tranmission fluid change?
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From: sault ste marie ontario
tranmission fluid change?
i have the 2003 f150 4.6 4x4. i bought the truck about a month ago,and was wondering when i should get the tranny fuid changed. the truck has 72,000 k.this is my first auto truck in 10 years and i tell you i dont miss rowing atall.
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From: Chicago Area
You probably should change it. Check your manual, but I believe the recommendation is every 50,000 miles, which equals about 80,000 km. Unless you know the history, this is one of the maintenance items I would do on any used vehicle. Be sure to use the fluid recommended on the dipstick, specifically Mercon or Mercon V.
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I have a 2003 F150 5.4 and am also looking to change my tranny filter and fluid. I checked the price a few days ago, just below 20 bucks. I do need a little more info as may you. Is it a 14 or 20 bolt pan, also about how many quarts of fluid should I have on hand?
Kevin
Kevin
Last edited by kjk; Jun 7, 2006 at 03:13 PM.
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From: Edgerton, WI
You shouldnt change the fluid yourself, you should get it flushed. If you just drop the pan, you wont get the majority of the fluid out. Most of the fluid is in the torque converter and dropping the pan wont get that fluid out.
I think that getting the tranny power flushed at the dealer runs about $150. If all you are going to do is drop the pan you might as well save yourself some time and not do it at all.
I think that getting the tranny power flushed at the dealer runs about $150. If all you are going to do is drop the pan you might as well save yourself some time and not do it at all.
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From: Eau Claire, WI
Originally Posted by Deere_Daze
I think that getting the tranny power flushed at the dealer runs about $150. If all you are going to do is drop the pan you might as well save yourself some time and not do it at all.
I've got to go to work, but alot of tranny's "die" after a powerflush...
New fluid, new filter... Drop the pan, put the new filter on, and fill it with cheaper fluid... Drive it a week or two, and then drop the pan again. This time, use the good stuff
How my family's done it for years, and we havent lost one tranny (except my cousins/uncles 73 stang... but thats a big can of worms to open)
~Nate
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im with Nathan, take the pan off, change the filter and the 5 quarts of oil in the pan, thats about 1/3 of the total, and you wil find lots of sludge in the pan and the magnet in the pan. that 1/3 is a sugnificant amount. I plan to change the 1/3 every other year. If you think you need more, changing the oil a couple times this summer, 5 quarts each time will sure help in the long run. Again, getting the crap off the pan floor and cleaning the magnet is a major step. The new oil will refresh the addatives in the oil and help shifing.
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From: Edgerton, WI
I guess my father and neibor (whom are both Ford techs) dont know what they are talking about then.
You cant drop the pan every day if you want, but you are still never going to get all the gunk out of the converter.
Its your truck, do what you want. Good luck.
You cant drop the pan every day if you want, but you are still never going to get all the gunk out of the converter.
Its your truck, do what you want. Good luck.
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From: Long Island
Originally Posted by Nathane
....How my family's done it for years, and we havent lost one tranny (except my cousins/uncles 73 stang... but thats a big can of worms to open)
~Nate
~Nate
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Mine has a drain plug on the torque convertor. I used that the first time, but every year or so since, I just drop the pan and change filter, clean magnet etc and add the 5 quarts. I don't believe in the tranny power flush or whatever they call them. I have always seen bad results. Of course a lot of that is people not servicing it when it needs to bee and waiting forever before they do it. Besides that I am not paying 100 or more dollars to have my trans serviced. My truck has 225000 miles with original drivetrain. What I mean by that is original engine, transmission, rear end etc. I has had many other repairs and so on though.
Last edited by TexasGuy001; Jun 7, 2006 at 11:11 PM.
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we use a trans tech machine all the time and it works great never had a problem. in fact most if they where having trouble with there trans even after just changing there filter and its still acting up. then they bring it to us to have the trans flush and its usualy much better. I have done it at my dads shop the old way for years drop the pan change the filter and fluid. The main thing i like about the new way is it pushes out old fluid and puts new in till you get nothing but clean fluid out so it really flushes allthe dirt out. Was skeptical of it myself at first but it seems to work. No idea if its the same machin the dealer is using though, its made by SUN and says trans tech on the front of it.
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From: Cary
I've always been leary of high mileage transmission fluid changes as well. Partly b/c 20 years later, my dad still blames me for the ruined tranny in his car (that had recently had the tranny fluid changed) even though he swears it was driving perfectly before I boworred it. 
I bought my truck with 106K miles on it, and now it's got 120K. I'm not sure if it had been changed before, but it was very black and smelled burnt. So, I took the plunge a few months and about 3500 miles ago and had my dealer do a full flush and fluid change.
Man is my truck happier.... I keep pretty close tabs on my mileage, and since the change my truck is averaging 30-40 more miles per tank. Plus, it's shifting crisper and just plan feels better to drive now.
I bought my truck with 106K miles on it, and now it's got 120K. I'm not sure if it had been changed before, but it was very black and smelled burnt. So, I took the plunge a few months and about 3500 miles ago and had my dealer do a full flush and fluid change.
Man is my truck happier.... I keep pretty close tabs on my mileage, and since the change my truck is averaging 30-40 more miles per tank. Plus, it's shifting crisper and just plan feels better to drive now.
Last edited by Big Ol Truck; Jun 8, 2006 at 09:24 AM.