2003 Excursion 4r100 trans flush
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2024
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2003 Excursion 4r100 trans flush
My parents have a 2003 Ford Excursion with 194,000 miles and have owned it since 166,000 miles and never has had the 4r100 trans serviced. I was told on auto transmissions that were old or you never knew their last service to never flush them with a flushing machine and to just change the ATF and clean the pan and replace the filter, is flushing this transmission going to hurt it? or is it better to just change atf and filter and clean pan? Also how much ATF do I need for a transmission service and it takes motorcraft LV correct? Thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
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From: Oologah, OK
personally,
I would avoid a machine that puts pressure on the transmission.
just get some clear hose about 15 feet long, a nipple to go into the output port on the transmission, and start the engine, watch the fluid as it goes into a bucket, when it bubbles, or quits, kill the engine, refill the transmission,
repeat until you have poured in more ATF than it can hold...
that will flush the TQ normally.
I would avoid a machine that puts pressure on the transmission.
just get some clear hose about 15 feet long, a nipple to go into the output port on the transmission, and start the engine, watch the fluid as it goes into a bucket, when it bubbles, or quits, kill the engine, refill the transmission,
repeat until you have poured in more ATF than it can hold...
that will flush the TQ normally.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
Here is how to do it: https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...-transmission/
Use MERCON V. MERCON LV will destroy a 4R100 in a very short time.
Use MERCON V. MERCON LV will destroy a 4R100 in a very short time.
The Struggle Bus¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Joined: Jan 2022
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Mark, as a side question for the 5R110W transmission in the 6.0 Excursions (not the 4R100 found in the rest of them)...there are still some sources of the original MERCON SP available. Is it better to use LV or SP for the 5R110W? I have found conflicting information.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Florida and Tennessee
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,534
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From: NC
I have 283K on my 4R100 and I have no idea if the fluid has been changed, it is dark but not burnt. I have been thinking about servicing it even to the point of dropping the old fluid into a bucket, removing the pan and looking inside, changing the filter but IDK if new fluid would be advisable or reuse the old fluid? Lots of stories about fluid changes on high mileage transmissions.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
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Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
I have 283K on my 4R100 and I have no idea if the fluid has been changed, it is dark but not burnt. I have been thinking about servicing it even to the point of dropping the old fluid into a bucket, removing the pan and looking inside, changing the filter but IDK if new fluid would be advisable or reuse the old fluid? Lots of stories about fluid changes on high mileage transmissions.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Your 6.0 doesn’t have the 4 speed 4R100, you have the 5 speed 5R-something-something………. That’s the limit of my tech abilities this morning.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
There are a lot of stories of transmissions failing right after a fluid change. Here is why, in my opinion.
Many people ignore the transmission maintenance. Once it has a lot of miles, say maybe 283K, something starts to go wrong. Now they change the fluid, hoping that's what's wrong. But the problem isn't that the fluid needs to be changed, the problem is that the trans has been ignored and the old, worn out fluid allowed the trans to fail. Now they put new fluid in it and the trans completes the failure that started before the fluid change. If they hadn't changed the fluid it probably would have failed a few miles sooner.
If the trans is in good shape new fluid can only help it. If the trans has already begun to fail new fluid isn't going to magically fix it.
Many people ignore the transmission maintenance. Once it has a lot of miles, say maybe 283K, something starts to go wrong. Now they change the fluid, hoping that's what's wrong. But the problem isn't that the fluid needs to be changed, the problem is that the trans has been ignored and the old, worn out fluid allowed the trans to fail. Now they put new fluid in it and the trans completes the failure that started before the fluid change. If they hadn't changed the fluid it probably would have failed a few miles sooner.
If the trans is in good shape new fluid can only help it. If the trans has already begun to fail new fluid isn't going to magically fix it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
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From: Oologah, OK
@Mark Kovalsky,
what is your opinion on leaving the current filter alone, just changing the fluid?
Valvoline Quick Change stations no longer drop the plug, they stuff a hose down the filler tube, and siphon the fluid out, and refill it.
what is your opinion on leaving the current filter alone, just changing the fluid?
Valvoline Quick Change stations no longer drop the plug, they stuff a hose down the filler tube, and siphon the fluid out, and refill it.
Fleet Mechanic
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From: NoVA
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
Tom, you forgot that @Excurvelle got himself a v10 recently. You need a second coffee
Yep, more coffee is needed!
Totally forgot the new V-10.
I should have know better that he would have better maint on his tow rig 6.0. 
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
That will change less than half of the fluid. I consider that one step up from throwing money away.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
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Likes: 1,423
From: Oologah, OK
If the filter has enough junk in it to cause a problem the transmission has already failed. Until the filters changed in 2008 the filter would last the life of the trans.
That will change less than half of the fluid. I consider that one step up from throwing money away.
That will change less than half of the fluid. I consider that one step up from throwing money away.
Thank you,
I will do it myself, with the hose and 5 gallon bucket.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,534
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From: NC
Yeah, my baby is jealous I am working on the v-10. I keep the 6.0L over maintained.
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