to flush or not to flush?

[LONO100]

hey fellas, havent been able to contribute much to the EF this summer because work has been killing me. havent gone camping one time this summer, what a travesty! but im finally on a week and a half vacation just getting stuff done around the house and im finally going to do my 100k tune up.

one thing ive been waffling on the fence about is whether to do a full tranny flush from a specialist, or to just replace the filter and refill. ive read all of the higly debated threads about whether to full service or not, and it seems like the consensus is if your flush is long overdue, than simply replacing the filter is the best move, but if you have been getting it flushed as recommended, to stay with that route.

my dilemma is at 101k, my trac is on the brink of either being on time or too late. also, when i bought the truck from a ford dealership back in late 2010 i think it was, the truck had 60k miles on it, and when i went over their inspection of list, i believe "transmission service" was listed. im not even sure what they meant by that. they could have done a flush, or they could have just looked at the dipstick.

so what should i do!? get it flushed, or just change the filter? btw, i have a job 2 explorer with the 5r55e tranny.

other things im doing for the 100k tune up include:

- oil change
- plugs and wires replacement
- brake pads front and rear
- MAF, air filter and throttle body cleaning
- tire rotation
- suspension inspection (bushings, boots)
- cb antenna replacement
- armrest repair (finally broke it!)
- check belts and other wear parts

thanks again fellas!

 

[05dakotatrac]

the whole transmission uses close 10/10.5 quarts that is every drop in there. when doing the pan drop and filter replacement you tend to replace anywhere from 4-5 quarts on average.

my suggestion is pull the trans dipstick give it a sniff if it smells burnt or is brown in color. then do a pan drop and filter change. on the other hand if you have clean red colored and non burnt smelling fluid i would do a full power flush.

reason being typically an automatic trans that has brown burnt smelling fluid fails after a complete fluid transfer. as goofy as it sounds that fluid with metallic flake and broke down clutch pack material is what clutches the packs and allows shifts. with new fluid the detergents in it clean this "friction fluid/material" from the packs and in turn cause slipping of gears.

so.... if clean on the stick full fluid, if dirty/smelly pan/filter drop

 

[LONO100]

thanks for the perspective! sounds like a good route to take. antyone else like to chime in?

 

[IAmTodd]

When I had my auto I disconnected the output line from the cooler and allowed it to pump out fluid while I added fluid in the dipstick tube. It takes a bit of finesse and sometimes helps to have someone else to run the key. Pump it out until the fluid runs clean.

A pressure flush is a bad idea but this method is much better and an easier way to change ALL of the fluid at once.

 

[05dakotatrac]

yeh pressure flush is the standard way an auto shop does it i have never had luck with that style tends to "blow-up" trans. i agree on the inline process. or you can do the pan drop

 

[5.0Kevin]

I've replaced the filter and then used the "disconnect the return line and add clean fluid as old stuff is pumped out until it's clear" method IAmTodd mentioned on both of my 97's with the 4r70w. You end up with nice clean fluid and I don't see it putting any of the stress a power flush may/may not put on your trans.

note: Not that I've ever done the powerflush or have anything for/against it, but I do like this method

 

[swshawaii]

I'm fortunate enough to have a very small local Ford dealer with reasonable pricing. Complete transmission service $199 including 20 quarts of Motorcraft Mercon V, OEM filter, and gasket. Service tech used a BG PF5 machine that has no power or forced pressure, and uses the vehicles transmission pump to completely exchange fluid. Figuring the cost of 20 quarts of fluid and parts alone, almost broke even on labor with a guarantee, while I stayed clean. Additves not used.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jQJyln8hmY

 

[obie]

Just did mine at the Ford dealership too. For what it's worth, Ford considers the trans fluid in the 5R55E "lifetime" so flushing at 90-110K will be fine. Didn't do gasket or filter though. After the first 100K flush, I would recommend doing the next ones at around 50-75K intervals, depending on type of use. You offroad a lot, so I would say 50-60K. Our trucks have primary and secondary trans coolers as well, so that definitely helps extend transmission fluid life as well.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

When I had my auto I disconnected the output line from the cooler and allowed it to pump out fluid while I added fluid in the dipstick tube. It takes a bit of finesse and sometimes helps to have someone else to run the key. Pump it out until the fluid runs clean.

A pressure flush is a bad idea but this method is much better and an easier way to change ALL of the fluid at once.

The Aerostar guys over on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum swear by this method, and seriously frown on power flushes.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I've always just replaced fluid and filter. The best transmission shop here refused to do a total flush and told me to just change the filter and fluid.

I'm well overdue for another change of all of my drivetrain fluids as all of them have river water and mud in them from the two river crossings I did last spring (one of which was higher then the hood).

 

[LONO100]

thanks fellas, im gonna get this taken care of tomorrow as i have my first off road trip of the summer friday morning going into monday.

i will be giving the fluid a check first thing in the morning and making a decision on which route to take. i think im leaning toward replacing all of the fluid and filter using the method mentioned my todd and 429cj.