Transmission Torque converter drain???

elester12 · 03-04-2007, 10:47 AM

Hey guys. I have just purchased a used ford explorer 2002. I am changing all the fluids including the transmission. I know i have the sealed transmission and have to fill it using that fill port on the bottom.

Does the transmission have a torque converter drain plug? Is it a good idea to remove the pan and change the filter as well? I'm excited to see how the fluid looks after 80,000 miles. I will be more than happy to take pictures and put them on here too!
Thanks all

**MountaineerGreen** · 03-04-2007, 10:56 AM

I don't believe the torque converter has a drain. Most people pull a line off of the front tranny cooler to change their fluid, of course you want to drop the pan and change the filter.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...ad.php?t=77507

elester12 · 03-04-2007, 11:15 AM

Thanks! I've heard some people say that there is a fill plug on the side of the sealed transmission... is this true?!

**MountaineerGreen** · 03-04-2007, 11:27 AM

I don't really know- not too familiar with the 3rd gen drivetrain. I'd think there is a plug on there somewhere, but don't know there.

I'd suggest you search some different keywords on here, you will probably find your answer. In the meantime, maybe someone else will jump in here.

Glacier991 · 03-04-2007, 11:34 AM

The 5R55W has a fill plug on the side of the case located at the back on the passenger side. It also has a torque convertor drain plug.

The 5R55E has neither.

elester12 · 03-04-2007, 11:39 AM

Glacier991, where is that torque converter drain located?! I can't find it! Thanks! --also after draining the torque convertor, how much fluid am I looking to put back in? 18 quarts I've read?

410Fortune · 03-04-2007, 11:42 AM

more like 8 quarts with a pan drop.
If your converter has a drain there should be a rubber plug directly under the converter, then you turn the crankshaft over by hand or bump the starter, until the drain comes into view

Is your 02 a V6 or V8?

elester12 · 03-04-2007, 11:52 AM

Great, thanks. Anyone have any pictures of this torque converter rubber plug?

Glacier991 · 03-04-2007, 12:17 PM

If you have a 5R55W at the bottom of the bellhousing there will be a black rubber plug about the size of a silver dollar. If you have a 5R55E there won't be one.

elester12 · 03-04-2007, 03:43 PM

thanks guys! i got the job done except i'm not sure about what temp. the transmission is at when I check the fluid. I know some people on here have put transmission temp. guages but I'm not hauling anything to need it. Which scan tool do people use to get the transmission temp? I want to be sure the fluid is at the right temp..

and off subject. does anyone know what size that plug is on the read diff drain? Its huge!

**BrooklynBay** · 03-04-2007, 08:34 PM

Welcome to this forum! Check the above sticky threads, such as the 5R55W fluid fill, and installing a transmission temperature gauge. They should answer all of your questions. Both have excellent illustrations.

03-04-2007, 10:47 AM	#1
elester12 Wannabe Elite Explorer Fairfax, VA 02 XLT Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Transmission Torque converter drain??? Hey guys. I have just purchased a used ford explorer 2002. I am changing all the fluids including the transmission. I know i have the sealed transmission and have to fill it using that fill port on the bottom. Does the transmission have a torque converter drain plug? Is it a good idea to remove the pan and change the filter as well? I'm excited to see how the fluid looks after 80,000 miles. I will be more than happy to take pictures and put them on here too! Thanks all

03-04-2007, 10:56 AM	#2
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs	I don't believe the torque converter has a drain. Most people pull a line off of the front tranny cooler to change their fluid, of course you want to drop the pan and change the filter. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...ad.php?t=77507 __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

03-04-2007, 11:27 AM	#4
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs	I don't really know- not too familiar with the 3rd gen drivetrain. I'd think there is a plug on there somewhere, but don't know there. I'd suggest you search some different keywords on here, you will probably find your answer. In the meantime, maybe someone else will jump in here. __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

03-04-2007, 11:42 AM	#7
410Fortune ELITE BRONCO2ERER Crawlorado B2 Mod Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 22,099 Vehicle Specs	more like 8 quarts with a pan drop. If your converter has a drain there should be a rubber plug directly under the converter, then you turn the crankshaft over by hand or bump the starter, until the drain comes into view Is your 02 a V6 or V8? __________________ 96 Explorer daily driver build-1996 XLT 5.0L AWD to 4x4 conversion complete on 33's 88 BII 5.0L conversion - BII 5.0l drivetrain thread My Bronco II - 1988 Bronco II 4x4 V8 on 35's - registry and updates Wifes 07 FJ build - 2007 FJ cruiser locked and lifted

03-04-2007, 08:34 PM	#11
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,689 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! Check the above sticky threads, such as the 5R55W fluid fill, and installing a transmission temperature gauge. They should answer all of your questions. Both have excellent illustrations. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

03-04-2007, 11:15 AM	#3
elester12 Wannabe Elite Explorer Fairfax, VA 02 XLT Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks! I've heard some people say that there is a fill plug on the side of the sealed transmission... is this true?!

03-04-2007, 11:34 AM	#5
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,830 Vehicle Specs	The 5R55W has a fill plug on the side of the case located at the back on the passenger side. It also has a torque convertor drain plug. The 5R55E has neither.

03-04-2007, 11:39 AM	#6
elester12 Wannabe Elite Explorer Fairfax, VA 02 XLT Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Glacier991, where is that torque converter drain located?! I can't find it! Thanks! --also after draining the torque convertor, how much fluid am I looking to put back in? 18 quarts I've read?

03-04-2007, 11:52 AM	#8
elester12 Wannabe Elite Explorer Fairfax, VA 02 XLT Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Great, thanks. Anyone have any pictures of this torque converter rubber plug?

03-04-2007, 12:17 PM	#9
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,830 Vehicle Specs	If you have a 5R55W at the bottom of the bellhousing there will be a black rubber plug about the size of a silver dollar. If you have a 5R55E there won't be one.

03-04-2007, 03:43 PM	#10
elester12 Wannabe Elite Explorer Fairfax, VA 02 XLT Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 29 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	thanks guys! i got the job done except i'm not sure about what temp. the transmission is at when I check the fluid. I know some people on here have put transmission temp. guages but I'm not hauling anything to need it. Which scan tool do people use to get the transmission temp? I want to be sure the fluid is at the right temp.. and off subject. does anyone know what size that plug is on the read diff drain? Its huge!