Transmission fluid
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Depending on your transmission there is a drain plug on the tranny pan as well as the torque converter. The 4R100 makes this easy as it has both drain plugs.
When I change fluid in an auto tranny I usually drain the TC (if possible) and then drain the transmission pan. I then replace the filter and fill 'er back up. With the 4R100 I can get almost all but 1 quart out by doing this. In my explorer there is usually 5 or 6 quarts left in the transmission since it does not have a TC drain plug. As long as you do your filter/fluid changes regularly this leftover fluid is not a big deal at all.
When I change fluid in an auto tranny I usually drain the TC (if possible) and then drain the transmission pan. I then replace the filter and fill 'er back up. With the 4R100 I can get almost all but 1 quart out by doing this. In my explorer there is usually 5 or 6 quarts left in the transmission since it does not have a TC drain plug. As long as you do your filter/fluid changes regularly this leftover fluid is not a big deal at all.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
What about all these shops that pump new fluid into the transmission and don't remove the pan or filter. They hook up two hoses one to fill and one to drain without opening anything up. Anyone have experiece with this type of fluid change?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I wouldn't do it. I always remove the pan and replace the filter. By flushing it all you are doing is exchanging fluid and not actually replacing the filter.
One option would be to put an external filter inline with the trans cooler lines and hollow out the internal filter. That way you can have it flushed/exchanged and still replace your filter. I like to get in there and clean out the magnet and inspect the transmission.
One option would be to put an external filter inline with the trans cooler lines and hollow out the internal filter. That way you can have it flushed/exchanged and still replace your filter. I like to get in there and clean out the magnet and inspect the transmission.
