Flush or Filter/Fluid Change
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New User
Joined: Jan 2016
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Flush or Filter/Fluid Change
I have a 2007 Ford Explorer with a 4.6L engine and 6R60 transmission. It has 95K miles. I have just bought it so I don't know anything about its maintenance history.
It shifts well and has no transmission leaks. No complaints about this transmission's performance.
My question is whether to have the transmission flushed or change the filter and fluid as the factory manual describes?
It shifts well and has no transmission leaks. No complaints about this transmission's performance.
My question is whether to have the transmission flushed or change the filter and fluid as the factory manual describes?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 695
Likes: 4
In my opinion, a fluid drop an filter change is the way to go. Transmission flushes, if you're talking about using a flush machine, back feed the fluid which can loosen dirt and particles that end up in the trans and can cause problems.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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I am also a firm believer in dropping the pan, cleaning off the valve body, magnet, and pan bottom of all CRUD.... new filter and fluid as needed. Normally for a drain and refill you only get about half of the oil changed. A "machine changed" can run all the fluid out and replace it.... Actual "FLUSH" is not ideal, but not all machines do that.
Ford 6R60 & 6R80 Transmission Fluid and Filter Change
Ford 6R60 & 6R80 Transmission Fluid and Filter Change
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 34
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From: TAMPA, FL
That's the actual purpose of the pressure flush. All that stuff that gets loose comes out. Of course, there's residual of the old fluid. No flush is ever 100%. Build up causes blockage in fluid passages. Blockage contributes to failure of the transmission and/or the fluid to do its job resulting in the fluid smelling burnt and being black. The problem, if any, already exists and you're already on borrowed time with the transmission either way. A flush may or may not make an existing problem more apparent.
The 5R55E in my 2002 Sport Trac was just recently flushed. I think it was 171 or 172K miles. Previous owner didn't take care of it. Not a lot of fluid came out. What was still in it was black and smell burnt. It drove fine, though. My Ford dealership did a full pressure flush with a brand new filter. Still drives great. That same day earlier in the morning an AAMCO tech claimed it had a 1-2 and 2-3 shift flare and said the transmission had to be dropped and broken open for inspection, so they would be allowed to just do a flush and filter change. I just asked for my keys and left for the dealership where all is good since then.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 695
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The problem with a power flush is that the CRUD that can be worked loose with the back pressure the machine makes can get stuck in some of the small fluid passages in the transmission and cause fluid to not move as is should.
If the fluid that is in the transmission is black and burnt already, you are on borrowed time anyways.
If the fluid that is in the transmission is black and burnt already, you are on borrowed time anyways.
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