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i have a 99 expy, 4x2, auto trans, with about 90K miles on it. it feels like the transmission is a little jittery shifting gears. sometimes it shifts hard. trans fluid never has been changed. should i get a flush, and do i also need to change filter, or just the flush?
Preventive maintenance? 90k miles? Not flush-the word is change and all of it including the torque converter and yes a new filter. Use Red Line fluid and thank me later.
I concure with tonum24. And do it now before your extreme good luck runs out! Redline is excellent but there is nothing wrong wth the Mercon specified on the dipstick, as witnessed by your present mileage.
Last edited by tsdrallyer; Feb 28, 2004 at 11:06 AM.
ok changing the tranny fluid. just unsrew the nuts holding the filter and drain? then replace filter? is that all there is to it? or do I have to drain the whole system? and how? also, how do I drain the torque converter, and where is it located? any help would be great.. somethings I know, somethings I want to learn..
ok so do i just remove the nuts from the pan holding the filter and drain and replace filter? or do i have to drain the whole system? and how? and also how do i drain the torque converter? and where is it located? 2000 Expy EB 5.4.
Somethings I know, somethings i want to learn
check under the technical articles section for a do it yourself article....do a search for transmission and you will likely get all your questions answered...
if you want the easy way out (like I did) go to a good local shop or Firestone and have them do a full Tranny service...at FS they let on the bay and assist so I could see the tranny and what was going on...don't expect to see many gears if it has been a while....enjoy.
I suggest having the fluid flushed by a shop. I was making an appointment for some warranty work and noticed my Ford dealer charges $125 for a transmission flush/fluid change.
I just had this done by one of the local car care centers in my home town for $75. They used a T-Tech 300 machine and flushed 18 quarts of fluid through the trans and converter. My Jeep shifts and runs a lot smother now. I will be taking our 99 EB Expy in the first of the month for its turn.
Originally posted by tonum24 Preventive maintenance? 90k miles? Not flush-the word is change and all of it including the torque converter and yes a new filter. Use Red Line fluid and thank me later.
That's what a trans flush does- it changes all the fluid, including the fluid in the torque converter.
I would change that filter for sure. Just did mine today. Replaced filter and 14 quarts of Mercon in an E4OD (4R100) 5.4. Did it for 36.00 my cost. Torque convertor drain is in the torque convertor itself. There is a rubber plug at the bottom of the front of the transmission. Pull the rubber plug and turn engine crankshaft with socket wrench on crank pulley bolt till the drain plug is aligned with the hole. Remove plug with an 11mm socket tool. Drain completely. Clean out the pan. Reinstall pan torquing all bolts evenly. Fill with about 8 quarts then start the engine. Shift thru the gears with your foot on the brake. Add 3 quarts... shift thru the gears. Add 1 quart at a time till you reach the hatch mark on the stick. Allow engine to warm fully and recheck and fill to halfway up the hatch mark on the stick. Check for leaks. Your done.
That's what a trans flush does- it changes all the fluid, including the fluid in the torque converter.
That is correct. But, the places I checked near me, do not drop the pan, so the fluid gets 100% changed out, but the filter does not. Just to be safe, I am going to do it the old fashioned way so I can put in a clean filter. Also, if you drop the pan, it is worth the extra few minutes and a few $$ to install a drain plug if you don't have one.
I would change that filter for sure.... Check for leaks. Your done.
Homer,
What are your feelings on doing a flush with a T-Tech machine rather than draining the torque converter through the drain plug? I know in the particular instance you quoted above, you say to change the filter, but is it always necessary to change the filter? Obviously with your experience, you should know
On a related topic...I have a 99 Taurus wagon with the 24V Duratec V6. I was reading the Taurus Club website (forums) and apparently Taurus' are notorious for losing their tranny's due to overheating/boiling of the fluid. They (the forum participants) tend to lean toward an auxiliary tranny cooler...what are your thoughts on that?
There are too many variables to say that you MUST replace the filter... you might get by with the max duration possible. I just would hate to be the guy facing a 2500.00 transmission overhaul or replacement and be wondering in the back of my mind "if only I had changed the filter".
I havent seen nearly as many late model Taurus transmission replacements as I did with the 95 and earlier models. If you put it through rough service and/or high temperature operation (desert), mountainous travel, etc then a cooler would not hurt anything. My wife has a 99 Duratec and its been just fine so far and we live in a very hot summer climate. As in all things mechanical, "your mileage may vary" dependent on use, maintenance and the luck of the draw. IMHO
Last edited by HomerWinzlow; Sep 19, 2004 at 09:07 PM.