I have a 2000 e150 w/ 5.4L , my tranny is AOD/4R70W I plan on replacing my tranny fluid and would like to know where the converter drain plug is, I removed the rubber plug on the bell housing and rotated engine on and off with the key but still no drain plug, if there is one what is the easiest way to rotate engine to access plug.

thanks,

 

It should come up; keep bumping it. Although I have heard that Ford has stopped installing the converter drain plugs, I don't think they did it in 2000, unless yours has been replaced.

 

petiboy, i roate the engine by hand. My 97 4.6 V8 takes a 12 MM socket. Nut is at bottom center front of your engine. Just turn the 12MM nut real slow until the TC nut comes into view. Since you arent sure if your TC has a nut, you might want to mark it before you start so you'll know when you have completed one full revolution. A small cheater bar on the socket bar is handy.

 

So I guess you have to keep turning a few dozen times while climbing back to the converter peep hole to find if there is a drain nut back there, is this all worth it or should I just drop the pan.

 

dropping pan will allow you to drain the pan but draining the TC is a seperate process i.e. you have to drop the pan and drain the TC. It is better if you turn the socket with someone watching thru the TC hole for the TC nut to come into view. You can also drain the TC by taking off the tranny return line, starting the truck and running it out the line into a pan. But i have never tried it.

 

Just use a big screwdriver to turn the flexplate/flywheel till you see the plug.2000 was the last year to get the plug.

 

I turn the crank with the front pulley bolt slowly by socket tool and stick my finger up in the access hole till I feel the plug. Slowly is key there, as you dont want to pinch your finger with the plug against the case. If you are going to the trouble of draining the torque convertor, drop the pan and change the filter too. You dont want 4 or 5 quarts of dirty fluid from the pan and I recommend changing the filter anyway.

 

Yes I was definetely going to change the filter as well, I guess the gasket is reusable according to a ford dealer. As far as finding the drain plug on the converter there are many ways to skin the cat!

thanks all!