taking it to a good independent shop. Have them drain the pan and the torque converter and refill it with MERCON V fluid. That's all it needs. Write off the Ford dealer as a learning experience.

 

I noticed that about the gasket not needing replacement. Says so right on the bottom of the pan! Needed to clean off the wet pan bottom so I noticed the raised letter message. Didn't know the filter was good for the life of the tranny. Does it ever get cleaned or do you just leave it in as such. I am definitely done with that dealer. I believe the independent shop that will do the job will be me. Can it wait 'till spring at this point, though? Getting too late in the winter season for me to do it outside and not have issues. Thanks again for the invaluable info.

 

The internal filter doesn't need to be replaced or cleaned. If there is enough junk in the filter that it causes a problem it is because the transmission has already failed.

You could wait until warmer weather to change the fluid again.

 

In preparation for the spring fluid change,

1) Does the fluid need to be warm/hot before the change?

2) What would be the proper method of refilling (add all 14 qts through the dipstick tube, or add some and start up 'till warm then add the rest, etc?)

3) What is the proper torque spec for the pan bolts and the torque converter drain bolt?

4) Anything else I may need to know to do this easily and correctly and missed.

Thank you very much again.

 

Measure what you drain out and fill only that amount, some is always left in the system. Torques- drain plug on torque converter-9 ft lb
Pan bolts -10 ft lb

 

When you open the access port to see the torque converter plug, how do you find it to line it up with the access port (does the torque converter just spin easily by hand?). And when refilling, then, do you add all the fluid back in at once or do you need to perform the addition incrementally using some other procedure? Thanks.

 

You are going to have to turn the engine by hand with a socket on the bolt that holds the balancer to the front of the crankshaft.

Put the fluid in in increments. after you button everything up add 6-7 quarts so that you don't overflow and start the vehicle. Add the rest as it's running. At about 1-2 quarts shy of what you think will fill it up, get in the vehicle, press the brake and put the gear selector in each gear. Hold the brake and rev it up a little in each gear. Check the fluid level and add as needed. Drive it and chck it after it has gotten good and hot. Fill as needed.

Good luck with it

D

 

Mark K is one of the good guys on this forum.