Hey guys, I was going to change my Transmission Fluid on my 2000 Expedition 5.4L, with 83000 miles a few pepole told me not to change it because it can damage the trans? But I though that trans fluid will breakdown over time? They told me that just as long the trans fluid looks red and doesnt smell like its burnt im fine. What to you guys think?
I would like to use Mobil-1 synthetic fluid.
Thanks ~Gage~

 

I have 102K on mine and I change it once a year need it or not and haven't had any problems. I don't know anything about the synthetic however, I use Mercon myself.

 

i don't think i've ever heard of trans damage from simply changing the fluid (unless you start whacking the trans once the pan is off).

however some people do think that getting a trans flush on a higher mileage vehicle may damage it.

go ahead and change the fluid (i've got royal purple in mine) just do it carefully and remember not to overfill.

 

How do you like that Royal Purple ? Do you use it in your engine also ? I've been considering changing to it. They use it down at work in the pumps and compressors and are real happy with it. I was just wondering your opinion of it.

 

Has the trans fluid ever been changed in the 83k miles? I have heard that varnishes form on surfaces in the trans if the fluid isn't changed at least every 50k, then when you put in fresh fluid with it's fresh solvents (seal swelling agent, etc.), the varnishes can be freed up and cause filter and small passage clogging and leaks. I got this from a major trans service chain that refused to do a trans service if it'd been longer than 50k from the last one -- they said they'd had to replace too many transmissions...

Now my personal experience has been to frequently change any of my auto trans fluids. The one car I bought used that got it's first trans service at 60k (and the fluid was dark!), was just fine when I changed the fluid/filter and then started doing it regularly -- I sold that car at 138k with no fluid related trans problems. FWIW....

I personally don't think our Expys need synth trans fluid, even if you tow alot or live in hilly country (like we do both of). I just change the fluid every 15K or so and do a filter change every 3rd change or so.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do...

 

I just bought my Expedition in Dec 2007 and dont know when it was changed last. Do you think I should do it or should I let my dealer do it?
Thanks ~Gage~

 

i changed out the trans oil soon after purchasing the truck, so i can't say i was able to notice any difference. i just like the idea of having a quality oil in the trans. the truck had 50k on it and i had no records as to when/if it had had trans fluid changes.

i have used royal purp in the engine as well, but now just cheaper. i can't say i was able to notice a difference there either.

 

might as well do it yourself, it's a pretty easy job (though it may be a bit messy).

 

I've done trans fluid/filter changes myself -- like amm888 said: it IS messy (if you do the filter) -- consider buying one of those huge funnels at the auto parts store to minimize the mess. You can also just drain and fill the sump really easy as it has a drain plug -- takes about 6 qts to do a drain and fill, but if it's never been done before, I'd for-sure drop the pan and change the filter. Check your owners manual just to see if maybe someone wrote in some services or left receipts in there.

I've had good luck taking the auto equipped cars and trucks of mine into a Cottman trans shop, tho I do watch them like a hawk and go out and talk to the tech when he opens it up to see for yourself whats in the bottom of the pan, fluid condition, how clogged the filter is, etc. Also request that they drain the torque converter (if it has a drain, some do), as a lot of fluid stays in there.

If I were you and I took the fluid sample on a clean white paper towel and it looked pink and smelled fine, I'd change it and filter out and not worry about it...

on edit: if it's a 4x4, have the transfer case fluid changed too...

Good luck!

 

oh yeah, i forgot about the torque converter. the oil in the converter is quite easy to change IF you have the right trans (as i do). my torque converter has a pretty easily accessible drain plug (i don't recall which transmissions have this easy drain option, but a search should find it).

if you do drain the torque converter you'll end up needing something like 15+ quarts of oil.

 

I though that you have to drop the trans in order to get to the torque converter?
Because I would like to dran that too.
diesel_dan I will change the transfer case too I think it take 2 qts.
Thanks ~Gage~

 

IIRC there's a seperate bell-housing looking thing with a hole which gives access to the plug to the torque converter. however you may have to start and stop the engine a few times to get the plug lined up with the hole. and i'm pretty sure this can all be done w/out dropping the pan (though you should still drop the pan to change the filter and clean the magnet).

but we may have different transmissions.

 

I haven't done this on an Expy, so you'll have to look for yourself, but there should be an "inspection cover" on the underside (and off to the side) of the bell housing where the torque converter is. You need to spin the torque converter (might have to bump the motor or hand turn it) until the drain plug is accessable.

A whole other option is to go to one of those places that has the machine to do a fluid exchange (but that still leaves the old filter in the pan). In the TorqShift there's a shadetree mechanic's procedure to do a fluid exchange, but I've never tried it either...

on edit: What he said ^

 

amm888, What trans to you have on your Expedition?
I have the 5.4L enging and I think I have the 4R100.
Thanks ~Gage~

 

IIRC i've got the 4r100 as well, but i'm not sure and it's too wet outside to go check.

before doing the change i did several searches here (torque converter / transmission fluid change) and found some posts listing the diff transmissions and the one that has an easily drainable torque converter. whatever one that was is what i've got.