tranny flush
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia, TX
At only 30K there's no reason you can't do this yourself. Simply change the fluid and filter without a true "flush". While you're at it, add a drain plug to the tranny pan so that it will be much easier, and cleaner, the next time.
CMOS
CMOS
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: North Richland Hills, TX
Just curious, where in your owners manual does it say to have a trans flush done? Mine only talks about changing fluid and filter. Those are two different services. And depending on your type of driving you normally shouldn't need a flush with only 30k miles.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 680
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From: Michigan
It says in the schedule maintanance to change fluid every 30K. Dealerships always try to sell you this, although some call it a flush when all they do is change the fluid in the pan and not converter. Do we actually have a filter? I thought it was just a metal screen?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 144
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Please correct me if I am wrong, but the Ford Factory Service Manual states that the tranny has synthetic oil in it and does not need to be changes or "flushed" until 250,000km under normal driving conditions. Of course if you tow, this will reduce the Km. It also reports that the filter should not be changed during a normal oil change, which I find wierd, but only if there is service work done to the tranny.
I should go back and read that section of the manual again...
Doug
I should go back and read that section of the manual again...
Doug
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia, TX
"Please correct me if I am wrong, but the Ford Factory Service Manual states that the tranny has synthetic oil in it and does not need to be changes or "flushed" until 250,000km under normal driving conditions."
Unless they changed from when I had my 2004, there was a more aggressive change schedule than 250KM.
Even *IF* it said that high number - no way would I wait that long.
It's too easy to do and too expensive to replace a tranny to not do the more frequent changes.
CMOS
Unless they changed from when I had my 2004, there was a more aggressive change schedule than 250KM.
Even *IF* it said that high number - no way would I wait that long.
It's too easy to do and too expensive to replace a tranny to not do the more frequent changes.
CMOS
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New User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Well I went back to the maintenance section of the manual and it says to change the fluid basically every 30K and the only time it talks of changing a tranny filter isnt until you reach the 150K mark, any how, how hard is it to change just the fluid, not the filter? I think the dealership was trying to suck some more money out of me. I'll just do it myself it if aint too hard to just change the fluid.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia, TX
Originally Posted by gabe823
Well I went back to the maintenance section of the manual and it says to change the fluid basically every 30K and the only time it talks of changing a tranny filter isnt until you reach the 150K mark, any how, how hard is it to change just the fluid, not the filter? I think the dealership was trying to suck some more money out of me. I'll just do it myself it if aint too hard to just change the fluid.
Same labor do to just the fluid. Kinda silly to NOT change the filter as it's glaring right at you when you pull the pan - and it's cheap.
CMOS
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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A full trans flush is only about $100.00 at pep boys and I am sure compareable prices with other shops. If you drop the pan you are only get 50% of the fluids, I beleive that you would be better to get a full trans flush and change all of the fluid. I know that the general recommandations are 25 to 50 thousand miles depending on the conditions in your area and if you do a lot of towing
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
One way is to drop the pan and change the fluid and filter. Then add a drain hole and change the fluid again in 10k or so miles. This will keep you with pretty fresh fluid and you shouldn't have to worry. Of course if you tow or haul heavy loads you might jsut do a true flush.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 589
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From: Stockton Ca.
Originally Posted by Twinsdad98
It says in the schedule maintanance to change fluid every 30K. Dealerships always try to sell you this, although some call it a flush when all they do is change the fluid in the pan and not converter. Do we actually have a filter? I thought it was just a metal screen?
If you drop the pan and change the filter you might get 25% to 30% of the fluid since most is in the converter.
Everyone has their own opinion of this type of service as it is easy money for the tech and service center, but in my opinion all fluids and filters should be kept clean. Preventative maintenance cost a lot less than a new engine, tranny or HCU/ECU assembly.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia, TX
There is a procdure to "flush" the tranny fluid in the Ranger Tech section. Although it was written for the Ranger tranny (4R55E and 5R55E) it will work the same on the 4R7XE series trannys.
Same principle as mentioned above - pull a tranny coolant line, run engine, until X amount comes out, refill and go!
CMOS
Same principle as mentioned above - pull a tranny coolant line, run engine, until X amount comes out, refill and go!
CMOS
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 71
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Okay guys...I just turned 30K on my '05 FX4 5.4L. I went to the stealer to find out about the tranny..they say they don't drop the pan, but merely flush it out and leave the current filter in-place. So in essence they run the fluid backwards thru the filter. To me this seems weird..reverse flow on the filter...I wonder how much pressure and does it really clean, does it do something to the integrity of the filter? What do you guys recommend?