Auto Tranny Service - Street Driven

[Longs]

My '93 has 66,000 miles, is street driven, and has never been used for any significant towing. The tranny has never been serviced. I checked the fluid today and it's a little brown, not bright red like new.

Can anyone provide any tips or recommendations on changing the fluid and filter? I've seen the tips about pumping out all of the fluid via the cooler lines, etc. I'd assume that I'd drop the pan (losing about 3 quarts of fluid), change the filter, reinstall the pan, and then pump the rest out, adding extra for the fluid that came out during the filter change.

Any feedback? Thanks in advance!

 

[utmustang88]

i dont know much about these things yet.... but one thing is for sure you need to change your tranny fluid... brown is not good at all.

 

[Alec]

Longs, that's pretty much how you do it. Pan drop then a full flush.

 

[aldive]

Brown ATF is not good.... change immediately.

Consider adding an external tranny filter while you are at it - cheap insurance. Also, I would go with synthetic ATF with the change.

Good luck.....

 

[Opera House]

Sounds like you've read it all

Just to hit the high points:

1. Add a couple of ceramic magnets. Some of the early ones didn't come with the magnet strip.
2. Go with the newer Microfelt filter element instead of the older metal screen. Bulkpart.com sells the top of the line SPX for only $10 (be sure to order the gasket). Half of what you pay for a Taiwan one. Ask for one for a 97 if they try to sell you a screen one.
3. After filter change, you can overfill tranny aout 2 quarts. This will insure you dont run the pump dry and you can safely pump out 3 quarts at a time.

Don't be concerned about the current color. Everything is fine. Just time to change.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

If one of those Microfelt filters is used, is an external filter kit necessary?

I am considering installing the spin-on filter kit on mine.

Thanks.

 

[aldive]

I would recommend an external filter no mater what else you do, It provides excellent filteration, is simple to replace and adds an extra quart of ATF to the system.

Synthetic ATF is the way to go too.

Good luck.....

 

[Opera House]

SPX has a Microfelt filter

that is physically larger that than the metal screen filters that are found in the early Explorers. This is the 66%PA and 33%GF filter element that is physically 50% larger and also has the filter element folded over inside for double the area. The same filter fits the A4LD, 4R55E, and 5R55E. I use the same filter in my 92 and 97. Those metal screens would hardly catch anything. You can still buy them but this new filter will handle the flow and give better filtering. I use an external filter too. Mostly for extra cooling and to get another quart in the system.

 

[Longs]

Imposter!!!

How does the system allow a guest to log in with my user name?