Transmission fluid change?
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 52
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flush
I just had mine flushed.Dealer flushed it.Seems like everyone I phoned in the book flushed.Said it was better because you got all the old fluid out.They told me if you just drop the pan you do not get all the oil out.Tranny shifts and works smother.Glad I did it.165,000 KM.Mercon 5,1999 F150 Xlt 4x4 
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 397
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From: Scottsdale
Flush, drop, drain, don't flush???
Almost no one has said the same thing. Some would never flush, some swear by flushing. Some pump it out and don't drop the pan, some say change the screen/filter and clean the pan, every 30k, don't do anything if it hasn't given you trouble for 100k. This truly is one of those things that no one agrees.
So if the old time experts would answer my question. 55,000 miles, '03 F150 5.4 tow package and I tow 5000lbs often. Change fliuid, filter/screen, Flush completely, or leave it alone until something happens. I'm showing some hard shifting patterns when it's cold and also when towing up hills.
I look forward to your help.
So if the old time experts would answer my question. 55,000 miles, '03 F150 5.4 tow package and I tow 5000lbs often. Change fliuid, filter/screen, Flush completely, or leave it alone until something happens. I'm showing some hard shifting patterns when it's cold and also when towing up hills.
I look forward to your help.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 373
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For what it's worth, I'm 42, dose that make me an old timer? Basically, the more new the better. It's just a question of bang for your buck. I've never seen a filter/oil change that didn't improve a transmission's operation. I don't think it's worth the trouble to change all or flush one, but you might. I don't think you'll be able to tell the difference between a 5qt filter/oil change and a complete flush. And if a flush makes that big of a difference, then you've about worn your bands out and fluid or not, you're not going any where when they give up. So a flush can only help, so go for it if it's worth it to you.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 397
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From: Scottsdale
By old timer, I meant knowledge, otherwise I'm as old as dirt! I understand your point about more new. My thought is at only 55k, how much of that sludge that everyone fears is going to escape into the system and ruin my world has really had a chance to gather? What is the chance that my bands are gone at this low mileage and what would the symtpoms be. I think I'll flush. Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
Although you're supposed to change at 30K, 55K is not that bad. Any sludge should be manageable.
Personally, I would drop the pan, change the filter and re-fill. Mine has the torque converter drain plug, but I don't think yours does, so you won't get all the fluid. Still, this should be better than letting it go, and more cost-effective and safer than a power flush. Do it again in 6 months if you want to be thorough.
The base hydraulic fluid does not really "wear out", but the additives do and, as has been stated, sludge forms. So the fluid needs to be replaced. The sooner this is done, the better for your transmission. This won't correct any excess wear or damage that may have been done, but it will minimize further deterioration.
A fluid change often cures hard shifting.
Personally, I would drop the pan, change the filter and re-fill. Mine has the torque converter drain plug, but I don't think yours does, so you won't get all the fluid. Still, this should be better than letting it go, and more cost-effective and safer than a power flush. Do it again in 6 months if you want to be thorough.
The base hydraulic fluid does not really "wear out", but the additives do and, as has been stated, sludge forms. So the fluid needs to be replaced. The sooner this is done, the better for your transmission. This won't correct any excess wear or damage that may have been done, but it will minimize further deterioration.
A fluid change often cures hard shifting.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
I'd also like to comment on the pan filter. As in any hydraulic system, insoluble particulates (sludge) are a bad thing and should be filtered out. But the only thing worse than contaminated fluid, is NO fluid. Because so many people never change their trans fluid, the engineers are concerned that the filter might plug up, so they design it to be rather coarse. As has been stated, it's really more of a screen.
For maximum transmission life, an auxiliary filter should be installed in the cooler line. Ford uses these on some heavy duty packages, and they are available as a Ford accessory, or in the aftermarket.
For maximum transmission life, an auxiliary filter should be installed in the cooler line. Ford uses these on some heavy duty packages, and they are available as a Ford accessory, or in the aftermarket.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 692
Likes: 1
From: Saratoga USA
ssd- I'm going to go counter to most posts here. If it was my truck with 165K on it, and the tranny was shifting fine, I'd leave it alone at this point. Let me put it this way, if you leave it alone it will need to be rebuilt sometime in the future, but if you open it up, and dirt gets flushed into the valve body, you'll need to rebuild it now. Heck, with 165K on it, you've gotten your money's worth as it is! Sometimes the old adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it!" is a really good one.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 485
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From: DIXIE
I thought all of the late model F150's with the 40r70w had a plug in the torque converter. If I was going to go to all of the trouble to pull the pan, why not spend an extra 5 mins to drain the 8 quarts out of the converter? The pan is the hard part.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 373
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Mainly because there's really nothing wrong with that "8qts" in the converter. You pull the pan to change the filter and remove the gunk.
Plus theres the time it takes to refill the converter and there's only one way to do that, start it and keep pouring fluid in all the while things are spinning dry without any fluid. If you want to change all the fluid, have it flushed.
btw, most Fords have had drain plugs in their converters for atleast 50 years that I now of.
Plus theres the time it takes to refill the converter and there's only one way to do that, start it and keep pouring fluid in all the while things are spinning dry without any fluid. If you want to change all the fluid, have it flushed.
btw, most Fords have had drain plugs in their converters for atleast 50 years that I now of.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 485
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From: DIXIE
btw, most Fords have had drain plugs in their converters for atleast 50 years that I now of.
As far as draining the converter, filling it the way you described is exactly what I do and it works perfectly. Its the way it was designed and causes no problems at all. I disagree that theres nothing wrong with "that "8qts" in the converter". If its brown or burnt, it all needs to be replaced. This is the easiest, most cost effective way to change the fluid and it is 100% safe for the tranny. Thats why the plug is there.
