Switching to synthetic trany fluid.

[just4fun]

Can anybody tell me if there is anything I should be concerned about switching to synthetic transmission fluid. My ’98 explorer xlt, SOHC V6, 5 speed has 52,000 miles and I think this will be the second fluid change. I'm going to have a shop use a machine that sucks all the fluid out and replaces it with the new fluid, filter will be changed too. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Dennis

 

[aldive]

I am a firm believer in synthetic fluids.

I see NO reason why not to switch to synthetic.

Why pay to have it done? Its a simple DIY job ( 15 min ).

Good luck.....

 

[just4fun]

Al, how do you go about getting all the old fluid out yourself?
Dennis

 

[spindlecone]

I had mine power flushed at 7K miles and filled with RP took 12 QTS, the entire process was not cheap but I feel will be a one time deal, do not dougbt you Al, but 15 minutes DIY?

 

[Rhett]

I suggest you search this site; it has all of that info.

I would NOT have one of those shops use a pump machine on your transmission. Not if you value your transmission, that is. Shop pumps suck fluid out and pump it in at higher pressures than your transmission is used to seeing. I have seen this mess up seals in the transmission, and it leaks and weeps after these "treatments". Plus the fact that the shop may not get ALL of the fluid out. If you DIY you will know that it was done properly and safely. Best method is to do it using a low pressure method (which you can do yourself with some milk jugs and 15-20 quarts of synthetic ATF).

 

[aldive]

Al, how do you go about getting all the old fluid out yourself?
Dennis

I disconnected the "to transmission" hose from my remote filter housing. I plugged and clamped the disconnected line and added and hose clamped a 6 ft length of 3/8? line to the housing. The other end went into a calibrated water jug ( 1 gal size ).

We used 15 quarts of Amsoil ATF.

Even though this ATF ( Mobil 1 ) has about 40 k miles on it, it still looked remarkably good, slightly darker in color.

After the flush/fill was completed, I added a new K & N filter to the housing and reattached the hoses.

The procedure took my son and I about 20 minutes to complete. There was no mess since we were well prepared for the flush; nary a drop was spilled.

 

[aldive]

I, do not dougbt you Al, but 15 minutes DIY?

The above post was from a post about the first time I did it. Now it takes 15 min or less and is so clean you could do it in a tux.

 

[spindlecone]

Since I quit smokin Cannot get into my Tux,AAmco owns me

 

[Premier]

5 speed, as in manual? What about using regular oil?

 

[Jefe]

FYI: On your '98 you should be running Mercron V which IS synthetic.

 

[spindlecone]

Mercon V is not Syn, is semi syn

 

[aldive]

FYI: On your '98 you should be running Mercron V which IS synthetic.

Synthetic ATF such as Amsoil is Merc V compatible.

From Amsoil website....

Recommended for applications requiring the following specifications:

GM; Dexron II, Dexron III (GM 6297M, 6417M)
Ford; Mercon, Mercon V
Chrysler; ATF+ through ATF+4
Allison; C-3 & C-4
Caterpillar; TO-2 & TO-3
Voith G1363
ZF; TE-ML-14C
Honda; Z-1
Mitsubishi Diamond SP II & III
GM Strasbourg (European Imports) and Opel
Toyota; Type T and T-IV
Vickers I 286S & M2950S

 

[Jefe]

Mercon V is not Syn, is semi syn

Oh, my bad. Why is it so dang expensive then?

 

[aldive]

Oh, my bad. Why is it so dang expensive then?

Merc V is a specification, not a n ATF.

 

[lsky17]

Mobil 1

Do not use mobil 1 in your newer explorers... Mobil 1 ATF does NOT meet Mercon V specs, and you will trash your tranny... Amsoil, and Royal Purple both have Mercon V approved ATF's... personally I would go with Amsoil and not have to change again for 90,000 miles.

 

[aldive]

Do not use mobil 1 in your newer explorers... Mobil 1 ATF does NOT meet Mercon V specs, and you will trash your tranny... Amsoil, and Royal Purple both have Mercon V approved ATF's... personally I would go with Amsoil and not have to change again for 90,000 miles.

I ran Mobil 1 for 50k miles in my 99 with no problems whatsoever.

 

[RickOTR]

Been using Mobil 1 ATF since I bought the X new and it now has 140K. I flush the tranny ever 30K including changing K&N filter and have had no problems.

 

[cjbarron5]

I suggest you search this site; it has all of that info.

I would NOT have one of those shops use a pump machine on your transmission. Not if you value your transmission, that is. Shop pumps suck fluid out and pump it in at higher pressures than your transmission is used to seeing. I have seen this mess up seals in the transmission, and it leaks and weeps after these "treatments". Plus the fact that the shop may not get ALL of the fluid out. If you DIY you will know that it was done properly and safely. Best method is to do it using a low pressure method (which you can do yourself with some milk jugs and 15-20 quarts of synthetic ATF).

well...........yes and no most flushes like that use the tranny pump to move fluid out while sucking fluid in at the same time so there is no damage to the tranny

 

[cjbarron5]

you cannot use merc 5 in a tranny not designed for it becouse of the coating they put on the parts and the clutch material

 

[just4fun]

Thank you

Thank you all for all the info, I'm going to try to do it myself and I'm going to use AMSOIL synthetic trans oil, I'm also going to try to install a secondary filter if only i can find a good place to install it, any suggestions?
Again thank you,
Dennis