Suggestions on changing Trans fluid?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Suggestions on changing Trans fluid?
I have a 2000 E-350 Super Duty cargo van w/V10 and was wondering about the trans fluid.. How often should this be changed( I hardly ever tow any loads over 3,000 lbs? Any recommendations on doing this job? Also, i bought this van used at a cargo van dealer and it was the only one that WASN'T white(fleet). I could tell it had been custom ordered. Isn't there a way to figure out what the gear ratio is by the VIN#?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,733
Likes: 38
I change it every 30,000 miles ot tweo years or after a long heavy haul where I know it got pretty hot.
Not sure on the vin and gear ratio but post the numbers off the rear end tags and some one here will translate it. Hard to search for the posts that list all the codes but they are in here some where. I did two quick searches and couldn't drag them out and my brain can't hold all that crap.
Not sure on the vin and gear ratio but post the numbers off the rear end tags and some one here will translate it. Hard to search for the posts that list all the codes but they are in here some where. I did two quick searches and couldn't drag them out and my brain can't hold all that crap.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 7
From: Gretna ,LA.
I suggest flushing.It flushes out the cooler etc.I got to try out my friends brand new machine at his repair shop.Ford says dont change the filter if you flush,but i did anyway.We cut it open and it was clean as a whistle.I am due for one right now.I did the overkill method-flushed it,then drained the oil again [dropped the pan] and changed the filter,then refilled again.I used double oil,but oh well.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Slideway, the manual says 30,000 miles. Moreover, the 4R100 transmission does not like heat and if you ever think you got it hot, drain and flush right away. I always change the filter after flushing to check for metal particles and the heart beat of it. These transmission are known to give you a good working life or a very short one. I have had both so far. Frankly has little to do with oil change or flushing. My first one failed at 12,000 miles, then again at round 20-25,000. A friend of mine got 100,000 miles out of his. So there you go. If you ever have a failure, make sure that oil cooler is flushed well or replaced as there pockets in there where debri hold up and eventually let go to ruin the new install. The Ford dealer that did mine did not follow good flushing practices and I believe that led to my early failure on the second go around. Same truck. Good news was it was all covered under warranty after some hassle with Ford over the towing issue. I was towing a 34 ft 5th wheel and they tried to tell me it was beyond The Power Stroke towing capabilty. When confronted with weight and previous failures learned from the web sites like this one they relented. But, what a hassle!
