We have a Texaco XPress Lube near here. I used to have my '01 7.3's automatic flushed every 15,000 miles with their service called T-tech. This machine hooks up to both trans. coolant lines and backfills new fluid into the trans. while pulling out the old fluid. Since it's backfilled, they claim you shouldn't have to replace the filter (the backflushing cleans it out). It make sense this would be a pretty thorough fluid swap but with my new '05 torqueshift, I'm looking for feedback. Anyone familiar with this service? Thanks

 

You should always replace the filter. They're cheap and easy, so why take chances.

 

Funny,

Today, I just had my truck serviced the same way you did. Backflushed, and was told I need not have the pan dropped and filter changed.

It was at a Jiffy Lube. Now you would have to think that too much is at stake for them to not be telling you the truth right?

Anyway, while they were servicing my truck this way, one of the other customers in the lobby told me he had well over 200k on his truck and never ONCE, not once did he ever have the pan dropped and filter changed, he only flushed the system out and had new trans fluid put it.

Is this method legit?

 

Yes, the method is legit, but bit misunderstood.

There is no way to backflush a transmission. You can't force fluid to flow the opposite way, there are check valves in the trans (like a big pump) that won't allow that to happen. Most of the flush machines use the transmission's pump to pump out the old fluid and force in the new. How would it pump backwards?

I've cut open filters with many miles on them. The only ones that had enough in them to need changing are the ones that came from failed transmissions. If the trans is working normally the filter doesn't have enough in it to make it worth changing. If you read your owner's manual you will notice that Ford recommends fluid changes, but never recommends filter changes. I change mine every other fluid change, but Ford doesn't even recommend that much. And I'll bet they know more about it than we do.

 

Yes this system works, and having done it a number of times. There is a need to change filters but not every time, especially not every 15k. I change customer filters if there has been a failure, if the fluid was extremely dirty, or if they have put in stop leak ever.

 

Thanks for the good points. I think I'll use them as well for my torqueshift. I still plan on servicing this trans. every 15K, since I do so much towing. Aside from the fluid changing steps I learned on dieselstop.com (too involved for my tastes), seems like a pretty close process to a complete fluid swap. I will for sure check the specs on their fluid though.

 

Sorry to hijack this thread, but since we're on the topic:

My wife's '97 Expedition has 120k miles on it. We purchased it used in '01. It had 65k miles on it then. A few months later, at 70k miles, I had the transmission fluid changed at a local Precision Tune. I have no clue as to what type of machine they used, but it was supposed to remove ALL the old fluid.

Anyway, it shifted fine until about 80k miles, when a 2nd-3rd gear shift solenoid went bad. I don't know if this was at all related to the previous trans. service???? The local Ford dealer repaired it in late '02 or early '03 <can 't="" remember="" exactly="">. I don't know if they did a full fluid and/or filter change when they replaced the solenoid .

Well, it's been 40k miles & I think the transmission fluid should be changed again. Like the original poster, I also have a Texaco Xpress Lube near me. I assume they use the T-Tech flush machine. Given the history of this Expedition, do you guys think it would be safe to have the fluid changed via the T-Tech method.

Thanks in advance.</can>

 

I would think it would be fine. Like I stated, I had my '01 serviced this way at least four times until I sold it. The first time they did it, I had a new filter for it. I was having the differentials serviced as well and told them they had to change the filter or I would have to go somewhere else. They agreed (and I watched to make sure!).

This service costs about $90. If yours was about the same, I would think it was the same service. The only problem I ever had was one time a line wasn't sealed tightly enough. It had snowed and I saw a few red drops underneath the cooler. It took them about ten minutes to fix.

Another advantage: you can stop in anytime and they'll top off those fluids they service for free.

 

As for the 2-3 shift solenoid going out, that has nothing to do with the fluid change. When they changed the solenoid at the dealership they would have dropped the pan and changed the solenoid and either put the same fluid back in and just added new to get it full again, this results in roughly a 40-50% change of fluid. The only way that they would have changed all the fluid and filter is if you specifically asked and paid for that service. What color is the fluid on the dipstick? If its still red and clean then no worries. I have seen some ATF go as long as 100K before getting dirty, it all depends on what you do with the vehicle. If you want, go ahead and get the service.

 

wickymustang,

When I wipe the trans. fluid dipstick on a white paper towel, the fluid is still bright red. Are you saying I shouldn't bother with changing the fluid if it doesn't look dirty?

 

What is the primary use of this vehicle? If it is a pampered DD then I would save the money and check it again at 50 or 60k. If it does a lot of towing/hauling, or is driven like you stole it then it wouldn't be a bad idea. Also, if you can look back to the receipt from the dealer and see if they just reused your fluid or if they added new to top off. If they topped it off with new fluid I would leave it be. If the fluid is still nice and RED, and has no particles on it I wouldn't change it. If it is BROWN it is starting to get burnt and would be worth considering. If it is BLACK then you need to get it flushed ASAP!!!

 

Torqueshift needs the Sp oil, I think Ford is still the only one that carries this.

 

what does the manual say?

ie: mine says to flush every 30k then a tranny pan drop and filter change at 120k....

 

The T-Tech flush method is okay, as long as the trans filters can be changed.

If you simply add a trans pan drain plug, you're good to go. With the trans plug, you can drain the fluid, drop the pan, replace filter, and snug it back up. A 15 minutes job, and that's taking your time.
$90 is steep. For that, I can change my ATF, ATF filter, and run synthetic ATF from RED LINE, ROYAL PURPLE, ect. and still be $ ahead.

 

The $90 sounds normal for this service, remember the torqshift takes the Mercon SP atf not the standard Mercon fluid, I have no idea what the difference is.