Transmission Fluid Change Can lead to a tranny Fail ?

[dect]

Hi, i've just buy an Explorer Sport 2001 low mileage , about 55 k , i wanted to service the transmission on a local Ford Service Shop , and they toll me that if the transmission had no problems at all is better to keep it just like that , cause the fluid change can lead to a failing condition , may be to a costly repair , could that be true ?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! It's true that new fluid has detergents which could loosen up sludge, and clog things up, but using old fluid which is dirty could clog things up eventually. Replace the filter, and reuse the old fluid if you are afraid to use new fluid. 55K miles on the old fluid is old, but not terrible, so I think that you could use new fluid in there without a problem.

 

[tjsxplodr]

I've heard this too. I have a 5 speed so no worries there, but yeah, the detergents can loosen things up that shouldn't be and cause damage.

 

[daisyrocky]

Well, I've did the first fluid flush on my 95 since I own and it lead me into rebuilding my first tranny. OD started flashing right away, lost the 2-3 gear shifting, VB replacement, shift soleniods and disappearing tranny fluids and troubles ever since. In my opinion, just change the fluids and not flush it if possible. I'm ready to rebuild the thing again because of the shifting problems.

 

[Potomac30]

I dropped the pan and changed the filter and 4 quarts at 55,000. Did it again at 80,000 with a fluid exchange through the tranny cooler hose, and have done it again since plus added an inline filter at the cooler; all with no problems what so ever. One of the better discussions on changing fluid on a high mileage car can be found here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244309&page=2

55K really isn't high mileage, and like poster High_Order1 says, most of the problems with filter and fluid changes are human error.