I have a 2002 ford explorer limited with a 4.6L engine, iwas woundering if anyone is able to tell me how to do a transmission service. I am a mechanic but I do not posses the resources to tell me how to do the service. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

heck yeah.. i am a pro at this..

- make sure u have something that will hold at least 6 qrts of fluid.
-towels
-sockets and wrench
-get fluid and filter

u have to take the bolts off the pan.. i usually losen 1 side and the fluid will start to drain so make sure you have something ready to catch it.. as its continues to drain.. remove the other bolts carefully .. again i would do like a side.. as a time.. losen all of them.. but take the entire bolts off on just 1 until you get most of the fluid out.. once u get it drained to a point.. take the pan all the way off... keep it level.. when taking it off so u don't spill whats left fluid wise. with the pan off.. throw away the gasket and clean the pan out.. check for metal shavings. the filter is still in the car.. so climb back under there and take it off and replace it.. i think its a screwdriver thats needed to take it off.. with a clean tranny pan.. put the new gasket on.. i used vasoline to keep it stuck to the pan.. put the pan on.. making sure the gasket is on to where it will create a leakproof seal.. then pour your fluid in.. make sure you get the correct fluid.. check manual.. good luck.

 

My explorer has no dipstick. it has some plug for the fluild level check. I have been told that it might be some what difficult. Does anyone have a procedure for this. The reply I had got sounds like one for a normal dipstick type.

Thanks

 

Can't help with the plug vs dipstick question, but be very carefull to not over tighten the pan bolts. If they're torqued too tight you'll distort the pan just enough for it to leak. Find out what the torque specs are and get out your torque wrench when bolting the pan back on.

Good luck.

Matt

 

OKOKOK I got this...

There is a drainplug on the plan.. inside the drainplug is another drainplug that uses a T30 torx bit.

| | <---(Drainplug)
----------| |------------ <---(Trans. Pan)
|_| |_|
----*----

* = Torx "INSIDE" part of drain plug

The drainplug goes up inside the pan like the above "illustration". You have to remove the SMALL part inside the drainplug, and push fluid up into there using a small hose and squeeze bottle, or fluid pumper (ford has a special tool for this, but it's not entirely necessary). Personally I find it much easier to fill the pan up with fluid before reinstalling it, but it can be quite messy if you accidentally spill the fluid all over while reinstalling the pan.

How to check the fluid - park the vehicle on LEVEL ground.
Start and run the engine until at normal operating temperature. Run it through all the gears, and then put it back in park.
With vehicle running, remove the INSIDE part of the drain plug, using a TORX socket.
If no fluid comes out, you will need to add fluid.
If it is over filled, fluid will drain out.. let it keep draining until it is down to a trickle.. then reinstall the INSIDE part of the drainplug and you are done.

I hope this answers some questions.

EDIT: I noticed my "graphic" does not work out too well and I apologize.. just keep in mind that drainplug itself goes up inside the pan, and forms a "wall" at the correct fluid level. The INSIDE part of the drainplug just opens up a hole in the plug assembly. By removing the inside part you allow excess fluid to run out until it reaches the "wall" of the large drain plug. If you do this with the engine off you will drain too much fluid. If you do this with the engine cold, you will end up being overfilled. The engine must be hot and running. Good luck!

 

Just one question? Is it a manual or automatic tranny? By the way good answer Mazda!

 

They haven't used manuals in explorers since... 1994 i think.

2002-2005 all use a five-speed automatic.

 

Here in Australia you could get a manual as late as 1998 that I know of for sure.
All manuals had the OHV engine.
There were no V8 manuals.

 

Yes I was referring to US vehicles. I tend to forget the internet is international.

I'd love to have a newer Australian Ford Falcon Ute! They haven't sold the Falcon over here since 1970