transmission oil changes
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Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 71
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From: Houston USA
transmission oil changes
I am shopping around checking prices on a transmission oil and filter change for a '94 F-150 S/C 351ci with the E4OD transmission. I was under the impression that all transmission shops perform a power flush. Boy was I wrong. Not a single shop that I talked to does a flush. They pull the pan and change the filter, replace the pan and add however many quarts it takes to fill it up. The Ford dealer here does a power flush for $179.00. Does anyone have any experience with this ?? How important is a power flush vs. a simple drain and refill ? I have received price quotes from $59.00 to $179.00.
Thanks for your time !!
Thanks for your time !!
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
The transmission guy that I use (been in the business for over 38 years) states that the "power flush" is a waste of money. How do you seperate the old fluid from the new fluid that you are putting in the trans, they mix as new is added. He says to drain & drop pan, remove inspection plate for TC, rotate engine to access drain plug on TC, remove plug & drain TC. Replace plug in TC & inspection plate, install new filter & pan gasket, replace pan. Add 6 quarts of fluid start engine at idle (do not rev.) add remaining fluid ASAP until full.
I have done this on several trans and it works good, it only leaves the fluid that is in the value body in the trans. This guy builds racing trans for about 10 guys in my area and they all swear by him and say they have never had one of his trans fail, they wear the bands and clutches out racing but the trans hold up.
Hope this helps.
I have done this on several trans and it works good, it only leaves the fluid that is in the value body in the trans. This guy builds racing trans for about 10 guys in my area and they all swear by him and say they have never had one of his trans fail, they wear the bands and clutches out racing but the trans hold up.
Hope this helps.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> The Ford dealer here does a power flush for $179.00.
> Does anyone have any experience with this ??
Rip off gimmick where it is performed usually for two reasons.
The service manager gets a large spiff for every job/can of flush. Inside the can is a coin redeemable for a certain amount in a catalog of treasures.
The help is so bone headed the only job they are qualified for is hooking up one hose to another, if that.
The flush only works if the proper procedure and warm up (which means driving the car) is performed and it never is. The flush does not clean your filter or the sediment from the bottom of your pan.
All the transmission guys I ever knew and worked with at car dealerships that rebuilt transmissions never flushed their own vehicles and just dropped the pan even though it was messier. That tells you something right there.
> Does anyone have any experience with this ??
Rip off gimmick where it is performed usually for two reasons.
The service manager gets a large spiff for every job/can of flush. Inside the can is a coin redeemable for a certain amount in a catalog of treasures.
The help is so bone headed the only job they are qualified for is hooking up one hose to another, if that.
The flush only works if the proper procedure and warm up (which means driving the car) is performed and it never is. The flush does not clean your filter or the sediment from the bottom of your pan.
All the transmission guys I ever knew and worked with at car dealerships that rebuilt transmissions never flushed their own vehicles and just dropped the pan even though it was messier. That tells you something right there.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 225
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I would also suggest an aftermarket filter for the trans. The factory filter is nothing more than a screen, and can't filter out smaller material. I just rebuild my trans and installed a perma-cool filter and temp gauge kit. This filter uses an engine oil type filter to filter the trans. The key here is to not forget about it, and change the filter every so often, so it doesn't plug up and kill your trans from no fluid flow!
I concur with the other replies though, all the mechanics I've talked to suggest draining the pan and the converter to change the oil. Don't waste the money on a power flush! Just take care of your trans, change the oil every 1-2 years, and it will last a long long time.
I concur with the other replies though, all the mechanics I've talked to suggest draining the pan and the converter to change the oil. Don't waste the money on a power flush! Just take care of your trans, change the oil every 1-2 years, and it will last a long long time.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I posted a similar question a couple of days ago: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=472689
So there are various opinions .... I haven't figured out what I'm gonna do myself yet.
-rlp
So there are various opinions .... I haven't figured out what I'm gonna do myself yet.
-rlp
