8/29/2017 133368.4 miles

Replaced transmission pan with new pan that has drain bolt, I used the same gasket. One of the bolts was missing, I should probably get a replacement bolt. Took 6 quarts of Mercon V to refill it.

*I drilled through the transmission pan to drain it trying to prevent a mess.

Changed the fuel filter, I can’t remember the last time I did that but I’m guessing sometime around 2010. It didn’t seem very obstructed if at all compared to the new/dry filter. Motorcraft filter.

I also changed the fluid in the transfer case, it took just under 2 quarts. I used Motorcraft transfer case fluid.I was going to change the rear differential fluid too but the rear cover was so rusty I figured I’d replace it.








9/2/2017
Drained & refilled transmission pan – took 5 quarts of Mercon V to refill it.
The fluid was fairly dark, definitely not cherry red (look for pictures). I’m going to do this again within a day or few.


This was the fluid before I drained the pan on 9/2/2017:



that's a catch pan (2' x 3') not an oil spill on the driveway. There is an oil spill on the catch pan.

 

I've gone through almost 2 cases (12 quarts per case) of Mercon V so far:

6 quarts to fill after replacing the filter
ran it for 20 miles, drained the pan & added 5 quarts
ran it for 10 miles, drained & added 5 quarts
ran it for 5 miles, drained the pan & added 5 quarts

I flushed my power steering system today, that was a little over 2 quarts, and I have 1 quart left.

Guess I'll get & repeat 3-4 more times.

 

how does the oil look after draining the 4th time ?
the system holds about 14 quarts...
first time you have 6 new + 8 used
second time you remove 40% ( of the new and used) so you should have 5 qts used left.
third time you remove another 40% so you should have 3 quarts of old left.
fourth time you remove another 40% so less than 2 quarts old and 11-12 quarts of new ............

 

It's getting slightly redder (better), but it's definitely not "cherry red" like I wanted to see.

I only got one pic from today, I thought I got a pic each time. This is from before I filled it the last time.

 

I did the same thing (new pan & filter) on my work van 2 days ago, this time I kept a small sample from each time I drained.










The difference is more visible in the pics than in person, still not near as clean as I'd hoped.

I used 4.5 gallons in my van, 21 quarts in the truck. I'm going to run them both until spring, & then hopefully do a proper flush. No problems with either vehicle, but I've lost the trannies @ 135K on 2 previous vehicles (1992 chevy pickup, 2001 chevy van)

 

not sure how to post a video but I think I'll do a flush like this:

 

Where at did you drill this new hole?

 

Same place where the drain bolt goes. I did it in my work van too, same place. You don't really have to worry about going in too far (I mean you do, but) because before you're all the way through it's going to start leaking fluid on your drill.

I think I used a 5/16 or so bit, maybe a touch bigger. Just be ready with paper towels or a rag in your non-drill hand, and don't use your best drill if you're afraid of getting a little oil on it.

 

OH ..... OK then.