Transmission Fluid Change
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Transmission Fluid Change
My mom has a 95 Aerostar 4.0L V6 with 175,000 miles on it. I would like to attempt to change the transmission fluid. I've heard that changing the fluid on a high mileage vehicle can cause leaks and that it's not recommended. Is this true? The fluid has never been changed to my knowledge. Also, how hard is this to do? I really don't want to take it to a shop if it can be done in the driveway.
Thanks
Thanks
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From: The Show Me State
misty24,
Just my opinion, but it's based on owning two A*s driven over 200K each. IF, and only IF, you have a transmission shop you trust, by all means take it there! Yes, you SHOULD change the transmission fluid, and yes, can do the change in the driveway. But if you can pay a little more to a trusted shop you'll be at least a little more certain that it was done "right" and that it'll stay sealed.
DadVan
Just my opinion, but it's based on owning two A*s driven over 200K each. IF, and only IF, you have a transmission shop you trust, by all means take it there! Yes, you SHOULD change the transmission fluid, and yes, can do the change in the driveway. But if you can pay a little more to a trusted shop you'll be at least a little more certain that it was done "right" and that it'll stay sealed.
DadVan
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Its not a real chore however the Aeros tranny pan doesn't have a drain plug so you will need to buy a new pan gasket and loosen the pan bolts to drain the fluid.
The reason I heard they did this is because when the pans had drain plugs you would just drain the fluid and not replace the filter.
To drain the fluid place a catch pan under the tranny remove all the bolts but 2 on one side and tip the pain to drain enough fluid so you can lower it.
Once you have drained enough fluid remove those 2 bolts lower the pan and dump the remaining fluid into your catch pan.
Once the tranny pan is off replace the filter it is secured by a few bolts and is located directly under the tranny pan.
Afterwards install the new filter, put on the new gasket, reinstall the pan, and fill with fluid through the dipstick hole.
A little bit more involved then an oil change but well within anyones reach
.
The reason I heard they did this is because when the pans had drain plugs you would just drain the fluid and not replace the filter.
To drain the fluid place a catch pan under the tranny remove all the bolts but 2 on one side and tip the pain to drain enough fluid so you can lower it.
Once you have drained enough fluid remove those 2 bolts lower the pan and dump the remaining fluid into your catch pan.
Once the tranny pan is off replace the filter it is secured by a few bolts and is located directly under the tranny pan.
Afterwards install the new filter, put on the new gasket, reinstall the pan, and fill with fluid through the dipstick hole.
A little bit more involved then an oil change but well within anyones reach
.
Last edited by krankshaft; May 7, 2005 at 04:17 AM.
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So - just to clarify here (thinking of doing this myself) this only gets about 2.5 or 3 of the 11.5 quarts or so changed? Even if it's a bit more work wouldn't it be better to actually replace as much of the fluid as possible using the tranny cooler connections, etc?
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
What I used to do is after I replaced the fluid I used the van for a few days to circulate the old fluid and afterwards I drained the fluid one final time and replaced it this allows all the old fluid to mix with the new stuff.
By all means your way would work too and thats what I do now since the above process is simpler but is time consuming due to the double work.
Just make sure before you remove any cooler line that they are in good shape if you are prepared to disturb a bad one be ready to replace it if it leaks afterwards.
While most people would consider this a flush rather then a change its a good thing for a vehicle that hasn't had its fluid changed in some time.
By all means your way would work too and thats what I do now since the above process is simpler but is time consuming due to the double work.
Just make sure before you remove any cooler line that they are in good shape if you are prepared to disturb a bad one be ready to replace it if it leaks afterwards.
While most people would consider this a flush rather then a change its a good thing for a vehicle that hasn't had its fluid changed in some time.
Last edited by krankshaft; May 7, 2005 at 03:54 PM.
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You could also install a drain plug in the pan while changing the fluid. I did that about 20K ago and then drained and added fresh tranny fluid with each subsequent oil change. I'm sure that flushes out a good portion of the old contaminated fluid and anything is an improvement over having to drop the pan on a regular basis.
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Kansas
Originally Posted by krankshaft
If you intend to install a drain plug make sure its at the lowest point of the pan.
I've used two different brands of add-on drain plugs, a name brand and a generic. Both work fine. IMO, this is the easiest, cleanest way to change just about ALL of the transmission fluid. Change the fluid. Refill. Start the car and let it circulate a few minutes. Repeat process.
Nice and clean with no fluid shooting who-knows-where with the unhooked hose process.
On your previous post you stated the they removed the plug so people wouldn't change the oil and not the filter. Unfortunately, most dealers push the new "tranny flu$h" machine. This machine changes the oil and not the filter. Seems like the dealers have taken one step forward and two steps back.
Last edited by Kruse; May 8, 2005 at 07:00 AM. Reason: typo
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Thats progress for you the dealers are always trying to do everything quicker and not always better.
The oil filter is always replaced during an oil change why not the tranny filter they are both vital parts especially if your tranny filter was never replaced you don't have to replace it at every change just every once in awhile.
I bet if the oil filter wasn't so easy to replace dealers would say replacement for that is extra too.
The oil filter is always replaced during an oil change why not the tranny filter they are both vital parts especially if your tranny filter was never replaced you don't have to replace it at every change just every once in awhile.
I bet if the oil filter wasn't so easy to replace dealers would say replacement for that is extra too.
Last edited by krankshaft; May 8, 2005 at 03:32 PM.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Yes, only about 50% of the old fluid comes out, most of it is still left in the un-drainable torque converter. There is a "method" to drain the torque converter, but it's messy. I learned about the capacity of the transmission the hard way after 1 quart of transmission fluid came out of the vent tube(?) and all over my driveway.
Then, after a few days of driving around, I kept smelling tranny fluid. Sure enough, I STILL had too much in there and it was coming out of the vent tube at high RPM. It's fine now, although the next change ( if there is one) will be done by a professional and flushed with a machine.
It's not a hard job to do, takes a bit more time and effort then an engine oil change. But if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, take it to a shop you trust or ask around if you don't know. Some service is better left to the local shop, dealer or franchise. It's better to spend $90 now and have a pro change it or risk doing damage by either NOT doing it or doing it wrong and having to shell out $800+ for a new tranny, plus labor!
Then, after a few days of driving around, I kept smelling tranny fluid. Sure enough, I STILL had too much in there and it was coming out of the vent tube at high RPM. It's fine now, although the next change ( if there is one) will be done by a professional and flushed with a machine.
It's not a hard job to do, takes a bit more time and effort then an engine oil change. But if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, take it to a shop you trust or ask around if you don't know. Some service is better left to the local shop, dealer or franchise. It's better to spend $90 now and have a pro change it or risk doing damage by either NOT doing it or doing it wrong and having to shell out $800+ for a new tranny, plus labor!