Tranny Fluid Change
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
FT48
anytime you want a motorcraft part number just go here MOTORCRAFT® FULL LINE CATALOG OF PARTS FOR FORD, LINCOLN OR MERCURY VEHICLES
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
It's definitely a messy job.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Excellent idea. I was just thinking that a few posts up.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
I am not sure if the overdrive tranny has the drain plug in the torque converter or not.
I don't believe in the theory that changing the fluid is going to ruin the tranny. The factory highly recommends changing the fluid, and the new fluid will have better lubricating properties, and the goodies in the oil will be fresh, such as the detergents that can help loosen up sticky valve spools and such.
I don't believe in the theory that changing the fluid is going to ruin the tranny. The factory highly recommends changing the fluid, and the new fluid will have better lubricating properties, and the goodies in the oil will be fresh, such as the detergents that can help loosen up sticky valve spools and such.
I agree with Dave. Most fluids in trucks have a limited life span, so need to be replaced at specific intervals. Breakdown, loss of viscosity, water absorption, decomposing / polymerization, acid generation, etc. all occur with most fluids. Best thing is to change them out when the factory specs call for a change. If your vehicle has been driven hard and under adverse conditions, then changing the fluids even earlier can be the right thing to do.
I don't have an auto tranny in my '84 F250 4x4 but I have changed out the tranny fluid that was in my NP435 4-spd. Man, what crap that was! It would not surprise me if that was the original factory fluid. It was VERY dark and smelled like a cross between burning rubber and rotten eggs. Yeah, at 142,000 miles it was WAY over-due for a change. Next up is the xfer case and differentials but they can wait for better weather.
Ed
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown, WV
Does anyone have a picture of what the plug should look like in the converter? I have turned it 3 times now and don't see a plug in the converter. I see three separate holes on the front of the flywheel and they all have bolts sticking out of them with nutz on them, but I don't see a plug on any of them or adjacent to them. I am under the truck right now, so if anyone has a picture I would appreciate it. thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown, WV
Please help Quick.
Ok. I found the plug. Go figure it was an 11mm socket. Fun stuff.
Ok, now my question is this. What the heck is this little part? It has a black o-ring around it, and the part is the size of a large green grape. I found it laying in the trany pan when I pulled it down. But more importantly, where does it go?
Ok, now my question is this. What the heck is this little part? It has a black o-ring around it, and the part is the size of a large green grape. I found it laying in the trany pan when I pulled it down. But more importantly, where does it go?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown, WV
I just did some more research and found that this is the original trany dip stick plug from the factory and they fall into the pans when they assemble and fill up the trany in the trucks. No worries now, except filling it up and torquing down the trany pan bolts correctly.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown, WV
Well so far, so good. I have almost put in 12 quarts of ATF, but it still isn't reading on the side of the stick with the writing on it, only the backside. If I flip the stick around, then it only reads at the very bottom of the stick on the writing side. I have been out driving it around for the last 10 minutes trying to warm everything up. I am going to let it settle down for a while and go back out tonight to fill up the truck with fuel and check the trany fluid again.
One important point is you need a funnel about 5 feet long so that you can poor in the ATF without spilling it all over the engine bay, don't ask me how I know.
One important point is you need a funnel about 5 feet long so that you can poor in the ATF without spilling it all over the engine bay, don't ask me how I know.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown, WV
This was and is the hardest project I have done on this truck. it took me approximately 6 hours to get this far. The hardest part was taking off that damn inspection flywheel shield, b/c that top left bolt hiding behind the starter was an absolute M/F to get out.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Franklin2
I don't believe in the theory that changing the fluid is going to ruin the tranny. The factory highly recommends changing the fluid, and the new fluid will have better lubricating properties, and the goodies in the oil will be fresh, such as the detergents that can help loosen up sticky valve spools and such.
The only thing I can think of that would happen.
If the fluid has never been changed in it's life, it is possible that the new fluid with the better detergents will dislodge and plug up the new filter with a bunch of crap and varnish that was left over from the neglect. Just replace the filter and fluid again etc, fixed etc...
Same thing can happen with a engine oil flush on a neglected engine. It can plug up the oil pump screen requiring you to drop the pan and clean the screen.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
Ok. I found the plug. Go figure it was an 11mm socket. Fun stuff.
Ok, now my question is this. What the heck is this little part? It has a black o-ring around it, and the part is the size of a large green grape. I found it laying in the trany pan when I pulled it down. But more importantly, where does it go?
Ok, now my question is this. What the heck is this little part? It has a black o-ring around it, and the part is the size of a large green grape. I found it laying in the trany pan when I pulled it down. But more importantly, where does it go?
This picture tells you, you are the first inside to change the filter and the fluid since it was built.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown, WV
So how do you install the dip stick correctly to check the trany fluid correctly?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
As long as the dipstick seats all the way down, it should be ok. Just put a little bit more oil in it.