I know my Tranny fluid needs changing.. its not been done since I bought the truck 120,000 kms ago. My friendly neighbor mechanic's lift does not have the capacity to raise my truck, so I'm forced to go to someone else, so...

I went into a local "quick oil change" place here in Ottawa called "Oil Changers" and asked them all about transmission fluid changing.

The way they do it is to connect to the fluid lines that lead to the cooler next to the front rad. They use the transmission itself to pump out the old and in with the new.

On the issue of fluid type, he said they use Mercon 3 and then add additives to bring it up the Mercon 5 standards.

This all sounds a bit odd to me, so I though I'd consult with you all.

Here's my questions:

1. Will a connection via tranny cooler replace ALL the fluid?

2. Will additives added to Mercon 3 really do the job of making it into a Mercon 5?

I'd appreciate any info and suggestions you may have.

Thanks

 

You can can do it yourself and save some money and get it done right.. Use Mercon V.. available at costco or napa.. Auto Zone also sells Mobil "syn" mercon V.
And you can also go to FORD and get it...
See the following link for instructions on changing the fluid..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html

 

i would not let them change it, I have not heard good things about places like that doing the change. Especialy the part about using mercon 3 the then using additives to bring it up to mercon v specs. Follow Clints link and do it youself.

 

The suction pump works extremely well at removing old fluid and putting in new. The only problem I see w/ the fluid part is their supplier doesn't supply them w/ a Merc 5 or they just choose not to sell it. Def would not let them put the additives in for an equivalent Merc 5.

Come about 2k miles south and I'll let you borrow mine.

 

Hey thanks.. I'll be there in time for lunch... er in about three days...

Its actually 4,490 kms. I'd love to drive it, but other duties come first...

I understood that they don't use a suction pump, but rather let the tranny pump it out. Anyhow, they won't let me supply the fluid, so I won't be going to them.

In any event, I'm gonna try to find someone with a hoist that will let me do it myself. Failing that, I'll buy four jackstands and see if I can get it up in the air enough..

hmmm..On second thought, I dunno.. I think I'll let a pro do it.. I'm lazy, fat, and unsure..

But thanks for the offer!

 

No need to jack it up. I did the Kovalsky flush method with truck sitting on the ground. I have stock suspension and there is plenty of room.

 

Just finished flushing mine in the driveway, no lift needed, used the Kovalsky method that Robin referred to. Easy, even for me and I'm old and fat.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html

 

I'm old and getting fat. If I keep going I will need a 6" lift to work under the truck.

 

Noticed you have a 2wd.. so it is a bit lower.. But you can always get yourself 4 chucks of wood beams, say 4 X 6 and drive up on them...

 

You sure can't beat the honesty of the guys on this forum, can you?

Oh,..... I resemble that, too!

Pop

 

Where do you buy one of these pumps at?

 

Ya but how do you change out the filter if you are not removing the pan..?

 

Another fan of Mobil1 Syn Mercon V & the Kovalsky method. I got mine from OReilly's for $5.50/quart buying it by the case (three cases plus two more). Works like a champ, and it's been over a year so far on it. If you're not in too big of a hurry, think about mod'ing your VB while you're opening it up. In one afternoon you'll have a trans that will shift 1000x better. I HIGHLY recommend the TransGo kits...

 

What is that about? I downloaded the Transgo catalogue and can find nothing that says "VB".

Do tell!

Thanks

 

Sorry... VB = "Valve Body". I put in the TransGo Tugger, but there is another one that doesn't mod quite as much called the "HD2" The Tugger mods both the Main VB and the Accumulator VB, and if you pull your tranny, some parts in the pump and even deeper. I only did the stuff I could get to from underneath, and am VERY happy with it. For ~$100 and an afternoon, you can have a MUCH more healthy trans.