Flushing transmission fluid
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Junior User
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Flushing transmission fluid
Is there a good way to flush transmision fluid out of the transmission? I have a mazda--- I disconnected the inlet cooler hose and put it in a bucket. Then you start the engine and add back thru the dipstick about as fast as it comes out the hose into the bucket. Pretty soon clean oil is coming out and you stop. This way you flush all of the old oil out of the torque converter. Is this OK on Aerostar?
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Junior User
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I didn't know there was a plug on the converter itself. I assume you drain it after you pull the panand filter. I have to do that anyway, so that would be the best time to do it. My only concern is getting all of the old oil out.
Thanks
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Dallas, Texas
They came with plugs up to 2001 I have been told. The fluid will come out of the converter like oil does. If you remove the starter and the flywheel cover you can turn it with a large pry bar till you see it.
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Thanks for the reply. I think I might just go with the flush into a bucket. Might install a bigger cooler while I am at it. Got any suggestions on what kind/size/type. Stacked plate design are supposed to be more efficient size for size than tube type.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Kansas
Originally Posted by Muffinman
They came with plugs up to 2001 I have been told. The fluid will come out of the converter like oil does. If you remove the starter and the flywheel cover you can turn it with a large pry bar till you see it.
One of the best ways to get most of the oil out of a transmission is to drop the pan, change the filter and while it is off, install a drain plug in the pan. (Available at most part stores for about $10) After all is together and you have refilled the tranny, run it for a few minutes and drop the plug to again to drain the oil. After refilling, you will have changed about 75% of the oil. It get a higher percentage, you will need a tranny flush with a machine and the shops and dealers make a lot of money with these.
I've yet to see a torque conveter drain plug from any vehicle from around the year 2001, but if there is I'll gladly say that I was wrong. There were a few from 10 years earlier maybe........
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Yes I agree with K when I heard there might be a plug for draining fluid I was scratching my head.
To flush the fluid put a bucket under the pan loosen all the pan bolts but two and tip the pan so a little fluid can drain off then fully loosen the pan and fully dump the rest of the fluid.
The reason Ford didn't install a drain plug is because most importantly to them its cheaper and may dissway some diyers and if they did people wouldn't replace the filter. Which you should do.
You should purchase:
1. A replacement tranny pan gasket
2. A tranny filter
3. A drain plug (Optional)
4. The proper tranny fluid
The filter comes off with a few bolts once you have the pan off so its a good idea to replace this while your at it. Just like you replace your oil filter when you change your oil you should change your tranny filter when you change your tranny fluid
.
To flush the fluid put a bucket under the pan loosen all the pan bolts but two and tip the pan so a little fluid can drain off then fully loosen the pan and fully dump the rest of the fluid.
The reason Ford didn't install a drain plug is because most importantly to them its cheaper and may dissway some diyers and if they did people wouldn't replace the filter. Which you should do.
You should purchase:
1. A replacement tranny pan gasket
2. A tranny filter
3. A drain plug (Optional)
4. The proper tranny fluid
The filter comes off with a few bolts once you have the pan off so its a good idea to replace this while your at it. Just like you replace your oil filter when you change your oil you should change your tranny filter when you change your tranny fluid
.
Last edited by krankshaft; Mar 22, 2005 at 11:31 PM.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
This article isn't for an Aerostar but most of it still applies.......
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html
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Postmaster
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From: Southern California
I opted for something easy and simple. Go to Home Depot and buy a solder joint T for 3/8" copper tubing. Solder a short piece of copper tubing to each of the 3 ends, and put a ball valve on the middle stump. You can buy the ball valve at Home Depot, the total bill for me was about 10 dollars or so.
Now splice the other two ends of the T in between the tranny (or power steering) return line and keep the valve shut.
Since the valve is shut, you can keep the engine running and nothing out of the ordinary is happening yet. Keep the engine running and open the valve for a few seconds at a time. Every time you open the valve, part of the fluid will drain through it instead of returning to the tranny. My strategy is: drain one quart, pour in one quart, and the engine is running all the time. For the power steering you might want to drain only 1/2 pint at a time, otherwise your pump will run dry.
Keep doing that until the fluid runs red. Be prepared to use a lot of fluids.
Now splice the other two ends of the T in between the tranny (or power steering) return line and keep the valve shut.
Since the valve is shut, you can keep the engine running and nothing out of the ordinary is happening yet. Keep the engine running and open the valve for a few seconds at a time. Every time you open the valve, part of the fluid will drain through it instead of returning to the tranny. My strategy is: drain one quart, pour in one quart, and the engine is running all the time. For the power steering you might want to drain only 1/2 pint at a time, otherwise your pump will run dry.
Keep doing that until the fluid runs red. Be prepared to use a lot of fluids.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
You can remove the trans pan,
replace the filter,
replace the pan with new gasket,
disconnect the trans line going to the upper drivers side of the radiator using a brake line wrench 5/8" if I remember right,
install a plug into the radiator to keep any fluid that might come out in,
add a tight fitting rubber hose to over the end of the trans line to a drain pan about 3-4 feet should do it,
add 5 quarts of fluid to the filler tube,
start engine and let idle keeping track of how much approximate fluid comes out as you add new fluid in,
after you have added four more quarts and the fluid is looking very red wait for the first minor sign of air,
quickly turn off the engine,
reinstall the trans line to the radiator,
restart the engine and select all the gears including neutral for five seconds,
let the engine warm up to operating temp,
check for leaks,
recheck fluid level by running through the gears as stated,
add fluid as needed.
This procedure should take about 12 quarts of fluid if done right, the trans and system holds approximately 11 quarts. This will work with the Explorer, Aerostar, Ranger and some others.
Ford did not put a drain plug in the Torque converter of these vehicles.
replace the filter,
replace the pan with new gasket,
disconnect the trans line going to the upper drivers side of the radiator using a brake line wrench 5/8" if I remember right,
install a plug into the radiator to keep any fluid that might come out in,
add a tight fitting rubber hose to over the end of the trans line to a drain pan about 3-4 feet should do it,
add 5 quarts of fluid to the filler tube,
start engine and let idle keeping track of how much approximate fluid comes out as you add new fluid in,
after you have added four more quarts and the fluid is looking very red wait for the first minor sign of air,
quickly turn off the engine,
reinstall the trans line to the radiator,
restart the engine and select all the gears including neutral for five seconds,
let the engine warm up to operating temp,
check for leaks,
recheck fluid level by running through the gears as stated,
add fluid as needed.
This procedure should take about 12 quarts of fluid if done right, the trans and system holds approximately 11 quarts. This will work with the Explorer, Aerostar, Ranger and some others.
Ford did not put a drain plug in the Torque converter of these vehicles.
Last edited by Ponyracer; Mar 23, 2005 at 11:38 AM.
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Junior User
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Thanks for the info. I have an aux cooler, so I'll disconnect the hose from there and flush into a bucket after changing the filter.
BTW,FWIW, I got curious after reading posts about low temp perfromance of trans fluids. I emailed Royal Purple and went to the Amsoil wesite. Synthetic fluid will flow down to around -40f. Check this link http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx. Mineral base is somewhat less.
Thanks again for the info.
BTW,FWIW, I got curious after reading posts about low temp perfromance of trans fluids. I emailed Royal Purple and went to the Amsoil wesite. Synthetic fluid will flow down to around -40f. Check this link http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx. Mineral base is somewhat less.
Thanks again for the info.
Last edited by Stavid; Mar 23, 2005 at 08:20 PM.