2002 Sport Trac Transmission Service question

[Goodman Racing]

Hey everyone! I have a 02 Sport Trac 4X4 with 82K on it. I want to have the tranny serviced, but am not sure if I should have a standard service done (filter/ fluid) or a flush and service?? I am the second owner, and I don't think the tranny has ever been serviced...expert advice apreciated

[tobeybj]

A standard service (drop the pan, change filter, refill) doesn't replace all the fluid. The fluid in the torque converter will be untouched.

The flush and refill (when done correctly) should make sure all the old fluid is removed and replaced.

I'd suspect you're do for a flush and refill. I'm not 100% on Ford's recommended interval, but the trans shop that did mine said 75K intervals are fine for regular driving. If it's seen a lot of towing knock that down to 40K intervals.

[swshawaii]

Complete transmission service at my local Ford dealer $199.95.
Dropped the pan and replaced with an OEM Motorcraft FT filter.
Used a BG PF5 flush machine and 20 quarts of Mercon V (10 qt. capacity)
Fluid and filter alone $140. A bargain IMO, without the mess and hassle.

http://www.bgprod.com/products/transmission.html

[marc0123]

A friend of mine is a transmission specialist at my local ford dealer ship and he told me that it is not necessary to do a fluid flush. An other scam from the dealer's

just saying

[swshawaii]

A standard service (drop the pan, change filter, refill) doesn't replace all the fluid. The fluid in the torque converter will be untouched.

The flush and refill (when done correctly) should make sure all the old fluid is removed and replaced.

What sense does it make to "dilute" contaminated tranny fluid @ 82K?
Similar to draining 1/3 of the motor oil, changing the filter, and topping off.

[OffTrac]

Originally Posted by marc0123

A friend of mine is a transmission specialist at my local ford dealer ship and he told me that it is not necessary to do a fluid flush. An other scam from the dealer's

just saying

The bold says all we need to know about the value of his opinion.

[LONO100]

if youre under 100k, i say it wouldnt hurt to start getting into doing it regularly. i just hit 88k on mine and im about to do mine once i get a chance.

[RNGRDVE]

I don't think it's necc. to drop the pan to replace filter. I would do the trans flush. We had a silverado with about 200k, slipping trans and black fluid come into the shop a couple years ago. We tried a flush to see if it would help before rebuilding trans, it didn't help but when we tore the trans down to overhaul the filter looked brand new.

[Goodman Racing]

Thanks for all the input guys, I really appreciate it! I think I'll do a filter replacement and flush. I know I'll replace the filter if I replace the fluid Getting ready to install Scanguage II with a tranny cooler and want to start out fresh

[OffTrac]

It can't really hurt to change the filter, but I really don't think it's necessary either.

I got an alignment yesterday (we'll leave it at that ) and asked about the tranny flush because I wasn't sure my shop had that capability. They do a true flush and also assured me that they don't do the filter unless requested by the customer as it's usually not necessary. Again, can't hurt, right?

[Clusterpup]

With 80k miles I would get the transmission fluid changed soon as possible. Much more mileage then that I would say don't change it at all until the tranny goes out. If I had an auto transmission in my trac, I would change the fluid every 40k.

[Goodman Racing]

Well after the Scanguage II install, we headed to St. Louis! Running almost 3 hours solid, the hottest my tranny temp got was 150 F. Today I did a tranny flush (myself), after finding out my local dealer did not use a certified technician to do the work...I am VERY particular about the work done on my vehicles!
So I installed a second auxillary tranny cooler (had a factory aux cooler also) in series, and now I'm all set for pulling the new 7X14 enclosed v-nose trailer in a few days!
Total revamp was 1. Wired a factory 7 way/ 4 way combo trailer connector 2. Installed a Prodigy P2 Brake Controller 3. Hooked up a Scanguage II to monitor tranny temp 4. Flushed Tranny & installed secondary auxilary cooler (Derale 13503)
Thanks for all the great knowledge from the members on the forum, I couldn't have done it without you