Tranny flush vs. Dropping pan

[Positive Vibes]

I want to get my tranny fluid changed. I talked with the mechanic and the two options are flush it which he recommends or dropping the pan. I thought I read somewhere that pressurizing the tranny system could cause gaskets to blow or start to leak. What does everyone else do? What do you guys think? Thanks!

 

[BradE.]

The full tranny flush is the best because it changes ALL the fluid, not just 4 or 5 quarts. Get the flush.

 

[aldive]

In the best case, its recommended to drop the pan and chamge the filter. Followed by the addition of an external filter. Finally a complete flush.

Use synthetic ATF.

Good luck.....

 

[Positive Vibes]

aldive:

So even with 150k miles on the original tranny you think I should go to synthetics??

I'm not going to add the extra filter yet. I have to many other projects going on.

 

[aldive]

Thats a tough call' I might do it but others will say not to. However, I would add the external filter asap.

Good luck.....

 

[Alec]

I think it's best to drop the pan and change the filter, then flush it. Just doing a flush doesn't change the tranny filter, and that's what crapped my tranny out the first time, a really old filter.

 

[Positive Vibes]

They are suppose to change the filter when they do a flush. So if I understand correctly most of you would lean towards dropping the pan and cleaning it then doing a full flush. I don't think I will go to synthetics.

 

[mikeh]

I would flush and then drop the pan. Yes, you waste 4 quarts of good ATF but you get everything cleaned up really good.

mikeh

 

[mattadams]

hey hey I agree with aldive! heh heh. When I did the tranny drop and filter change on my f-150's tranny, I was only able to get about 6-7 quarts out of a 14 quart transmission, if I had to do it over again I'd take it to a tranny shop or some trustworthy libe shop (not just a grease monkey or jiffy lube) and have them drop the pan, change the filter, then do a whole flush and replace everything.
Also, when you drop the pan, you can clean the crummies off the magnet in there and its easier to inspect for obvious tranny damage (i.e. metal shavings, etc.). That magnet in there gets REALLY dirty even if your tranny is working fine!

 

[Opera House]

Ahhhhh... but which filter?

The filter for the newer 5R55E also retrofits back to the older A4LD transmission and the pan gasket is the same. The newer filter has the MicroFelt element PA66% GF33% instead of the older metal screen. The new filter is physically 50% larger but it is also a folded over design so the filter area is three times what it was. SPX/Filtran recommends this same filter for A4LD through 5R55E. You might as well put something in that can filter. $22 at AutoZone $10 at bulkpart.com for the American made oem by SPX.

The external filter makes the flush easy. Worth doing just for that.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Thanks for the input and feedback.

I talked with the tranny guy who has been in buisness since 1959. He said he see's not benefit from flushing. Say's that all the crap in your torque converter adhere's to the sides so flushing is won't do get the crud off. He also says he thinks he can drain 90% of the tranny fluid. Not sure how?? What do you people think about this?

 

[BradE.]

I would strongly disagree, there is a major advantages to flushing the Tranny.

 

[Positive Vibes]

BradE.: Could you explain why? Any info would be great that way I don't look like and idiot when talking with the mechanic.

 

[socky3850]

When I had my 5R55E rebuilt a couple of months ago at 90K miles, the rebuilder told me not to have the tranny flushed. I don't remember the reason that he gave to me but he recommended dropping the pan and changing the filter every 30K as a maintenance strategy. My trans had been flushed at 30K and 60K miles by a Ford dealer but that didn't seem to help its longevity. I'll probably just go with my rebuilders recommendation in the future.

 

[aldive]

That tranny man is full of do do; find another asap.

Good luck.....

 

[BradE.]

Well, a full tranny flush changes ALL the fluid and not just a portion. If you mix brand new fluid with old nasty fluid you are not doing anything but contaminating the new stuff.

Plus the flush will remove any particles and debris and other harmful crap in the lines that could filter down and cause extra wear of the internal parts of the tranny. Just dropping the pan won't do this. The more crap you can get out of the Tranny the less wear it will cause.

Explorer trannys are not know for being reliable, the best thing you can do for them is get a tranny flush often. A buddy of mine, who used to be a Ford Tech, said he would probably do a flush every 30K miles on the Exlporer trannys just to be safe. As they say, better be safe than sorry.

I think aldive is right, your tranny man is full of doo doo.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Well like I said he's been in business since '59 so he believes in the old school approach. I really love this board! Thanks for the input. My plan is having him drop the pan, clean it, drain the systema and clean the magnet the best he can then just take to a jiffy lube type place watch over thier shoulder and get it flushed. Then consider the extra filter. Thanks people!!!

 

[aldive]

I wouldn't let that idiot wipe buggs off my numper.

Get a pandrop and flush somewhere else.

Ifyou add an external filter, changing the internal one is a thing of the past.

 

[tbomb]

when i get off my lazy ass one of these days, im gonna install one of those "tranny pan plugs" and just change as much fluid as i can at a closer interval (and maybe install an external filter.)

 

[aldive]

With an external filter, every time you change the filter, you change a quart of ATF . It also adds a quart to the system.