Transmission flush advice sought
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 154
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From: Southwestern Ohio
Transmission flush advice sought
I just purchased an '02 F250 w/the 7.3 and 200k on the clock. I have virtually no knowledge of maintenance history and am wondering if I should go ahead and get a trans flush done. Please advise. Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,220
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From: VA
I would change all the fluids if you dont know what was previously done. I would start with the engine oil(truly important on the 7.3) and filter, then fuel filter (5 minutes), and then tranny fluid and filter. Transfer case(if equipped) and power steering are pretty simple as well. ATF goes in the transfer case, power steering, and of course the tranny (if auto). So plan on spending at LEAST 150 bucks if not more depending on if you get synthetic ATF. For an investment like a new truck, 150 bucks will be putting it on its a good, long term investment. Just what I would do in your shoes. Ive done all of those things myself and am not a mechanic by any means. You should probably have your rear diff fluid drained and refilled as well. Front one too if you have 4x4.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,725
Likes: 2,651
From: SE Florida
I'd have the flush done, or use https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html to do it myself.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 164
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From: Idaho
If you have the flush done don't take it to Ford. Take it to a trans shop. The proper way to do the flush is to first drop the pan clean it and replace the filter. Then do the flush and remove the pan again and replace the filter again. Otherwise when they do the flush all the crap from the bottom of the pan gets sucked back through the trans and will cause major problems.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 164
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From: Idaho
Then you tell me why my transmission, after a Ford dealership "flush" (which is no different than a Jiffy Lube flush) just more expensive, went out. I lost all gears. It happened 1 week and around 75 miles after the "flush". I talked to 6 different transmission shops in the area and all of them said in their professional opinion that a "flush" was the wrong way to service a transmission. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just relaying what 6 different Transmission shops told me. If you feel differently don't just say so, tell me what your opinion is.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
In a E40d mated to 7.3 l , he should be able to drain the tranny pan, change the internal filter, and drain and refill the torque converter. The power flush is necesary to do the torque converter on the 5R100 becuase it can't be drained, and it has an internal filter (more like a cage) and an external filter near the tranny cooler. There is some talk that drain and heated flush of a transmission is overkill, that you should just drain and change pan and external filter, by doing often same net effect, but only half is changed each time. New fluid can loosen stuff in a tranny that hasnt been changed regularly and this stuff then starts plugging passages and orifices and causing problems in some cases. IDK, tranny shops have to have the correct heated flushing machine and in the 5R100 they MUST use Mercon SP. I beleive the E4OD you can use Mercon 4.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 537
Likes: 3
From: Carvel, AB, Canada
Neither the local 6L shop or the dealership will flush your transmission. Be it a 4R100 or Torqshift. If your transmission needs more than a change of filter and fluid, it is coming out of the truck.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,725
Likes: 2,651
From: SE Florida
If there is enough junk in the pan to damage the trans, the trans is already junk. It needs to come out regardless of whether or not it's flushed.
Your trans failed for one of two reasons. Either it was already 75 miles from dies when you had it flushed, or the flush wasn't done correctly and damaged the trans.
New User
Joined: Feb 2009
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TO--Mark Kovalsky-----You have me confused!!!
This thread was specific to an '02, F250, 7.3L transmission flush. I have an '02, 7.3L, but it is an F450 and have a 4R100 transmission.
In your current link to your article "Changing ATF Fluid in a E40D and 4R100 Transmission" under the heading of "Things you need to start" it says.... "(for the 4R100, use MERCON V)".
HOWEVER:
I downloaded and printed your article on 12/3/2005. Back then it said ..."buy 20 quarts of MERCON ATF (do NOT buy MERCON V!)."
My Owner's Manual says to use "MERCON ATF" and the transmission dip stick says to use MERCON.
Can you please clear up this confusion.
I have followed your instructions and they are concise, clear and direct.
MERCON ATF or MERCON V?????????
Thanks
This thread was specific to an '02, F250, 7.3L transmission flush. I have an '02, 7.3L, but it is an F450 and have a 4R100 transmission.
In your current link to your article "Changing ATF Fluid in a E40D and 4R100 Transmission" under the heading of "Things you need to start" it says.... "(for the 4R100, use MERCON V)".
HOWEVER:
I downloaded and printed your article on 12/3/2005. Back then it said ..."buy 20 quarts of MERCON ATF (do NOT buy MERCON V!)."
My Owner's Manual says to use "MERCON ATF" and the transmission dip stick says to use MERCON.
Can you please clear up this confusion.
I have followed your instructions and they are concise, clear and direct.
MERCON ATF or MERCON V?????????
Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
I think you will find since the article was wrote is 2005 that it has changed. I believe the article needs to be updated to Mercon 5. There is a new blend of Mercon 5 and Mercon ATF is no longer available from Fords at all.
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