Can't find my answer.
This Explorer has 105000 miles and the trans has never been touched.
What is the convential wisdom about changing the fluid. Expect to drive this one at least another 50000 miles.
Is this a dealer only thing?
Trans works ok just seems a little stiff and hesitatant at times.

Thanks for your advice and assist.

Clipper

 

It's not a dealer thing, it's just a pain you know where. A fluid/filter change would be great but I would hesitate doing one of the flush/changes. My $.02 worth.

 

Your trans is ont he way out because it has been neglected. The trans should have the fluid and filter replaced every 30,000 miles. Otherwise the friction material from the bands and clutches builds up to saturation levels, and acts like a sand blasting agent, wearing down all the moving parts. It gets into the bore of the valve body and wears into the metal creating too much clearance. Once this happens, the pressures drop, resulting in delayed shifting, slipping, etc. This in turn causes additional damage and excessive heat build up.

The only way to remove the friction material is to replace the fluid. The filter cannot trap much of this stuff, it is too small. The filter just catches the larger material.

A flush will only damage the transmission if it forces its way through the transmission. You first need to drop the pan and replace the filter (some models just have a washable screen.) You need to inspect the gunk on the pan and see if there is any metal on the magnet. Then you need to wash the pan to get all that gunk out before you reassemble and refill. A standard flush skips this stage, allowing the flush machine to pick up the gunk and force it through the valve body and torque converter, causing additional damage.

You should get all the old fluid out, which can only be done through a flush or a fluid exchange. A flush is not recommended, many machines force fluid through the trans and can cause damage in many ways, including blowing out seals. A fluid exchange on the other hand consists of using the transmissions own internal pump to pump out the old fluid while new fluid is added. This technique can be done in your own driveway, but will require a helper, and if your trans is sealed, it may require a pump to add the new fluid. I'm sure there are others on this forum who have done this and can pass on their experiences.

But to sum it up. Your trans is probably dying. If you ignore it, the problem will not go away, and it will get worse. If you replace the fluid, it might help you get more life out of the trans. I know that fluid exchanges have worked well for me in the past. Worst case scenario, you get a bit more life before having to go for a trans rebuild anyway. But if you can get more life before you get to that point, it is probably worth it.

 

Thanks for the input.

Clipper

 

how do you check the trans fluid?

 

You really don't. Since it's sealed, unless you have a leak there's no where for the fluid to go. Beyond that, you follow the advice of many of the forum members and have the fluid and filter changed every 30-40k miles. Whether or not to flush the system will have to be a decision you make on your own, some folks think a flush is a good thing, some think a flush may cause problems, especially if the fluid hasn't had a 30-40k change interval up to the point that a flush is performed.

-Rod

 

??? the drain plug is two plugs. a drain within a stand tube. take out the small plug and the oil will be full up to the top of the stand tube. you use a weed sprayer to pump fluid up thru the hole, then remove the pump and it will flow backward till full around the stand tube... dont lflush.. take off the pan and change that 5 quarts, clean, get new filter. i do that every 2 years.. dont need to pump out all tlhe fluid.. dont do a "flush"

 

I have found it easy to do the tranny flush, first drop pan, clean and change filter.

Disconnect the Transmission line from RAD, connect a clear tube and direct into a bucket. Connect a transfer pump to the RAD return nipple and into a bucket/5gal pail of fresh ATF, pump fresh fluid into tranny, start engine and pump fresh fluid until discharge is clear.

remove centre drain plug and pump until tranny is full to a dribble. install plug and connect cooler lines.

 

hi thanks to steve(ill) and his explanation of the drain plug and putting fluid back i just got done and it was easy i just needed that little info thar\t i got from steve on his post thanks steve .