Greetings

[Scatmanbrandt]

I've been browsing the forums for a while and decided to sign up. I recently purchased a 1992 Explorer XLT and my Dad owns a 1995 Explorer XLT, I've already done the zip-tie throttle cable fix on both and was surprised by how much more responsive the trucks became, mine took 2 and my dads needed 4.

And now for a question; I bought mine with 164k on it and it looks as if the transmission fluid has never been changed. I talked to a friend of mine that works at a Jiffy Lube and she said doing an entire system flush isn't a good idea because the varnish built up inside the transmission from the old fluid will break down and cause premature failure, she said she's seen it happen a few times and it could happen in as little as a week. I want to put synthetic fluid in it but I don't want to mix it with the nasty blackened goo (best way to describe it) that's in there. I don't want to wreck my transmission but if I leave the old fluid in there it's not gonna get any better. Any suggestions?

 

[Mr. Blue]

Welcome to the wonderful world of membership!

As for the tranny problem i havent the foggiest on this problem but im currently taking a class on transmissions and i can ask my teacher and hopefully have an answer by tommorow.

 

[Scatmanbrandt]

I've talked to a few more people and they all say the same so what I'll likely end up doing is just dropping the pan, change the filter and put some Maxlife 75,000 mile fluid in it, it would be cheaper then an entire flush anyways. Maybe put some seafoam in it too if I can afford it.

 

[Mr. Blue]

Well i spoke to my teacher and he said that he wouldnt risk a flush over lik 50'000 miles bc it may damage some components and you'll need a new tranny anyway. but yea just change the filter and add fluid as needed.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Seafoam is a very strong cleaner, so if you're afraid of ruining the transmission because of new fluid, don't add Seafoam. Either way, you will need to replace the filter.

 

[Scatmanbrandt]

Agreed. I'm still saving up enough money to do it (only $25 but I'm broke) so I'm barely driving it just to keep it from getting worse. Something I was thinking of adding was some Slick transmission treatment when I change out the fluid because it's supposed to be "gold in a bottle." Have you ever heard anything about that stuff?

 

[BrooklynBay]

I've never seen it before. I know that they make an engine additive, and even a lubricating spray. Try to get more information on it. I know that Lucas swells old seals to make a tighter fit, and Lubegard adds friction modifiers to help prevent slippage. I would assume that the friction modifier helps the internal clutch plates, and bands grab better. Maybe this stuff is a combination of the two products?

 

[Scatmanbrandt]

Well I finally changed the fluid and added some Lucas transmission fix. The old stuff actually wasn't as bad as it looked on the dipstick, I'm no expert on transmission fluid but the old stuff may have had about 50k on it. For my first transmission job I think I did a decent job, looked like I murdered a family of orphan children but YouTube got me prepared so I knew what was going on, and no leaks to boot.

I'm thinking of doing my transfer case now since I have an extra gallon of atf but I could only find one bolt and I'm not sure if it was the fill or drain bolt because it was about halfway between the top and bottom. Is there a diagram floating around that shows where the holes are at? Also there's a skidplate under it that I was about to remove but wasn't sure if it was holding anything up so maybe that might be hiding the drain bolt.

 

[Scatmanbrandt]

Is there a diagram floating around that shows where the holes are at? Also there's a skidplate under it that I was about to remove but wasn't sure if it was holding anything up so maybe that might be hiding the drain bolt.

Nevermind, I found a thread that details it very well. That's gonna be my project this Saturday, now to find someplace that will take all my used oil and trans fluid. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152869