Transmission fluid change clarification

[emfjsullivan]

I've read about changing the xmission fluid on the Explorer Maintenance website (Dead Link Removed) and had a ?: They talk about disconnecting the return hose from the xmission cooler and putting on a new length of tube which will go into a bucket. The new fluid will then be put in via the filler tube.

The ?s I have for my '98 XLT 4x4 are:
1. what about the other side of the connection of of the return line that you just disconnected? By this I mean, when you disconnect a hose/tube, you now have two openings, and the discussions only seem to address one of the openings. So how do I plug the other side of the return tube?
2. When it's all done, how do I gracefully remove the temporary tube w/o spilling any tranny fluid?

I must be missing something so any enlightenment will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Robert]

When I did my '97 I removed the tube from my auxillary cooler to my transmission (at the cooler). I stuck a small bolt in the end (about 3/8") and wrapped a zip-tie around it to plug it off. On the metal pipe coming out of my cooler, I put a 12" piece of 3/8" tubing and put the other end into a bucket that I marked in 1 quart increments. I started up my Explorer and shut the engine off as soon as one 1 quart was drained into the bucket. I poored a new quart into the fill hole. I kept doing this until the fluid coming out of the cooler was as clean as the fluid I was pooring in.

 

[emfjsullivan]

Ah, now that makes sense. I thought this had to be done but wasn't sure why nobody ever mentioned that detail for completeness.

Did you have much fluid loss when you took the bolt out and your 12" of tubing and connected everything back together? Just wondering if I need an extra quart or two for "cleanup".

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Robert]

You'll need extra fluid just becaue you can't do a 1 for 1 swap. For example, my transfer case calls for 10 quarts. It took me 19 quarts before the fluid was coming out nice and red. Six quarts of my fluid had 80K miles on it and the other 4 only had 30K so that is probably why mine looked as dark as it did. Just disconnec the hoses over the bucket. Don't be as concerned with what comes out as to what you put in. Just fill it up to the full line when it is all said and done. Go for a drive and then recheck it and add more if necessary.