Trans oil change
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 181
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From: Petaluma, Ca.
Trans oil change
I've got a '97 shorty with 78,000 miles. I don't think the tranny fluid has ever been changed. However, the fluid is a clean red color with no signs of burning or dirt.
I have seen on this forum alot of concern about changing the tranny fluid frequently. Is this something that should be done regardless of the condition of the fluid?
Beaned
I have seen on this forum alot of concern about changing the tranny fluid frequently. Is this something that should be done regardless of the condition of the fluid?
Beaned
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
If the fluid is clean and red it does not need to be replaced. Ford started equipping the Aerostars with a transmission cooler (visible through the slots in the front bumper) in later years - my 95 has one. It seems that vans equipped with the coolers have far fewer transmission problems than earlier years.
Cheers,
Eric
Cheers,
Eric
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Clean and red or not I still think it's a good idea to include trans oil and filter changes in regular maintenance. The oil can still look ok but may have lost some of the properties it has when new.
When the pan is removed to change the oil you can look at the magnet to see if there are any chunks, you can see if there is any dirt and junk in the pan etc.
That's just my opinion....feel free to argue with me
When the pan is removed to change the oil you can look at the magnet to see if there are any chunks, you can see if there is any dirt and junk in the pan etc.
That's just my opinion....feel free to argue with me
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: earth
Actually I didn' change it my self, i brought it to a trans. service and have them flush & replace with ArmSoil syn. I think since it has some old reg. oil. in the converter, so i probably flush it again at 12,000 miles and then will go with the 30,000 as call for.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
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From: Northern California
If you plan on keeping the van for awhile, have a drain plug installed in the trans pan. I had a friend who worked at a transmission shop (family owned) and he installed a drain plug for $15, including the plug which was from the "HELP" line of aftermarket parts. When you can drain the fluid out first, it is so much easier to pull the pan down, when it is light and empty. I think you are more apt to change the trans fluid at a once a year interval, whether it needs it or not. Plus, you don't have to change the filter every time, with my Aerostar, I only drop the pan once every third fluid change. I've been using Chevron's ATF, with it's Dexron IIE, Dexron III specs with excellent results, and buying it by the case at Costco, it's only pennies over a dollar a quart. If I towed anything with the Aerostar, I would go with a quality synthetic ATF. Red Line, Royal Purple Max ATF, or Mobil 1 ATF. Lastly, my friend at the trans shop tells me they install drain plugs all the time on pans, as an add-on sale for 15-20 bucks for trans that don't have drain plugs, as well as DIY'ers who simply bring in a loose pan, and what a plug in it. It takes less than ten minutes, many customers simply wait, and walk out shortly afterward. Good luck.