Guys.. Need some help with my Aviator

[mbl_rl]

I have a 2003 Lincoln Aviator.. 63,000 miles.. I love it! However, I had to take it in today to the dealership for an oil change and alignment...
The service manager called and told me while it was there that they recomend a fuel filter (which i bought), origonal on car! Ekk...
(I bought it used) And that he recomeneded a tranny service..
I need to ask him tommorow, if its a flush, or just drain and filter...
I also did'nt do it, because I wanted your opinions!
I searched it however, I could'nt find a deffinate answer!
I hope you all can provide me with one!
I kinda thought they were sealed for life...
I dont know though, Thought maybe just a money ploy for the stealership!
Thanks!

 

[trucku]

One word "STEALERSHIP"!

Fuel filter I say fine, but how much are they charging you?
Is your tranny having any issues? A flush will cost you almost $200 alone. Make sure you get it in writing with what will be done and price. And specify you don't authorized anything else without a call and your approval. I have heard many times of all kinds of additions that "had" to be taken care of.

The trannys are "supposedly sealed for life" but I we all pretty much change out the fluid. I flushed out my tranny while it was in the 50k mileage and it was pretty bad. I am glad I did it.

If your can't do the work yourself its going to cost you either way. So make sure you get a second opinion if you feel iffy about something. If you cannot change the fuel filter yourself then your going to pay for labor. If your tranny is running ok and you don't have the cash hold off till you can afford to have a shop (not necessarily the dealer ) do it.

Good Luck

 

[mbl_rl]

Well its not that I dont have the money! LoL.. Its that I dont know if I should flush it or even replace it. I have heard horrer storys on replacing the fluid the the tranny faliing completly! I just would like some in-sight on what you think I should do as far as YES having it changed or NO do not do it!
I can afford the fluid change, I can't afford to install a new transmission!
Do you guys think that a simple fluid change and filter replacment would
be ok? or is this iffy!

Thanks

 

[trucku]

DO IT!..

Cheap insurance.

And with that said. Go ahead and flush out your brake fluid with new one. It will make a difference. Do the Power steering. All you have to do with that is drain and fill, cycle steering wheel, drain and fill again. The fluid will be nice and new. Flush out the radiator and replace the thermostat(stock temp).
...All cheap insurance.

 

[CDW6212R]

Transmissions which fail after changing the fluid were going to fail soon anyway. The latest Ford transmissions have no dipstick, they are trying to keep us from working on our own vehicles.

All Ford automatics can use new fluid every 50-100k miles. Almost all of them can benefit greatly from a valve body kit being installed.

The fluid and filter are under a 20 minute job for them, and the parts should be under $50. If they charge much more than I would not let them do it.

I prefer to use the best fluids when possible, have recently moved up to Amsoil with an external trans filter, plus a bypass filter for the engine. If you are still under a warantee that requires their service, continue that. Once you are on your own you can do better with better products and another labor source. Take care of that Aviator, I hope to buy one some day.

 

[rrgone]

I'm not sure about the Aviators but for the Explorers, depending on which Service Interval Guide you look at, the recommended tranny service ranges from every 150K miles to never! That's just crazy. That service manager is obviously aware that Ford was off the mark with those recommendations. Get it serviced as he recommended. Good luck.