02 transmission fluid check???

[B767capt]

Greetings, I just bought my daughter a new 02 Explorer which has the 5r55w trans. The manual says no dip stick. I always add a cooler and a magnefine in line filter and was wondering how to add fluid, and how to check the fluid level on this tranny?
Thanks Bill

 

[Jefe]

Without a dip stick, that would be impossible. You can thank those wonderful Ford engineers for that one.

The Tranny is sopposed to be "sealed for life." The only thing I can recommed is to keep it that way.

 

[B767capt]

Thanks Jefe, I had the same impressions, thanks Ford. The manual goes on to says flush the trans every 30K.

 

[Jason_25]

My understanding is that these trannies are "non-serviceable" until a certain mileage. If I were you, I would play it safe and check with your ford dealer on that one.

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by B767capt
Thanks Jefe, I had the same impressions, thanks Ford. The manual goes on to says flush the trans every 30K.

. . . Hopefully 30k is not its full life span

 

[josie]

I had my '02 transmission fluid and filter changed (at the dealer) in in Feb. Last couple of weeks it has been starting to shutter when taking off from a stop just before it shifts out of first gear. Sometimes it actually feels like I am hitting patches of ice. I decide I would check fluid level and due to having no dipstick I followed the instructions stamped on the bottom of the pan. "outer bolt for fluid drain center bolt for fluid level check - check fluid level by removing center bolt until fluid stops running out then fill through fill plug until fluid begins to run out again" (I don't know if this is the exact wording) Anyway, with the vehicle level I removed the center plug out of the drain plug on the bottom of the pan and fluid ran out of the hole. I put the plug back in after about a quart ran out (it looked like it wasn't going to stop) because I though that I might be checking it wrong. Because of what was stamped on the pan I thought that I would see a little fluid come out not that much. Does anyone know the proper method? Is my transmission overfilled?

P.S. 46,000 miles and problem seems to get worse as transmission gets warmed up. It is hardly noticeable when cold

 

[Opera House]

Close, but no cigar.......

Procedure as you stated is missing two items. The engine must be running and the fluid must be up to temperature. If the engine isn't running, fluid drains out of the TC and the fluid level goes higher.

 

[WDP]

Thank you Mr. Opera House, please continue- where is the FILL plug location?? I have a 2004 without the traditional dip stick.

WDP