So my tranny is in dier need of a fluid and filter change. How should i go about this? I'm not gonna take it to a shop unless i absolutely have to. Its a C6 by the way.

 

Go get a whole case of dexron tranny fluid, plus 2 more quarts. Also buy a filter and gasket kit.

Get a big pan, stick it under the tranny, and loosen the bolts on the tranny pan. Pry it loose, and take the bolts out of one side so it will lean and the fluid will mostly run out one side. Take it off and replace the filter. Check out what's in the bottom of the tranny oil pan. Fine little metal particles are ok. Big chunks are not a good sign.

Then empty the drain pan and then move to underneath the flywheel area. Pull the little cover off the front of the flywheel area, and look for a plug sticking through the flexplate. If you don't see it, put a socket and ratchet on the bottom pulley, and turn the engine by hand till you see the plug come around to the bottom. Take the plug out, and drain the rest of the oil.

Take the tranny pan and put it on the edge of a bench, and hammer the pan down if the bolts have been tightened too much and have bent the pan. Then put the gasket on the pan with a few bolts, and re-install the pan. Use no sealer.

Put the plug back in the torque convertor, put the cover back on, and then put a funnel in the tranny dipstick tube, and put about 10 quarts of fluid in it. Start it up, and put about 2 more in, and let it sit there and warm up. Put the dipstick in and see where the level is, and if it shows on the dipstick, put as much in as needed to get the fluid on the low mark. Take it for a drive to get it hot, and then with it idling, check the level again, and get it so it's up near the full mark on "hot".

 

ok thanks. this is just how i though i would have to do it. Its coming probably next week. so ill post again if any problems.

 

If the fluid is rather knarley and you don't need to drive anywhere, let it trickle out over night once the pan is dropped and filter pulled.

 

Pulling the plug in the torque converter gets all the fluid out. That's why it takes over 12 quarts to fill it back up.

 

Can the filter just be cleaned? Read that it was just a metal screen.
Planning on change my tranny fluid in the spring when it gets warm again. Got 4 feet of snow in the front yard right now.

Can the newer fluids really go 100,000+ miles or more between changes if you drain all 12 qts when you change it?

Thanks for the good post with directions. Hope I can find/figure out the drain plug on the torque converter.

 

Relative to the pan draining: It is a MESSY job! Lay out plenty of newspaper or a plastic tablecloth if you're doing the job in your garage or driveway.

Loosen the bolts on one corner first then work from THAT corner as you continue to loosen all the bolts. Slow and easy will keep the fluid from sloshing out too fast. I THOUGHT I was going slow enough but man, that fluid comes flying out!

You could re-use the filter again but there are gaskets involved and for what it's going to cost why go cheap?

As mentioned earlier, make sure the pan edge is tapped flat and even or you will surely have a leak.

Torque 13 - 19 ft lbs and do a retorqueing about 100 miles afterward to make sure it is seated properly.

 

I agree, you are going to need a gasket, so you might as well get the filter kit. I don't know if you can buy the gasket itself or not.

I also read somewhere the reason the factory did not put a drain plug automatic trannies, is to force people to break the the pan loose and change the filter, instead of just draining the oil and replacing it.

 

My truck has, to the best of my knowledge, 112,000 miles. I got the truck in August of '07 and have put about 8,000 miles on it or so. My truck is an '86 F150 302 EFI with an auto trans w/ overdrive. A few months ago I pulled the pan cover off, changed the filter, and then topped it off with new Dexron fluid. Should I go ahead and do the full fluid exchange procedure also? There is really nothing wrong with the trans. It shifts fine, but the fluid does smell a little burnt and nasty. Maybe I should flush all the fluid just to increase the life of the tranny, BUT I was warned that since it is old and has a lot of miles, changing the fluid could result in creating problems like internal leaking and such. Should I worry about that, or just flush the fluid? I don't mean to steal the thread, I just have this question and it is on topic...

 

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.

 

Jim, regarding your 100,000 mile question -

Yes, the FLUID manufacture will warranty their product for whatever is specified in their labeling. However, let me tell you what happened to me. I also have a 2004 Tahoe with a 100,000 mile extended warranty. I followed the FLUID manufactures recommendation for changes, which at that time was every 75,000 mile. My transmission went out at 83,000, took it to the dealer and produced my records. The dealer recommends changing every 50,000 (per my extended warranty contract) which I didn't do, therefore they would not warranty the transmission. I'm still battling the FLUID manufacture over my cost of replacing the tranny. I'm not getting anywhere close to my cost of the transmission replacement. Needless to say - follow the dealer/parts manufacture as to their warranty. If they say change the fluid every 50,000 miles - do it. Also, read your warranty very carefully, you have a small window to complete the fluid changes. In my case it was supposed to be done between 49,000 and 51,000 miles. As far as oil changes - it's between 2,900 and 3,100 miles. If your traveling you better stop and get her changed if you want to keep that warranty.

Hope this helps.

Preston

 

Cool, thank you! I will go ahead and flush the fluid then. Any recommendations on fluid/brand? How do I find out if it has the torque converter drain plug in the first place?

 

Take the inspection cover off the flywheel area, and take a look while you turn the engine by hand. There will be several large holes in the flexplate, and if there is a plug, it will be in the middle of one of the holes.

 

My 1985 F250 6.9l Diesel Auto Trany, I assume this is supposed to have a C-6 Trany in it, correct?

What is the correct Motorcraft part number for the Transmission Filter kit? Also, what is the correct part number for the Motorcraft Transmission Pan Gasket kit?

 

I changed my tranny fluid recently and added a drain plug to the pan. I will always change the filter when changing the fluid. The drain makes it less messy, especially if you ever have to pull your tranny.