ATF question
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Southeast Idaho
ATF question
OK folks, I got a question to run past you all. I just got my truck a month or so ago and have been going through the gear boxes and such doing fluid and filter changes, tune up stuff etc.
I'm going to service the tranny next. The fluid is good and clean but I don't know when the last service was. I was at Wally world this morning and they had Penzoil by the gallon for less than $10.00.
Any thoughts and opinions on fluid and filter? Please give some reasons not just "penzoil is crap" or "valvoline is great".....You get the idea.
Also it's an E40D behind a 351. Is there a plug in the torque converer? I haven't looked under the rubber plug in the bellhousing yet.
I'm going to service the tranny next. The fluid is good and clean but I don't know when the last service was. I was at Wally world this morning and they had Penzoil by the gallon for less than $10.00.
Any thoughts and opinions on fluid and filter? Please give some reasons not just "penzoil is crap" or "valvoline is great".....You get the idea.
Also it's an E40D behind a 351. Is there a plug in the torque converer? I haven't looked under the rubber plug in the bellhousing yet.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
remove plug, take off coil wire on coil, bump starter until bolt lines up, get a big pan a lot off fluid will come out.
i run the trans until hot before i do this.
than i start on the pan after the convertor is dry.
add a bottle of lucas trans fluid.
i run the trans until hot before i do this.
than i start on the pan after the convertor is dry.
add a bottle of lucas trans fluid.
Last edited by quicklook2; Dec 16, 2007 at 02:10 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
There is a good link on how to change the fluid on this site- basically you remove the rear cooler line, add some clear plastic tubing to allow the line to reach your drain pan, then fire up the truck and let it pump the fluid out. Then do as stated above to drain the converter, then drop the pan. Doing it this way you don't have to mess with trying to drop a pan with several quarts of fluid in it and giving yourself a nice little ATF shower.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Yes there is a TC drain plug, its not square though 
Most guys say that you should go with a synthetic ATF (okay... ALL guys say that) but my tranny started making some strange noises after I filled it with fancy schmancy Amsoil ATF... After switching back to Valvoline dino ATF my trans is running like a champ... I'm gonna stick with dino for a while, and the Mercon/Dexron III Valvoline is working out great for me.
Use the cheap Penzoil if you want but I'll tell you right now that the E4OD is a very sensitive transmission and if you don't treat it right it's going to go to hell in a handbasket. Hell, it's gonna do that anyways, but you might as well prolong it's life with the use of proper fluid and maintenance. ATF changes can usually go 60k miles if you aren't putting too much stress on the tranny so the $2-4 difference between a good ATF and a bad one is cheap insurance in my opinion...
And get your filter from Ford.
Most guys say that you should go with a synthetic ATF (okay... ALL guys say that) but my tranny started making some strange noises after I filled it with fancy schmancy Amsoil ATF... After switching back to Valvoline dino ATF my trans is running like a champ... I'm gonna stick with dino for a while, and the Mercon/Dexron III Valvoline is working out great for me.
Use the cheap Penzoil if you want but I'll tell you right now that the E4OD is a very sensitive transmission and if you don't treat it right it's going to go to hell in a handbasket. Hell, it's gonna do that anyways, but you might as well prolong it's life with the use of proper fluid and maintenance. ATF changes can usually go 60k miles if you aren't putting too much stress on the tranny so the $2-4 difference between a good ATF and a bad one is cheap insurance in my opinion...
And get your filter from Ford.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
Originally Posted by superduty4x4
There is a good link on how to change the fluid on this site- basically you remove the rear cooler line, add some clear plastic tubing to allow the line to reach your drain pan, then fire up the truck and let it pump the fluid out. Then do as stated above to drain the converter, then drop the pan. Doing it this way you don't have to mess with trying to drop a pan with several quarts of fluid in it and giving yourself a nice little ATF shower.
i would not pump out all the fluid this way in any case.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
Yes you still have to drop the pan, but you don't have to drop the pan with 8+/- quarts of oil in it. The key is to shut the truck off at the first sign of air bubbles in the line, which is why a clear piece of hose is necessary (a second person to run the key is a huge help also).
As for the filter and Skandocious' comment, Ford actually recommends never changing the filter... that seemed odd to me. I bought a kit from Napa that had a filter and a rubber pan gasket, it worked fine for me. Also, keep in mind when you pull the filter, the rubber seal on it will probably stick in the trans, you'll need to fish it out with a screwdriver or pick.
As for the filter and Skandocious' comment, Ford actually recommends never changing the filter... that seemed odd to me. I bought a kit from Napa that had a filter and a rubber pan gasket, it worked fine for me. Also, keep in mind when you pull the filter, the rubber seal on it will probably stick in the trans, you'll need to fish it out with a screwdriver or pick.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Southeast Idaho
Originally Posted by superduty4x4
Ford actually recommends never changing the filter... that seemed odd to me.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
i advise buying the ford filter it is the best quality one out there.
on dropping pan or doing hose everyone has a favorite way and that is fine with me.
most of the fluid is in the convertor anyway.
on dropping pan or doing hose everyone has a favorite way and that is fine with me.
most of the fluid is in the convertor anyway.
