How to extract max ATF from dipstick

[C420sailor]

@Josh P I think that’s a good idea

I installed an external filter on my 4R70W, will be going on my 5R55E when I get some time. It’s a remote spin-on that I bolted to the frame forward of the right wheel well. On the 5R I’m going to add a drain valve and barb/nipple as you mentioned so I can easily do a change.

I want a valve that allows me to select from straight through to 90° flow though, otherwise I think it may drain very slowly, if that makes sense. Maybe a Y valve, not sure what my options are

I have drain plugs on the converter and pan of the 4R70 so I don’t need it

Figure I’ll mount it to the IN fitting

 

[usapadyra]

Yes


Hot I can get out just under a gallon
Cold a full gallon exactly


Use motorcraft fluidView attachment 438510
View attachment 438511

Jealous lol. Don't know how you do that.

Tried again just now. Completely dry straight away.

Ran engine for 1 minute in park. No better.
Ran engine and cycled gears once. Slow engagement (expected) but after was able to get a little more out.

I have exactly 1900ml so 2.00845665961945 quarts. Just going to put 2 quarts in now. I'll do this 4 times over maybe a week. Not what I wanted but it's the best I can do in my current situation.

 

[C420sailor]

Or drop the pan and replace with one with a drain plug, or if you’re handy install a drain plug in it. Fumoto valves are even better. That way you can easily do 4qts at a time.

Getting the pan out on a SOHC is a ***** though, gotta unhook exhaust

 

[usapadyra]

Or drop the pan and replace with one with a drain plug, or if you’re handy install a drain plug in it. Fumoto valves are even better. That way you can easily do 4qts at a time.

Getting the pan out on a SOHC is a ***** though, gotta unhook exhaust

Would love to. Not viable for me right now

 

[donalds]

When you're putting your tube into the dipstick tube you have to make sure it goes all the way down to the pan

 

[CDW6212R]

These Ford automatics hold about 12 quarts of ATF. Most of it is trapped above the pan, near a gallon in the TC and the rest up above the valve body.

If you want to get the most old fluid out, drop the pan and just slightly loosen all of the VB bolts, a couple of turns at most. Often that will allow a tiny amount of air to get past the VB gasket sealing, and a few more quarts will drain, over an hour or so.

ATF now costs $6 or more per quart, a little less for cheap brands, and top level brands are $10+ each. If I drop the pan, I want to improve the VB while I'm in there with the messy job, plus replace as much fluid as possible. VB work is tedious and slow for experts, most people should avoid touching the VB.

 

[usapadyra]

An old thread - but a few months ago I got this vacuum extractor from Amazon:

Amazon.com

Since then I've been able to get as much as 4300ml out at a time. I think it has something to do with the semi-rigid tube instead of the soft rubber style one.

Although donalds uses the same red / black pump I was using back then when I could only get 2 quarts max, so I must have not been getting the tube all the way to the bottom.

I love the vacuum pump I have now. I can actually pump it up and leave it to do it's thing.

 

[Josh P]

An old thread - but a few months ago I got this vacuum extractor from Amazon:

Amazon.com

Since then I've been able to get as much as 4300ml out at a time. I think it has something to do with the semi-rigid tube instead of the soft rubber style one.

Although donalds uses the same red / black pump I was using back then when I could only get 2 quarts max, so I must have not been getting the tube all the way to the bottom.

I love the vacuum pump I have now. I can actually pump it up and leave it to do it's thing.

Makes you wonder who comes up those names? Thanks for posting this, I've been needing a pump and will buy this one.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Makes you wonder who comes up those names? Thanks for posting this, I've been needing a pump and will buy this one.

One pump does the work of 4 uncles? No clue.

 

[usapadyra]

Makes you wonder who comes up those names? Thanks for posting this, I've been needing a pump and will buy this one.

I think it's one of those products where a random manufacturer designs and produces it, and then a few different 'brands' can sell it on under their name. There are a couple other listings for it - one brand has it in red lol.

A few words of caution:

- Make sure yours doesn't come with any 'gaps' in the pump sealing ring, as pictured. My first pump wouldn't seal because of this and I would lose vacuum. It still worked, but the vacuum wasn't as strong and I had to continuously pump while extracting. Amazon took care of it and I got a relpacement at no cost. Easy to test - assemble the pump and stick a thumb over the end of the extraction tube while pumping. Should hold vacuum indefinitely with no hissing.

- The measurement markings on the side of the jug are NOT accurate. I had my trans perfectly filled for a long time, and I ended up overfilling a little because I trusted the markings on this thing. The fluid sat right in the middle between 3500 and 4000ml. So 3750 / 3800. Turns out that is more like 3400 after I checked it with water and an accurate measuring jug.

It is an extra step to have to decant into something with accurate measurements, but it's worth using a proper dedicated measuring jug anyway as so many larger things only have approximate markings (like paint mixing buckets).

To get max fluid out I pulled most of what was in the pan, around a gallon, left it a couple of hours and came back and got it up to 4300 total, so maybe another 500ml for waiting longer.

The pump also comes with a brake line bleed / flush adaptor. I was finally able to solo flush the braking system. Super easy.