E4od flush vs change
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 4
E4od flush vs change
Hi,
I believe I am experiencing some torque converter shuddering between 3rd and 4th (od).I have read the cause of this is old transmission fluid. Fix obviously would be new fluid. I was wondering what peoples opinions are on getting the trans flushed vs just changing the fluid. The truck has 93,000 miles and I am uncertain if the fluid has ever been changed. Pretty sure it hasn't. The fluid is a tan color similar to used motor oil and doesn't smell burnt. Would it be safe to get the trans flushed or would that be risky with a 30 year old trans with an unknown service history?
Thanks for your time
I believe I am experiencing some torque converter shuddering between 3rd and 4th (od).I have read the cause of this is old transmission fluid. Fix obviously would be new fluid. I was wondering what peoples opinions are on getting the trans flushed vs just changing the fluid. The truck has 93,000 miles and I am uncertain if the fluid has ever been changed. Pretty sure it hasn't. The fluid is a tan color similar to used motor oil and doesn't smell burnt. Would it be safe to get the trans flushed or would that be risky with a 30 year old trans with an unknown service history?
Thanks for your time
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 88
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Transmission "flush" is a scam that auto shops use to make more money. Pro mechanics will save the old fluid when they're repairing an old transmission and put it back in.
If it's tan than it isn't burnt and it's time for a change. But you may just want to top it off.
If it's tan than it isn't burnt and it's time for a change. But you may just want to top it off.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Well a heated flush is best, however if you do it yourself you can drain the pan and the torque converter and get 90% of it out. Just use Mercon V when you do the service. As for saving the used fluid above, I know of no shop that does that. It all goes in the waste oil bin.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,969
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
If you will drain the pan and also the TC, you will get about 12 of the 14-15 qts. out of it. That is plenty good. Do that every 25K miles and that thing will last forever. Put a drain plug in your pan and you won't need to pull it next time.
I disagree about Mercon V, tho. Your truck does not need it and it costs quite a bit more. Just get the stuff at Walmart that is labeled "ATF". It is Mercon III compatible and that is what your truck takes.
I'm basing this on 1) your avatar pic and 2) the forum you are posting in. It would help if you put your truck in your sig so we know for sure what you are working on.
I disagree about Mercon V, tho. Your truck does not need it and it costs quite a bit more. Just get the stuff at Walmart that is labeled "ATF". It is Mercon III compatible and that is what your truck takes.
I'm basing this on 1) your avatar pic and 2) the forum you are posting in. It would help if you put your truck in your sig so we know for sure what you are working on.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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Ford published TSB many years ago stating that the replacement for Mercon is Mercon V.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2017
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[QUOTE=My4Fordtrucks;19548929]A dealership where I worked had a flush machine. You connected to a cooler line and while the transmission pumped out the old fluid the machine pumped in new fluid to keep the trans full. That way it would completely flush the old fluid from the lines and cooler.
Thanks for the info, did you have have any instances in your dealer ship where the flush machine caused damage to a transmission? The main thing I would be concerned about would be washing gunk out of the pan and into the main body of the transmission. I assume that would not be an issue though because you would pull the pan and change the filter first.
Thanks for the info, did you have have any instances in your dealer ship where the flush machine caused damage to a transmission? The main thing I would be concerned about would be washing gunk out of the pan and into the main body of the transmission. I assume that would not be an issue though because you would pull the pan and change the filter first.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
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From: Southern OH
That was also after most trasmissions that called for Mercon were out of their warranty period.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
Ford published TSB many years ago stating that the replacement for Mercon is Mercon V.
I am aware of that, but that's just so that the dealerships don't have to keep so many types of fluid on hand.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
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From: Southern OH
A flush where you disconnect one of the cooler lines and let the truck run and pump the old fluid out while someone is adding new fluid through the dipstick is OK to do, but don't do a machine flush, that often causes problems. Just a drain and refill with a filter change every 30-50K is all that is really needed.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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So what is your explanation for so many types of Ford ATF currently in use?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: NC
A flush where you disconnect one of the cooler lines and let the truck run and pump the old fluid out while someone is adding new fluid through the dipstick is OK to do, but don't do a machine flush, that often causes problems. Just a drain and refill with a filter change every 30-50K is all that is really needed.
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From: Calhoun GA