I'm gonna flush the trans fluid in my truck soon. It's a 2001 4.6 with 65k on it. It's also an auto.

I haven't looked into much becuase I haven't had the time lately. If you could help, I'd appreciate it...

What weight fluid and how much? I'm assuming the filter just slides out and the new one just slides back in? Also, when the pan is off, I think you are supposed to clean the inside with brake cleaner...will 1 can suffice? I've done it on a Honda before, but it was a couple years ago, and the Honda had a "dealer's manual" with it with all the specs and crap. This truck doesn't.

Lastly, on checking it, for a RWD you are supposed to put it in neutral while running to check the level? Thanks in advance.

-Joe

 

I also have a 2001 4.6. It's a 4x2 with the 4R70W trans.

Mine uses Mercon V fluid; check your dipstick because you need to use the Mercon V (as opposed to regular Mercon) if it calls for that. Mine had a drain plug in the torque converter, but not all do. If yours does, you can do a more complete change. Pull the rubber plug at the bottom of the bell housing and bump the starter until the a pipe plug comes into view. Shop manual says to use a new plug, but when I went into my dealer, they had none and the tech said they always re-use the old one.

Mine took about 12 qts as I recall, but yours could be different as I have some heavy duty/trailering components. I did make note of the exact amount, but I don't have my shop manual in front of me now. If you don't learn an exact amount, go a quart lower than what you think and bring it up later, cause its a PIA to drain any excess. In this regard you might want to get a pan w /plug or add a drain plug in case you do this again. I got an oversized cast aluminum pan. Not too critical how you clean the pan; I'm sure one can will be adequate--get most of the sludge with paper towels. Yes, you check the level in neutral (or park) engine running, after it is fully warmed up and you have shifted through all gears and set the parking brake.

Incidentally, you may find a plastic plug loose in the pan; don't panic, just discard it (It's from the dipstick tube and is released during factory assembly).

 

There is a technical article on this website and it describes in great detail how to identify your transmission and how to change the fluid in it. It's a well written article and the procedure works great. See the "Tech Articles" section.

 

i personally would reccomend you use a transmission fluid exchanger at a dealership. i'd do a flush with just fluid/filter at about 30k and at the rated 2nd fluid change i'd have the exchange done to help better flush it out and clean it. some of a trannies worst enemies besides fluid level and heat are contamination.

 

First off, I'm not sure why this post is in an engine forum, but oh well.

Be very cautious about FLUSHING auto transmissions. If the fluid is burnt and smells like turpentine, DON'T DO IT! With fluid in this condition, flushing with one of the flushing machines will often wash the linings off the clutches and the truck won't even back out of the stall. If the fluid is not burnt or smell bad, then just drain the trans, and torque converter, replace the filter and refill with correct fluid.

IMHO you should never let your a/t go so long between changes that you require the use of one of the flushing machines. BTW for every 10 degrees over the normal fluid temperature that the fluid reaches, the life of the fluid is cut in half.

Good luck,
Doc
ASE Master

 

well you shouldnt neeeed to go that long. seems a general guideline is pan fluid at 30k, flush 60, pan 90, flush 120, etc. sometimes the flush is easier than draining a t.c. too. important thing is to service it though unlike the c-4 in my '66 mustang with 170k miles and no new fluid ever....so i'm afraid to change it now, know telling what might come loose. btw if you drain it yourself and find very small ammounts of clutch material that's just normal and wont effect anything.

 

I flushed my fluid using the "tech article method" at 155,000 miles. The fluid was brown to black and smelled horrible. After going back and forth about changing it, I went ahead and did it for peace of mind. 1000 miles later, no problems. I feel better now knowing that there it some fluid with life in the tranny, rather than worn out ATF. 200 miles before the flush, I dropped the pan, changed the filter, and cleaned the magnet. There was no metal peices, or the like, in there so that was a relief. I should have flushed it, then dropped the pan, but none the less, it is done now.