Trans flushing intervals

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Dec 2, 2007 | 09:11 PM

ExpySport

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 637

Likes: 4

From: Media, PA

Trans flushing intervals

I should probably post this in the Transmission section, as well. I have a 2002 Expedition, 5.4L, 4x4, trailer towing package. I have had my transmission flushed each year for the past 3 years when the truck goes in for its annual state inspection & emissions tests. Roughly, it's done every 20,000 miles. I tow a 23 foot fishing boat and do a lot of mixed city/highway driving. I know the owner's manual doesn't call for this service as frequently as I've been doing it. The Expy now has 82,000 miles and will be going in for its annual inspection test this month.

Am I throwing money away for the trans flushing every year or do you think it is a worthwhile investment? The facility I take it to only charges me $69 for the service. I plan on keeping this Expy until it dies, so don't want to skimp on maintenance. The trans fluid is still a red/pink color and I haven't had to add any in the year since it was flushed last December. Any replies and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Dec 2, 2007 | 09:34 PM

MisterCMK

Fleet Owner

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 24,724

Likes: 74

From: Blue Hill Township

I think it is a worthwhile investment. Transmission repairs are NOT cheap. Make sure that the filter gets changed every once in a while too.

Dec 3, 2007 | 09:38 AM

jas88

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 7,952

Likes: 589

From: Greater Austin, Texas

I do mine every 25K miles and currently have 153K on it with no problems. I don't flush, I drain the converter and the pan and it takes 14 qts to refill, so it is almost all of the ATF being changed. I have changed the filter once.

Dec 3, 2007 | 10:13 AM

MisterCMK

Fleet Owner

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 24,724

Likes: 74

From: Blue Hill Township

Quote:

Originally Posted by jas88

I would change your filter every time you drain the transmission. Its not that much more work to drop the pan and pull the filter. Just my 2 cents.

Dec 4, 2007 | 07:41 PM

98expeditionXLT

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 383

Likes: 0

From: MA

Im curious why some of you are only changing the fluid and not replaceing the filter at the same time. Do you service the transfer case at the same time also? I have my transfer case, tranny, torque converter drained , filter, gasket replaced and the fluid refilled every 30000 miles.

Dec 4, 2007 | 07:57 PM

Gevans17

Posting Guru

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 1,083

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every 30,000 new filter and fluid, but I dont tow much either

Dec 5, 2007 | 12:09 PM

Modified 99

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 285

Likes: 0

From: Ft. Worth, TX

I put an IN-LINE filter in the return line from the cooler. It was on about a year when I changed it. I cut the old filter apart to see what it caught. It had a lot of the black powdery stuff on it that you find on the filter in the tranny pan. The transmission is an 4R100.

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Dec 6, 2007 | 04:12 AM

ford390gashog

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 26,007

Likes: 575

From: Brentwood,CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterCMK

I would change your filter every time you drain the transmission. Its not that much more work to drop the pan and pull the filter. Just my 2 cents.

The filter is not a filter its just a 90 micron screen. The filter is only meant to stop very large particles from entering the valve body. It is really useless.As far as Ford is concerned you only replace it during an overhaul.The ford shop manual tells you to just drop the pan , clean the magent and lube the reusable pan gasket and reassemble.The Ford inline 15 micron filer kit is a worthwhile investment but napa sells the same kit with the napa brand logo for about 30.00 less.