Transmission fluid change
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 274
Likes: 12
Transmission fluid change
Hello all, I got a 94 f150, 5.0 extended car 2dr with a 4R70W 230.000+ miles. I want to change my transmission filter and fluid but I'm not sure if the previous owners kept maintenance up on it or not. The first owner was TX dot it's the previous owners I'm not sure of so basically I need help on moving forward don't want to change it and cause problems it works fine right now.... any help greatly appreciated.....
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
I'll say again
Stick with engineering Mark
I have seen it first hand several times
He does not know the condition or previous service intervals
All he can do is check / smell the fluid
The saying is this, "service it today, put a trans in it tomorrow"
Stick with engineering Mark
I have seen it first hand several times
He does not know the condition or previous service intervals
All he can do is check / smell the fluid
The saying is this, "service it today, put a trans in it tomorrow"
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,725
Likes: 2,651
From: SE Florida
I'll say it again. If the trans is in good shape, new fluid can only help it. If it's damaged, new fluid can't save it. If it's damaged, it is going to fail with or without new fluid. New fluid isn't going to cause the failure.
There is some truth to what you're saying. Many (most?) people don't do a thing to their transmission until problems start. Then they have the fluid changed because it was never done. Then the transmission fails. Was it the new fluid that killed it, or was it the many, many miles of neglect and the problem that was already there before the fluid change?
He will have to make up his own mind which one of us to believe.
There is some truth to what you're saying. Many (most?) people don't do a thing to their transmission until problems start. Then they have the fluid changed because it was never done. Then the transmission fails. Was it the new fluid that killed it, or was it the many, many miles of neglect and the problem that was already there before the fluid change?
He will have to make up his own mind which one of us to believe.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 19
From: South Puget Sound
These two points of view are very interesting.
What is the mode of disablement/breakdown for the long-life-but-never-maintained transmission that now gets a late-life fluid and filter change?
What is the mode of disablement/breakdown for the long-life-but-never-maintained transmission that now gets a late-life fluid and filter change?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 274
Likes: 12
Sounds like I'm at the tranny cross roads this what I'll think I'll do pull the pan, save old fluid, check for the yellow dipstick plug if it's still in the pan I know for sure it's never been serviced and I may just change filter and put old fluid back in, if plug is gone I'll know tranny has been serviced before and I may change fluid and filter, again any suggestions greatly appreciated.....
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 363
From: Candy Mountain
Given the mileage on the truck a rebuild is likely in your future regardless.
If you aren't having any problems now, I would change the fluid. That is me. If it goes kaput you are just out the cost of the fluid on top of a rebuild. If it gives another solid 40,000 miles of service use that time to prepare for a rebuild.
If it is having problems just go ahead and have it rebuilt as soon as possible.
The better condition it is in when it is rebuilt the easier on the wallet it will be.
If you aren't having any problems now, I would change the fluid. That is me. If it goes kaput you are just out the cost of the fluid on top of a rebuild. If it gives another solid 40,000 miles of service use that time to prepare for a rebuild.
If it is having problems just go ahead and have it rebuilt as soon as possible.
The better condition it is in when it is rebuilt the easier on the wallet it will be.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 416
When I swapped the fluid in our C6, I accidentally put a 2WD filter in, anyways, after I limped it back to the shop, I had to get 3 more gallons of fluid. When I dumped the new fluid in there out, it had turned purple in a matter of miles. Swapped the fluid again, and it's still running. This is a neglected transmission that had a shop towel in the filter for who knows how long.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,540
Likes: 2,032
From: North Texas
Change it. Extra spooky fresh detergents are not going to make it die...and at 250k, borrowed time as other member stated.
Pro tip, grab a pan with a drain plug and pop in a heavy duty magnet along with the OE one.
Pro tip, grab a pan with a drain plug and pop in a heavy duty magnet along with the OE one.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
doc4bax
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
5
Jan 8, 2013 10:35 AM
Nightrain
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
6
Nov 18, 2007 07:35 AM
unionmoguy
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
1
Sep 4, 2003 05:59 PM