I want to flush my Transmision fluid

[02_AK_EB]

and I am under the impression that ford has to do it because of it bveing sealed. Anyone know the cost to get that done?

 

[47knuckle]

i think its around 100 but maybe a little less. im trying to get answers if i should do it or not myself. i have over 97k on mine and im thinking about getting mine flushed but some people say their trannys got ruined after getting them cleaned out cause all the old crap inside was holding them together. idk what to do haha.

 

[Fox Fader]

I do most things myself, but this I won't.
Sears will do it, but make sure they know how to check the level when done.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I always have it done at the dealership- it was $130 for my Taurus for a flush and fill/Wynn's. The Ex when it goes will be about $150-ish because there is a trans filter. As much as it would get done, I can justify the price so I have the dealership receipt and responsibility if they mess something up. I won't let Jiffy Lube or anyone else do it, just the dealer. A new car payment is $400 per month. I can justify $150 once every 2-3 years.

 

[ExploderJoe]

I have heard the same thing about tranny flushes killing transmissions. Usually, the case was that it was never flushed before and as a previous post said, the crap got unlodged and went through the trans. I for one bought mine used and have no idea what was done as for as trans and transfer case fluid changes so, I will probably just change the filter(s) and refill rather than doing a whole flush.

 

[nascar_intimid]

get the dealer to do this one bro....

 

[ExPlOrErImPoRtS]

Talked with dealer before. Said if have problems don't flush. better to leave it alone and let it fail.

tranny shops that are good around here. Say we will not flush we drop pan and replace filter.

when flushing could loosen up the junk and get it stuck somewhere else thats not good.

I don't flush due to not wanting to take the risk. Unless they will agree to fix if it does start slipping ect.

 

[ZNathan130]

One solution I've heard about is to flush it, drive for about 1500 miles, then flush it again. It's a little bit more expensive, but it should get out all the gunk without trashing your tranny. I'm in no way saying that it is a full-proof method to protect your tranny, but I do believe it is much safer.

 

[BrianDye]

Yea, im having the same great debate, whether to flush, or just change it, I barely have the money to flush it, but then again, that would be the best to get the **** out of there, cus I had coolant leak into it, but reading all this, and other things from other sites really makes me lean away from getting it flushed.

I think ill go ahead and get mine changed from my buddy who's done it a few times, and then leave it at that.

If I had a full time job, money in the bank, and another car I could drive if it did start to slip or mess up, then thats another story, but im 17, part time job, 1 explorer (well technically 2, but only 1's plated)


And also, id do it at the stearlership, for the simple fact of that if it messes up, I have the reciept for them to repair it. Around here, the shops would probably be like "I dont know who the f**k you are sir please leave" lol

 

[celly]

Yea, im having the same great debate, whether to flush, or just change it.

Brian, your situation us MUCH different. Your tranny fluid is contaminated with coolant. Changing the fluid will leave traces of the coolant behind, trashing the tranny in the process. You don't seem to grasp that concept. Flush vs fill isn't an option in your case. Flush the tranny or kill it are your only options despite the fact you continue to ignore everyone on the subject.

I think ill go ahead and get mine changed from my buddy who's done it a few times, and then leave it at that.

It's too bad the sucker, er guy trading the Lincoln with you doesn't frequent this site, because he'd run for the hills if he did. You're scamming him. There is no way someone should accept a vehicle whose tranny fluid is contaminated. No tranny fluid change is going to get rid of the coolant. Is your "buddy" a magician? He'd have to be to purge the system of coolant without doing a proper flush.

If I had a full time job, money in the bank, and another car I could drive if it did start to slip or mess up, then thats another story, but im 17, part time job, 1 explorer (well technically 2, but only 1's plated)

Cry me a river. You really need to grow up and get your priorities in order. If you don't have the money to do it right, why not wait until you do? Doing a quick band-aid fix and then passing the truck off as "normal" is fraudulent. In the other thread where you conveniently chose to stop responding, it's clearly obvious that you need to:

(1) Get a new rad.

(2) Flush the tranny.

(3) Flush the coolant.

You're a real piece of work Brian. I'm sorry to hijack the original poster's thread, but this kid is something else. :thumbdwn:

 

[BrianDye]

This topic isnt about me, so lets keep this outta here. And im not to worried because im gonna have to replace the tranny on the LS anyways, and im giving him more than just the explorer. He already knows about it anyways. Ill post about it in MY thread, I dont wanna steal this one.

 

[celly]

This topic isnt about me, so lets keep this outta here. Ill post about it in MY thread, I dont wanna steal this one.

LOL, you do get it. After you moan about YOU in this thread already complete with all the "whoa is me", now you're backtracking. Like I said, a real piece of work.

 

[ExploderJoe]

Back on topic...has the trans been flushed before and how many miles on it. Higher mileage and if you do not know the history of maint. I would just drop the pan, change the filter, re-fill, and go for it.

 

[dndsam]

I have an 02 Explorer with 103K on it and the tranny fluid had never been changed. I contemplated the same dilemma. I called some local repair shops and some wouldn't even touch it since the fluid has never been changed. Too much risk on the local guys should something go wrong after the work is done. Not that I would have used these local guys after being burned too many times, I was seeking information to assist on my decision making process. I ended up taking mine to the dealership to have this done and this is what I found out. When I arrived at the dealership, they asked me if I wanted a drain and fill(about $99) or a full flush and fill(about $150). I elected for the flush and fill. It was recommended to me by someone on this board that after you have this done, take it back a year later to have it done again to get the remaining contaminants out that have had a time to break loose since the flush and fill. You should then be good for regular intervals from that point on.

Thus far, all has been good. I did not have any previous indications that something was wrong prior to the service being done, which aided in my decision to go ahead with the flush and fill. If you suspect something is wrong, I would leave it as is. A flush and fill will not fix the problem only magnify the problem and lead to a more expensive repair sooner.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[EasyRhino]

I have an 02 Explorer with 103K on it and the tranny fluid had never been changed. I contemplated the same dilemma. I called some local repair shops and some wouldn't even touch it since the fluid has never been changed. Too much risk on the local guys should something go wrong after the work is done. Not that I would have used these local guys after being burned too many times, I was seeking information to assist on my decision making process. I ended up taking mine to the dealership to have this done and this is what I found out. When I arrived at the dealership, they asked me if I wanted a drain and fill(about $99) or a full flush and fill(about $150). I elected for the flush and fill. It was recommended to me by someone on this board that after you have this done, take it back a year later to have it done again to get the remaining contaminants out that have had a time to break loose since the flush and fill. You should then be good for regular intervals from that point on.

Thus far, all has been good. I did not have any previous indications that something was wrong prior to the service being done, which aided in my decision to go ahead with the flush and fill. If you suspect something is wrong, I would leave it as is. A flush and fill will not fix the problem only magnify the problem and lead to a more expensive repair sooner.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

I think that this is pretty sound advice. Mine was flushed at about 30K, and about every 24K after that I drained and refilled it with as many quarts as would drain out.

Now at 102K, I'm going to have mine power flushed shortly, then do continue to do drain and refills every year or so, until 150K and have it flushed again.

 

[Robsbrd99]

I just got mine done with my local mechanic. The trans has a drain plug and after draining, he pumped the new fluid in through the same hole. Cost me $100. Expect to pay somewhere between $100-$125. The trans took 6 quarts of fluid. At 42k mine was quite dark. I would recommend doing the service.

 

[EasyRhino]

I just got mine done with my local mechanic. The trans has a drain plug and after draining, he pumped the new fluid in through the same hole. Cost me $100. Expect to pay somewhere between $100-$125. The trans took 6 quarts of fluid. At 42k mine was quite dark. I would recommend doing the service.

When I do a basic drain and fill I get out about 6-7 quarts, depending on how long I let it drain (closer to 7 if I let it drain overnight), which is about 1/2 of the total fluid in the tranny/torque converter. That's why I do this about every each 24K miles and do the power flush replacing all fluid every 50-75K miles or so. The basic drain and refill replenishes a lot of the essential components of the fluid and removes lots of contaminants entrained in the old oil.

Even the power flush cannot clean out every nook and cranny in a modern transmission.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Filter change vs fluid level check

Even though this forum is for 2002-2005 I'd like to comment on my 2000 Scheduled Maintenance Guide. It states to change the transmission fluid on all vehicles equipped with AX4S, AX4N, 4R70W, 4R100 and 4F27E every 30,000 miles. It states to change the filter on all transmissions and the fluid on my 5R55E at 150,000 miles. While I have not actually seen my transmission filter I suspect it is actually just a screen. Otherwise, it would have clogged at around 70,000 miles (I have 150,000) and caused shifting problems due to fluid starvation like my Tahoe and Volvo did.

I have decided that unless there has been mechanical failure (which would require a rebuild anyway) it is unnecessary to replace the transmission screen. However, I believe the fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles unless there is a remote fine particle filter installed. I suspect as mentioned on previous posts that most of the transmission failures after fluid/filter replacement are due to contamination when the pan is off and the internals are disturbed.

 

[Fox Fader]

I just got mine done with my local mechanic. The trans has a drain plug and after draining, he pumped the new fluid in through the same hole. Cost me $100. Expect to pay somewhere between $100-$125. The trans took 6 quarts of fluid. At 42k mine was quite dark. I would recommend doing the service.

That's what I paid to get a FULL flush done. Even for the going rate of $30 more, I'd pay it for a full flush.

 

[EasyRhino]

Even though this forum is for 2002-2005 I'd like to comment on my 2000 Scheduled Maintenance Guide. It states to change the transmission fluid on all vehicles equipped with AX4S, AX4N, 4R70W, 4R100 and 4F27E every 30,000 miles. It states to change the filter on all transmissions and the fluid on my 5R55E at 150,000 miles. While I have not actually seen my transmission filter I suspect it is actually just a screen. Otherwise, it would have clogged at around 70,000 miles (I have 150,000) and caused shifting problems due to fluid starvation like my Tahoe and Volvo did.

I have decided that unless there has been mechanical failure (which would require a rebuild anyway) it is unnecessary to replace the transmission screen. However, I believe the fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles unless there is a remote fine particle filter installed. I suspect as mentioned on previous posts that most of the transmission failures after fluid/filter replacement are due to contamination when the pan is off and the internals are disturbed.

I agree with most everything you said.

No tranny is a 'lifetime service-free unit', that is a bad idea that manufactureres came up with to sell cars (mostly to people that don't keep them long enough to break), as low maintenance.

Transmission fluid does require changing unless you change cars every few years, then you can ignore it.

You are right about the filter, it is little more than a glorified screen.