Tranny servace
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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Tranny servace
My truck nearly has 60,000 miles on it and now it's slipping while shiftingfrom first to second so I'm guessing it's time for a filter and flush.
So should I go to my local tranny guy? Go to the dreaded stealership? I dare not do it myself cuz everything I have done so far has been a nightmare.
So should I go to my local tranny guy? Go to the dreaded stealership? I dare not do it myself cuz everything I have done so far has been a nightmare.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,099
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From: Southern California
It's really pretty easy to do yourself but it does take 2 people to flush out the system.
1. Drop the pan, replace the filter, re-install the pan & fill with fresh fluid.
2. Disconnect the upper trans cooler line at the top of the radiator. Connect a rubber hose to it with a hose clamp and place the other in a bucket.
3. Here's where the second person comes in...have them start the engine, fluid will flow, when 3 quarts has dispensed into the bucket, shut off the engine & re-fill the trans. Repeat until you have clean fluid/about 14 quarts.
1. Drop the pan, replace the filter, re-install the pan & fill with fresh fluid.
2. Disconnect the upper trans cooler line at the top of the radiator. Connect a rubber hose to it with a hose clamp and place the other in a bucket.
3. Here's where the second person comes in...have them start the engine, fluid will flow, when 3 quarts has dispensed into the bucket, shut off the engine & re-fill the trans. Repeat until you have clean fluid/about 14 quarts.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southern California
2. You need to know your "Tranny-Guy" and "Dealer" as many use non-spec fluid, filters, etc. to cut cost/increase profit and then falsify the documentation- leading to tranny failure down the road.
3. Cost- a typical trans service with filter change in SoCal runs between $175-$225. DIY cost including filter, Mercon V fluid and a couple of feet of hose, right around $50.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
some things I do myself...read 99% of things
but I don't play with carb's or trannies
I personally would pay the Dealership. They know these vehicles better than most people. It's just a hassle...especially for those not mechanically inclined
but I don't play with carb's or trannies
I personally would pay the Dealership. They know these vehicles better than most people. It's just a hassle...especially for those not mechanically inclined
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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I have 5 automatic transmissions in the driveway. Yes, all of them are in operating vehicles and used on a daily basis. I am going to purchase a transmission fluid oil exchanger in the spring and do all five myself. At the prices Beechkid quotes then it pays for itself on the second series of tranny flushes. I keep my own life long records in a spreadsheet showing me total cost of ownership against all maintenance and purchases for each vehicle.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southern California
Valvoline for 40 years in both manual & auto trans- never a failure yet & I keep most of my vehicles for 10-15 years.
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From: Maine, Virginia
Today, I took the time to call (3) three different local Ford dealers and I asked them some really dumb questions in an effort to squelch or verify some of what has been said on this thread. BTW, every dealer said pretty much the same thing.
1. Me. Do you perform a transmission flush or drop the pan?
Dealers. Flush.
2. Me. Why?
Dealers. Flushing removes 100% of the old fluid from the transmission and the torque converter.
3. Me. Do you remove the old folter / screen from the transmission?
Dealers. No, that's considered to be an outdated practice as the flushing machine cleans everything.
4. Me. is Ford OK with not replacing the filter / screen?
Dealers. Flushing and not changingthe screen meets all of Fords service and warranty requirements.
5. Me. What is the price to flush an '04 Expy?
Dealers. $147 plus tax.
6. Me. Does the machine or the dealer use recycled fluid when refilling the transmission?
Dealers. NO! All fluid exchanges are new motorcraft Mercon V fluid.
Hope this helps.
Tim
1. Me. Do you perform a transmission flush or drop the pan?
Dealers. Flush.
2. Me. Why?
Dealers. Flushing removes 100% of the old fluid from the transmission and the torque converter.
3. Me. Do you remove the old folter / screen from the transmission?
Dealers. No, that's considered to be an outdated practice as the flushing machine cleans everything.
4. Me. is Ford OK with not replacing the filter / screen?
Dealers. Flushing and not changingthe screen meets all of Fords service and warranty requirements.
5. Me. What is the price to flush an '04 Expy?
Dealers. $147 plus tax.
6. Me. Does the machine or the dealer use recycled fluid when refilling the transmission?
Dealers. NO! All fluid exchanges are new motorcraft Mercon V fluid.
Hope this helps.
Tim
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 379
From: Southern California
Today, I took the time to call (3) three different local Ford dealers and I asked them some really dumb questions in an effort to squelch or verify some of what has been said on this thread. BTW, every dealer said pretty much the same thing.
1. Me. Do you perform a transmission flush or drop the pan?
Dealers. Flush.
2. Me. Why?
Dealers. Flushing removes 100% of the old fluid from the transmission and the torque converter.
3. Me. Do you remove the old folter / screen from the transmission?
Dealers. No, that's considered to be an outdated practice as the flushing machine cleans everything.
4. Me. is Ford OK with not replacing the filter / screen?
Dealers. Flushing and not changingthe screen meets all of Fords service and warranty requirements.
5. Me. What is the price to flush an '04 Expy?
Dealers. $147 plus tax.
6. Me. Does the machine or the dealer use recycled fluid when refilling the transmission?
Dealers. NO! All fluid exchanges are new motorcraft Mercon V fluid.
Hope this helps.
Tim
1. Me. Do you perform a transmission flush or drop the pan?
Dealers. Flush.
2. Me. Why?
Dealers. Flushing removes 100% of the old fluid from the transmission and the torque converter.
3. Me. Do you remove the old folter / screen from the transmission?
Dealers. No, that's considered to be an outdated practice as the flushing machine cleans everything.
4. Me. is Ford OK with not replacing the filter / screen?
Dealers. Flushing and not changingthe screen meets all of Fords service and warranty requirements.
5. Me. What is the price to flush an '04 Expy?
Dealers. $147 plus tax.
6. Me. Does the machine or the dealer use recycled fluid when refilling the transmission?
Dealers. NO! All fluid exchanges are new motorcraft Mercon V fluid.
Hope this helps.
Tim
Now, with the first fluid change, although all metal particulates are suppose to be removed prior to operation and if everything is working just exactly as expected from an engineering standpoint, the filter should collect all particulates floating/generated during tranny breakin and normal wear/tear.
Now the question- given the price of a filter ($15), doesn't this make commen sense to start with a new filter upon the initial tranny service? Of course, you will not find any Ford master tech (tranny) who will argue with that.
Now the dealers in SoCal, even for a basic fluid flush, start at $150 (typically closer to $200 unless they give you a deal- even Jiffy Lube is $150 plus additional fees if you need Type V)and go up from there. I think it's great the prices are lower where you are, but the filter replacement on the first oil change is very cheap insurance and you can really see if there is potentially a problem starting inside the tranny by the amount and type of particulates in the filter & pan- the flush won't tell you that!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 298
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From: Vicksburg, MS
I would disagree with the flush cleans everything. The pan a 60k will have a lot of settlement material than needs to be cleaned out and off of the magnet. I did mine at 42k and had plenty of metal settlement and the filter I replaced for good measure. The gasket is reusable on the stock pan. I used Valvoline Mercon V fluid because it is a full synthetic fluid as is the Motorcraft. If you get a good price from the dealer you can buy the fluid and filter for around 65 to 70 bucks. If you are getting slipage I would insist on changing the filter and a full flush of the system. Tnannys aren't cheap.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Vicksburg, MS
P.S.; My second fluid service I replaced my pan with a B&M deep aluminum pan. Now I can change the fluid with less mess. I di this around 60k to get back to the severe service schedule intervals. I use mine for work and tow a good bit also.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,006
Likes: 1,517
From: Maine, Virginia
I don't know what else to say. This clearly boils down to personal preference and what you are comfortable with. I solicicted three high volume Ford dealers and they all said basically the same thing. If in doubt, read my last post.
My Expy was flushed at 35K and I now have 70K on her and she's getting ready for the next flush. I know, I'm five thousand over on each flush.
My '99 Taurus has 110K and has been flushed twice. Between flushes I decided to get all rambo and do the change myself. Never again. I didn't consider the pan to have an alarming amount of sediment or anything in it. Plus, it was a mess and a PITA. $147 is a bargain IMHO. Hell, I'd pay $200.
Tim
My Expy was flushed at 35K and I now have 70K on her and she's getting ready for the next flush. I know, I'm five thousand over on each flush.
My '99 Taurus has 110K and has been flushed twice. Between flushes I decided to get all rambo and do the change myself. Never again. I didn't consider the pan to have an alarming amount of sediment or anything in it. Plus, it was a mess and a PITA. $147 is a bargain IMHO. Hell, I'd pay $200.
Tim
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 379
From: Southern California
I don't know what else to say. This clearly boils down to personal preference and what you are comfortable with. I solicicted three high volume Ford dealers and they all said basically the same thing. If in doubt, read my last post.
My Expy was flushed at 35K and I now have 70K on her and she's getting ready for the next flush. I know, I'm five thousand over on each flush.
My '99 Taurus has 110K and has been flushed twice. Between flushes I decided to get all rambo and do the change myself. Never again. I didn't consider the pan to have an alarming amount of sediment or anything in it. Plus, it was a mess and a PITA. $147 is a bargain IMHO. Hell, I'd pay $200.
Tim
My Expy was flushed at 35K and I now have 70K on her and she's getting ready for the next flush. I know, I'm five thousand over on each flush.
My '99 Taurus has 110K and has been flushed twice. Between flushes I decided to get all rambo and do the change myself. Never again. I didn't consider the pan to have an alarming amount of sediment or anything in it. Plus, it was a mess and a PITA. $147 is a bargain IMHO. Hell, I'd pay $200.
Tim
BTW I'm part of the over 40 crowd.