I like to change the tranny fluid. 60k on the odometer. My tranny is a TorqShift 5R110W.

I am capable of removing the drain bolt and draining the 8 qt then refilling the 8 qt. As for the filter. I am capable of dropping the pan, removing the filter, installing the new filter, installing a new gasket, and mounting the pan.




What is a tranny flush (dealer charge - $189)?
Does this means that all 17.5 qt of fluid is drained. Then a solvent is put in the tranny to clean the inside. Drained. Then 17.5 qt of fluid is filled?
Please clarify and educate.

Wondering if I should just do it myself (no flush just drain and fill) or take it to the dealer.

 

I don't know if you can flush a 5R110 at home like you can a 4R100. It probably takes a fairly significant amount of tranny fluid though, so $189 at the dealer doesn't sound so bad to me.

But for the love of god, don't put solvent in your transmission...

 

No, allot of the fluid is trapped in the torque converter and doesn't come out just by draining the pan. The dealer usually hooks up a special machine that circulates fluid just like in a radiator flush. If you are enterprising enough, you can probably rig up some kind of contraption and hook it to transmission cooling lines to flush out the converter.

 

It really depends and you have to ask them. One place I've been states they can get, whatever, 8qts out and a new filter or two. Another place will hook up something to the cooler lines, but still not get fluid out of the torque converter (I think that's how they explained it), then there is a place that will pull the pan and filter and hook the machine directly to the transmission and flush 100% of the fluid out and replace the filter(s). So, I've been quoted a "drain and filter" a "flush" and a complete drain, flush, fill with filters. It ranges from 25%, 40% to 100% depending on the methods. You have to ask the shop though, because just yesterday one of the quickie lube places asked if I wanted a trans flush and I asked about it and they said they didn't have the fittings to do my truck, so the best they could do was 25 - 40% of the fluid. For about $65 more I can get 100% of the fluid changed. So, again, you have to ask because they'll call them the same thing but it'll vary widely in what actually gets done.

Honestly, I'd call around and see who hooks directly to the transmission, not the cooler lines.

 

Thanks for the clarification Ace.

Looks like I won't be flushing. Does not sound safe.
http://autotechrepair.suite101.com/article.cfm/040206

 

I would call the service manager and ask him that question. He should be able to tell you exactly what they do, and how it is done.

 

It depends on how they do it. It can be perfectly safe and recommended, but it depends on what they're actually doing. You have to ask the questions because if they are back-flushing, maybe you don't want to do it. If you're maintaining your warranty, maybe you want them to flush the transmission correctly, and when recommended (30k miles on my truck). So, you just need to talk to the technician and ask them what they are doing, and you have to know the differences between what they say they are doing and what the next guy is doing.

 

Ok makes sense. I guess I will find out after all said and done, worst I lose time and money spent on the replace trans fluid/filters.

Out of curiosity, when the fluid is cold in the trans and it sucks and dumps back to the pan since the Thermostat is not open, is there an internal line/route that brings the fluid back to pan other than the outside return line on the rear of trans?

 

Agreed.

I'll bet that you can't do that on a 5R110W.

They are not backflushing because it is impossible to backflush a transmission.


There is no internal line. But you could use this procedure: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-exchange.html

 

There is no internal line. But you could use this procedure: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-exchange.html[/QUOTE]

I understand the procedure. But my question is on a cold transmission once the fluid gets sucked in from the internal filter port, where does the fluid go after that to re-enter the pan area? My understanding on a cold trans, 90% of trans fluid gets dumped back into the pan and 10% goes to coolers line....how does the 90% fluid get brought back into the pan after getting sucked through the internal filter port? Please describe.

 

The thermostat valve when cold sends most of the fluid from the torque converter to the lube system. From there is gets dumped to the pan. When hot the thermostat valve sends the fluid to the coolers. From the coolers it goes to the lube system, then to the pan.

 

Capeesh! Thanks for clarifying that for me. I appreciate your effort in lending a hand with your vast knowledge of the trans. Much appreciated Mark and God Bless 🙏🥂. Salute

 

Mark, I forgot to ask you this earlier. When I go to flush the converter with the line hooked up to a clean source of trans fluid, how many new quarts of fresh trans fluid should I put in the container to evacuate the torque converter of the old fluid?

 

What I did when servicing mine was to get my ramps all setup, drain pan and all tools ready then take the truck for a ride and get it up to temp. Pulled it into my shop and up on ramps and pulled the plug and let it drain, after it stopped running out and cooled dropped the pain to clean it and replace filter and refilled with 11 quarts. I didn't get it all but a good share of it.

Denny

 

What line are you connecting to a clean source of fluid?