transmission flush

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Feb 13, 2007 | 10:36 AM

#16

LxMan1

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Joined: Dec 2001

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From: Louisville,Ky.

If the flush is done while the tranny is in good shape like it should be, then the fluid will always be good unless something actually breaks in the tranny. I wouldn't do the first flush at 200,000 miles. But if done at Ford recommended intervals, it works great.
I just pulled the pan on my 96 Windstar for the first time after having 2-3 shift problems at 153,7xx miles. It has never been off and had very little debris on the magnet and the filter looked good. A powerflush wouldn't have hurt it one bit.

Feb 13, 2007 | 10:42 AM

#17

rsylvstr

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 3,489

Likes: 45

From: Central NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by LxMan1

i agree....that's what i've been doing with mine....but waiting and then doing a flush, that's bad news, like you said.

Feb 13, 2007 | 11:29 AM

#18

preppypyro

FTE Legend

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 37,887

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From: North Central Rural Sask.

I drained the tc out, and it worked fine. Was nice and easy to do too.

Feb 13, 2007 | 11:44 AM

#19

ranger88a

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 811

Likes: 0

Never had any problems with flushing a trans as long as the customer has followed the service schedule! If you feel flushing created the problem, I'd say there was one anyhow.

Feb 13, 2007 | 12:59 PM

#20

eveready77

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 295

Likes: 2

From: Ringgold GA.

Socalrat, I'm surprised your sons Dodge lasted that long. I had a buddy in college who had a '96 Ram. He put 3 trannsmissions in the truck over the span of two and a half years. Dodge automatics dont have the best reputation in the world for longevity....Not that ours are stellar. See my above post for my opinion on leaveing the fluid alone. That probably was true back in the days of the FMX, C4, and C6, but I believe that with these new trannys fresh fluid is vital to longevity. I also believe in maintnence schedules, like ranger88a said if you follow them.

Last edited by eveready77; Feb 13, 2007 at 01:01 PM. Reason: not enough sleep

Feb 17, 2007 | 11:32 AM

#21

skilife17

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Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 788

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From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota

I have a question on doing a fluid change on my 97 F150 4r70w tranny. I know there is a TSB that i should have Mercon V put in. What would be the best thing to do. I replaced the original filter at about 170k and currently have about 197,3xx on my truck. I was wondering if I should just drop the pan and drain the converter and refill with Mercon V, or if i should have it flushed out. I don't have the money to replace the tranny if it decided to take a dive. Right now it shifts perfect and there are no problems.

Feb 17, 2007 | 01:25 PM

#22

xtrford

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Joined: Jul 2005

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Mine has been flushed by the dealer every 60000 kms which is now twice, no problems yet.

Feb 17, 2007 | 01:28 PM

#23

skilife17

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Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 788

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From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtrford

Mine has been flushed by the dealer every 60000 kms which is now twice, no problems yet.

That's what i'm kind of leary of is if the original owner every had it flushed. Would the new fluid somehow be contaminatd by what's left in the lines and the cooler? Or is it so minute that it won't affect the tranny.

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Feb 17, 2007 | 02:26 PM

#24

LxMan1

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Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 22,436

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From: Louisville,Ky.

A little, but if you drain the pan and torque converter, you will get over 90% of the fluid changed. I prefer the power flush, no mess and the lines and cooler are also cleaned.

Feb 17, 2007 | 02:31 PM

#25

skilife17

Elder User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 788

Likes: 0

From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Quote:

Originally Posted by LxMan1

A little, but if you drain the pan and torque converter, you will get over 90% of the fluid changed. I prefer the power flush, no mess and the lines and cooler are also cleaned.

If I do the power flush what is the chance of my tranny taking a dive? Would it be better to go to the dealer and spend the money since they have the heated unit? The last time I checked the fluid it had pinkish tint to it. Would flushing hurt my tranny if it has never been done? Sorry for all the questions. I am just a little **** about getting it done since my truck was originally filled with Mercon and ford now says that I need to use Mercon V.

Edit
One final question since it is close to 30,000 on the filter should that be changed also while it is in for the flush.

Last edited by skilife17; Feb 17, 2007 at 02:35 PM.

Feb 17, 2007 | 07:46 PM

#26

eveready77

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 295

Likes: 2

From: Ringgold GA.

Your filter should be fine. The flush, if I understand correctly is run backwards to pull anything in the filter out with the old fluid. I'm no mechanic but I can tell you the odds of it takeing a dive if you dont ever change it are a shure bet.

Feb 17, 2007 | 11:52 PM

#27

skilife17

Elder User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 788

Likes: 0

From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Quote:

Originally Posted by eveready77

Thanks eveready77, one of the guys I work with says not to have it flushed since it will kill the tranny. He says just drop the pan and change the filter and the 5qts that are lost. I tried to tell him that I need to have all the fluid removed and replaced with Mercon V.

My dad even told me the tranny might go south, my dad got rid of his 98 dodge ram about 6 months ago after he had the tranny flushed and it held together until just recently the couple that bought had the tranny die about 6months after purchasing it. I do know that when I drove it that it shifted great and there were no problems I know dodge wasn't known for the strongest tranny but the truck had 16x,xxx when we got rid of it.

Currently I have no problems with it and it shifts perfectly. I've read on the forums here that if a tranny already has problems flushing it only made it worse.

Sorry for the long reply.

Mar 10, 2007 | 10:36 PM

#28

fordjunkyNC

Junior User

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 72

Likes: 1

From: Original 1776 Washington

A little off subject but maybe resourceful. Im at 155,000 on my 2000 f150 5.4 in which Ive dropped the pan twice to change the fluid & filter but have only drained the converter once due to I didnt know about the plug the first time. Something I practice is when I pull my car trailer I never release the OD switch intill I get to the speed I plan on running. In the summer I also turn my electric fan on high when Im in a town pulling my trailer.