tranny fluid replace and flush

[spotted dogs]

Any advice as to tranny fluid...do I go synthetic or not. Last time it was in the shop they inspected the fluid and said it was getting dirty and recommended a flush and a new filter...are they just looking for $$$ or is this a legit job? They quoted me almost 200$ cdn for the job. any tips would be great, thanks,
peter

 

[Raceit]

I don't have any advise on the sync v. dino. But there are different types of flushes.

Most instant oil changes will only "flush" the fluid and still charge like 80 bucks. I found a local shop that will actuall drop the pan and replace the filter for the same amount. Plus it's nice to have the pan removed and have the mechanic (or yourself) actually look around in there.

Good luck!

 

[aldive]

I am a strong believer in synthetic ATF; I use Mobil 1 in my '99. I have never had any tranny problems in 62k miles,

To completely change, more is required ( as om a complete flush )than a simple pan drop.

It is a good idea to drop the pan to change the internal filter and then do a complete change.

Another suggestion is to add an external filter at the same time. This provides excellent filtration with an easy to xhange, spin on filter as well as affing 1 additional quart of ATF.

Good luck.....

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Don't the 5 speed auto trans use Mercon V? If so, then you already have semi-synthetic. No need to run full synthetic.
I put a drain plug in the pans of both my vehicles and make it a habit of changing the fluid every year and the filter every other year. 245,000 kilometers on the X with no problems so far.
Make it a habit of changing the fluid on a regular schedule and you shouldn't have any problems.

Good luck.

 

[RTStork]

Here is the post I made on another thread on how to change the ATF:
Changing the fluid is easy. Here's how I did it:
I disconnected the upper transmission line going into the cooler inside the radiator. I then slipped a rubber hose over the end of the connector on the upper transmission line and route it to a bucket which I already had marked in 1 qt increments. I then started the engine and the fluid pumped into the bucket. At the first sign of the flow starting to back off, I shut the engine off. By shutting it off as soon as flow slowed down, there is no damage to the transmission pump. Now that the transmission fluid is pumped out you have the option of removing the pan and changing the filter. The filter is just a metal screen and every time I have looked at it it didnt have anything on it, so its up to you whether or not to change it. I personally am not going to remove the pan anymore. Your best bet is to use a external oil filter, which will actually filter smaller particles. Reconnect the upper transmission line and add the exact amount of ATF that you pumped out and you are done. Removing the pan only gets out about 4 qts, so this is a great way to get all the fluid out without paying a place $75-$100. Since you may get all of the ATF out or there may be a 1/2 qt left in the transmission, I recommend marking a bucket in 1 qt increments and when the flow starts to stop, shut off the engine. Its the safest way to prevent damaging the transmission. Since every last drop will not pump out, I would go by when the flow starts to stop rather than waiting on a specific amount to come out. This is just my extra precaution to prevent damage. Let us know how it goes.

 

[rrengineer]

I bought my XL with 49k miles on it and didn't change the tranny fluid until 85k. I had a local Texaco station change it. They connected into the cooler lines at the radiator, both in and out, and pumped new fluid in and scavenged the old brown fluid until the color changed back to bright red, about 6 quarts. Then they checked the level. They said that this was the only way to circulate the fluid from within the converter. So they say (like I was able to watch them work their magic). Their charges were right at $100 (US).

Less than 5k later the first band began to slip when shifted from park for the first time each day. Once I revved the motor it caught and I was able to drive away.

Now that I am doing an engine (another column) I am also going to do the tranny. An ounce of prevention is worth 400 pounds of cure when pulling the engine and tranny again in a few months.

FYI: Ford wants $1600 and Checker wants $1350 for rebuilt A4LD.

So...what type of filters are being used externally to filter the tranny fluid?

I plan on using aftermarket clutch packs, springs and what not. It looks like I already have a torque converter with the brazed fins (best choice).

Anyone have ideas as to the Ford specific tools I will need to rebuild an A4LD?

I am also looking for a service manual should anyone know of one that is available for sale.

Any other suggestions, hints or comments? I welcome all the help the I can get.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by rrengineer
. I had a local Texaco station change it. They connected into the cooler lines at the radiator, both in and out, and pumped new fluid in and scavenged the old brown fluid until the color changed back to bright red, about 6 quarts. Then they checked the level. They said that this was the only way to circulate the fluid from within the converter. So they say (like I was able to watch them work their magic). Their charges were right at $100 (US).

So...what type of filters are being used externally to filter the tranny fluid?

If they only changed 6 quarts, you were had my friend.

I use either Pur 1 or Mobil 1 filters as my external ATF filter.

Good luck.....

 

[Speedfreak]

Pumping the tranny dry is not a good idea, the cooler lines get thier oil directly from the convertor, cool it and then send it back into the tranny as component lube. If your have all of your fluid going into a bucket then you have no lubrication going to the transmission. That is a great recipe for failure for a tranny that is already horrible.

If your tranny fluid is not cherry red then have a shop flush it for you. If it is nice and clean then drop the pan, replace the filter and top up the fluid level. $200Can sounds alittle high unless thier doing a complete power flush, blowing out the cooler and lines and changing the filter.

The cooler acts like a filter and must be reverse flushed, other wise all the crap that builds up in it will destroy your tranny.

Synthetics are great for extreme temperature protection, so if you feel that you are likely to run your tranny quite hot for extended periods of time like in a towing or off-road situation then look into investing in then. If that isn't what you do then stay with the recommended tranny oil.

 

[RTStork]

Originally posted by Speedfreak
Pumping the tranny dry is not a good idea, the cooler lines get thier oil directly from the convertor, cool it and then send it back into the tranny as component lube. If your have all of your fluid going into a bucket then you have no lubrication going to the transmission. That is a great recipe for failure for a tranny that is already horrible.

I agree. That is exactly why I stressed the importance of shutting off the engine as soon as the flow slows down. You will get almost all of the fluid out and no damage to the transmission. Your other option is to pay a place $75-$100 to do it. By all means, if someone is not comfortable doing this themselves, I recommend taking it to a shop. Another variation is to pump out 6 qts, shutoff the engine, fill with 6 qts of fresh ATF, start engine and pump out 6 more qts, etc. If you do this 3 times, you will use 18 qts of fresh fluid and ensure a complete flush.

 

[aldive]

How much ATF do YOU think the system holds?

 

[RTStork]

Originally posted by aldive
How much ATF do YOU think the system holds?

My manual lists the ATF capacity for the 5.0 as 13.9qts, the 4.0 two wheel drive as 10qts, and the 4.0 four wheel drive as 10.3qts, but since this method will work on most vehicles with automatic transmissions, I just pump the old ATF out untill the flow starts to stop. You wont get every drop out so theres no use looking for an exact amount to come out. Now, if you use the 6qt method, by running 18 qts through the system, that is more than enough to make sure all the old is flushed out.

 

[aldive]

Seems too risky to me.

Why not use two buckets; one filled with the 10 quarts of new ATF and the other empty ? There will be a consyant flow.

 

[RTStork]

I've heard of that variation also. They are several ways to do it, so each person should choose the way that him/her likes best. Thanks for your comments Al.

 

[fastgn]

DID you know there is a drain plug in the converter????
I drained about 5 quarts out ot the converter. Then I pulled the pan. What a mess!!!! I changed the filter (the pioneer brand is wrong get the Wix) I had to add 11 quarts to fill the trans back up. Next time I will pay someone or buy a lift. I think getting 11 quarts out is pretty good it it only holds 13.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by fastgn
Then I pulled the pan. What a mess!!!! I changed the filter (the pioneer brand is wrong get the Wix) I had to add 11 quarts to fill the trans back up.

What do you mean a mess? Prior to this change, when was it last changed?

Thanks.....