View Poll Results: Would you flush or drain?
Flush
4
40.00%
Drain
6
60.00%
Run it till it dies, then replace the tranny.
0
0%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll
Flush or drain?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Flush or drain?
I thought I would start a new conversation on transmissions, mostly for your opinions.
I recently purchased the fluid exchanger that I had been researching. Received it last week and I performed the flush over the weekend on my 02 Escape. I am extremely pleased with it. Very short learning curve performed on my Kubota tractor, first. I have been driving the Escape since the flush and I have no issues at 250 miles. I can take the used fluids to the recycle center (no fee). Next on the list of vehicles will be my daughter's Honda and then onto my F150. After I do the Escort, this tool will have almost paid for itself. One more after that will pay for the fluids used and I know that each vehicle received the fluids I wanted, and not what was currently in the barrel at the service center.
Obliviously, I am for flushing.
I recently purchased the fluid exchanger that I had been researching. Received it last week and I performed the flush over the weekend on my 02 Escape. I am extremely pleased with it. Very short learning curve performed on my Kubota tractor, first. I have been driving the Escape since the flush and I have no issues at 250 miles. I can take the used fluids to the recycle center (no fee). Next on the list of vehicles will be my daughter's Honda and then onto my F150. After I do the Escort, this tool will have almost paid for itself. One more after that will pay for the fluids used and I know that each vehicle received the fluids I wanted, and not what was currently in the barrel at the service center.
Obliviously, I am for flushing.
Transmission Rebuilder
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 62
From: North Georgia
I don't see any problem with flushing the fluid out with the machine, we use ours daily in our shop with out any problems.
Make sure you use the correct fluid for your Honda, regular dexton will make the shift even more aggressive than they already are.
Make sure you use the correct fluid for your Honda, regular dexton will make the shift even more aggressive than they already are.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Timely advice on the Honda fluid. I was going to buy that fluid this week as I intend to do that car this weekend providing nothing else takes precedence.
I now have over 900 miles on the Escape since the flush and am calling that well tested. Back to my daily driver (F150).
Thanks
I now have over 900 miles on the Escape since the flush and am calling that well tested. Back to my daily driver (F150).
Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 8
From: hinckley ohio
I drain mine and did the poll.People say when you flush it stirs up crud in the trans. I don't know if you pump it in one line and out the other its just doing the same as running it down the road every day. imo
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Now this is what a forum is about. Opinions and procedures. For and Against. Most of us work on our cars and some of us do it for a living. So our hands are dirty and callused, giving us thicker skin, I do not think our feelings will be damaged to badly if we should disagree from time to time.
I for one want to know what others do. What I do has been working, but I am sure there may be better ways.
I for one want to know what others do. What I do has been working, but I am sure there may be better ways.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
we recently traded in our 2003 Escape 4x4 with the 3.0 V6 engine. Truck had 103k miles. We had the dealer flush the tranny ever 30k miles or so. what i've read was a very fussy transmission never gave us a hint of trouble over the life of the time we owned the truck. Wife now has a 2010 Escape limited, 4x4 with the 3.0. This one has the 6 speed tranny, we plan on doing the same routine.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,952
Likes: 589
From: Greater Austin, Texas
I bought my Escape with 80K on it. I planned to get the trans flushed but I read some opinions that said the CD4E trans did not like to be flushed, so I opted to buy 4 gallons of Mercon fluid at Wal-Mart. So then every time I changed the oil I would also drain and refill the trans fluid, it took right at a gallon to refill. So after 4 changes I have almost new fluid in it and the fluid is real bright red. I am at 110K miles now and it is still working just fine. So mine was kind of a budget flush.
What kind of a machine did you buy and how much did it cost?
What kind of a machine did you buy and how much did it cost?
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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I bought my Escape with 80K on it. I planned to get the trans flushed but I read some opinions that said the CD4E trans did not like to be flushed, so I opted to buy 4 gallons of Mercon fluid at Wal-Mart. So then every time I changed the oil I would also drain and refill the trans fluid, it took right at a gallon to refill. So after 4 changes I have almost new fluid in it and the fluid is real bright red. I am at 110K miles now and it is still working just fine. So mine was kind of a budget flush.
What kind of a machine did you buy and how much did it cost?
What kind of a machine did you buy and how much did it cost?
On that note it was on sale and the cost indicates personal use only. It would not be expected to stand up to commercial use. It also offers an option to flush with a cleaning solution if I choose to do so. In the end I will use it about 4 or 5 times a year. After 5 usages at $150 per flush at a local transmission shop, it will have paid for itself.
The ease and completeness of the exchange that it offers makes it worth my investment.
I do have the same transmission as you and no problems after 1200 miles.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: West Plains, Missouri
I'm a Trooper here in the great state of Missouri and we put the old CrownVic through a lot. The Troop mechanics flush our systems. Also if there should be any question on the durability of the 4.6L I would rest at ease. Seems like I try to blow mine up every day without success. I've only got 7 years on and I am an EVOC instructor (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) who drives the wheels of the Crown Vic every day I go to work. It is truly a work horse. Out of 7 years I have managed to only burn up on trany and that was on a Vic that we were running up to 80K, usually we get rid of them at 59k.
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