Fluid and filter replacement on 6R60

[Explorer_PL]

Another thread that may be helpful to someone.
At 254k miles I decided to change the filter and fluid on my 06v8. It has been almost 2 years and 43k miles since last change, number of long trips with various trailers ranging from 3 to 6k, regular snow plowing in the winters. The tranny has been good to me so if I can stretch it to 300k miles on this original unit, then I am ok, but no one knows

Used my home made ramps for safe work underneath.

Used a cement mixing tub from Home Depot, it's a messy job. Removed all the 8mm bolts around except the 4 in the corners. Then loosen the rear 2 and let it drain. Loosen/remove the 19mm plug.

View of the old filter and the mechatronic unit with the 7 solenoids and TCM

Filter and fluid:

Old vs new fluid. The magnet only had some powder residue which is normal. No metal shavings or anything like that. The tranny shifts same way it did 10 years ago so fingers crossed:

The tranny temperature was around 190-210 during the work commute:

 

[Explorer_PL]

Forgot to add, drained about 6 qrts, and refilled same.

 

[tripplec]

I guess you have an Android app to the stereo head via ELM adapter. I see you're at idle. But the Transmission Temp is high. Engine yeah but that's hot for a normal transmission that's not working very hard. I doubt them ramps (neat idea) are loading it.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Yes to ELM blue tooth adapter.
The picture was taken when I was stopped at a red light after driving for 30 miles this morning - please define a normal trans temp.
When pulling heavy trailer, I would get to 230 in the summer, 195 on a highway unloaded.
I climb these ramps in 4x4 low, is that what you meant ?

 

[tripplec]

Ramps, I meant very neat and much higher clearance achieve than the steel ones I have. Well done...

Normal range on a dipstick has always been about 75 to 100F from marking on those dipstick vehicles. Hot is around 170F. I have felt my fluid after a long drive (cooler equipped) and its always below that in that its not burning my fingers. I know you're running a transmission cooler from other threads on that topic. Unfortunately I don't have any spec's on tranny temps I can quote just from talking to tranny guys and my experience over countless vehicles I have worked on. Maybe its being monitored at a very hot area of the internals by the oem sensor.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Hmmm..
You are right, either my transmission is running hot (has always been like that) or my android is misreading the temperature.

 

[tripplec]

Yeah, high heat is primarily what blackens the fluid and not lots of miles. I have changed mine in a previous Jeep Grand Cherokee w/4.0L block and after the original fluid was purged and running with a flat plate cooler. It always came out redish in subsequent fluid changes. Currently I just changed the fluid in my Sante Fe which has the 3500lb tow package and it also came out redish. I had the dealer do it upon purchase almost 3 years ago. It has small tranny cooler.

You might want to have a look at your cooler to see if its clear etc Flat plate type is the only way to go if you're installing one. They are not very big for a large rating. Tube and fin types are ancient school and almost useless.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

tripplec: You really need to stop trying to compare a 3v 6 speed Explorer to a Jeep. They are 2 completely different animals.
Monitor the trans temps of your explorer and you will understand exactly what PL is talking about.

I've seen 215 F in stop and go traffic in 90 F summer heat in my explorer. (never towed)
My 4spd aode Mustang has never been over 185 F even when making passes at the track in same summer time heat with 2 trans coolers and Mercon V.

 

[tripplec]

It still seams to be running hot. Oem don't publish running spec's on them and his is pretty black. Maybe normal maybe not. Just an observation. I don't have the Jeep anymore. I have a Sante Fe now but looking to make a change. Explorer or Highlander, looking around still. Its hard to find a low mileage Explorer 200k km yeah few less than that.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Bill -
Few years ago you said that when I did my mechatronic

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...c-replacement-saga-continues-pictures.436342/

"2 thumbs up for your ramps, drop sheet/tarp and drain pan. May I suggest a couple pieces of angle iron as stops on the ramps? Would be a disaster to drive off the edge. How about wheel chaulks?"

I took your comments to my heart and bolted those rubber stops I found in my garage, thanks for the suggestion

And I agree, if those temps were above normal, I do not believe this tranny would last that long. I am doing between 70-100 miles a day running that high so I guess it's normal.
From what I read, anything above 225 is a reason for concern but same as with 3000 mile oil changes, those numbers are old school. Today's oil and tranny fluids are much better engineered and can last longer and sustain higher temps.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

With the 175 F internal bypass valve, it stands to reason that these 6 speeds will run hot. Can only imagine how much heat is emitted from the cooler. Since your fluid change is only approx half of the total fluid capacity, plus the temps from the conditions that you run, can see why the fluid color would be dark and spent.
As a comparison, I have just under 100k on my 06. First change was pan drop and filter at 30k (dealer). I did 2nd change (pan drop and filter) at approx 75k, 3 yrs ago. Drained and replaced 4+ qts this past summer since I have a drain plug now. Fluid is discolored when removed, but not dark or burnt.
Been adding trans coolers, drain plugs and temp gauges since the 70's. Changing trans fluid is a normal maintenance item to me.

And yes I did notice the stops on your ramps. My ramps are wimpy compared to yours.

 

[tripplec]

I don't think I am wrong on this temp level. This relates to the 6R80 but a HD version of the 60 as I understand anyway. 200F is the max level sustained according to this. http://etereman.com/blog/ford-trans...ms-to-look-out-for-with-the-6r80-transmission

Also this is part of the control for normal temp of 150F - 160F.
http://www.atra.com/Bulletins/2008/Apr/atb1166.pdf

I'll leave it at that to battle it out either way. Just trying to be helpful on the temperature point.

 

[tripplec]

Detailed info on the 6R80 can be read here as an FYI informative publication.
http://www.f150hub.com/trans/6r80.html

 

[Bill MacLeod]

In general and as a rule of thumb, I would be concerned with elevated trans temps. Especially in the 180 + range.

BUT, this does not apply to the 6R60 which is what this thread is about and stated by Explorer PL as he noted in the thread title.

The Atra bulletin linked above provides false info, period.

It is well noted in the 2006 Ford Workshop Manual that the 6R60 has a thermal bypass valve that shuts off fluid flow to the cooler if the fluid temp falls below normal operating temperature. To check for proper fluid level, a diagnostic tool is to be used to verify fluid temp is above 93 C (200 F). This procedure makes sure that any air is purged from the system. Correct fluid level is indicated by the crosshatch area on the indicator with a normal operating temp of 80 -85 C (175-185F).
This info has been noted time and again on this site with regards to the 6R60 trans.

If the 6R80 trans operating temp as different, please start another thread with that info.

 

[Explorer_PL]

That site looks like it's using some generic info pasted on number of their pages and is the same for all transmissions.
Since I am running above 200 on daily basis for the past 11 years, the life of my transmission should be reduced in half according to that site. Even if it fails now due my negligence or running it hot, one would expect about 500k miles under normal cooler conditions.
Like Bill said, this unit is different. It would be long gone if it were really overheating. Last July I drove for several hundred miles pulling a trailer, and the engine temp was crossing the mid point and the fun was coming on quite often. It really worked hard in the summer heat but it survived.

PS: Bill - is your Mustang the first year of the new body with the last year of the 5.0 OVH ? And what is GTS for ?

 

[Bill MacLeod]

To answer your ? as best I can and/or think I know.
- 94/98 Mustang is SN95 platform
- 95 was last year of 5 litre pushrod motor
- 95 was only year for GTS order option
- 6270 models produced
GTS was an order option only. Basically a V6 car with V8 powertrain. You could only add options for a V6, no GT options were available. In other words, stripped down GT. Came with Mustang GT badges, GT rear bumper and drivetrain.
Can usually be identified by no fog lights, cheap cloth seats, no power locks or window, no abs, no rear spoiler. Many had rear spoiler added by dealer. (mine has one)
A few have factory PW & PL as it was an order option for V6 cars, don't think any had abs.
After 95, a wingless stripped down model was ordered by a code #. Something like 248A. ?????

Valuable?....... maybe to the owner, not to anyone else

( I have added rear leather from a 96 cobra, front leather from a 99 cobra and 96 cobra doors that have PW & PL. What a cluster to match up the wiring. Still don't have the PL's working.)

Big fat pig, slower than a turtle. (lol)

 

[BigBlockWagon]

Another thread that may be helpful to someone.
At 254k miles I decided to change the filter and fluid on my 06v8. It has been almost 2 years and 43k miles since last change, number of long trips with various trailers ranging from 3 to 6k, regular snow plowing in the winters. The tranny has been good to me so if I can stretch it to 300k miles on this original unit, then I am ok, but no one knows

Used my home made ramps for safe work underneath.

Used a cement mixing tub from Home Depot, it's a messy job. Removed all the 8mm bolts around except the 4 in the corners. Then loosen the rear 2 and let it drain. Loosen/remove the 19mm plug.

View of the old filter and the mechatronic unit with the 7 solenoids and TCM

Filter and fluid:

Old vs new fluid. The magnet only had some powder residue which is normal. No metal shavings or anything like that. The tranny shifts same way it did 10 years ago so fingers crossed:

The tranny temperature was around 190-210 during the work commute:

I know this is an older post but I'm hoping you can tell me what app you used for your Android? I'm interested in adding something similar to my 2007 Sport Trac 4.6 SOHC 3v V8 w/6R60 trans.
Thanks, Ken

 

[Explorer_PL]

That's a torque app that came with the head unit.
I have a separate write up on that.
Interestingly, I had to reset it to factory condition, and now I can't add the tranny temp .......