Transmission fluid flush

[kyleb617]

I recently checked my fluid and its black, I know it should be red and i was recommended i get a transmission flush, are they worth it? Ive been reading that it could be bad for your transmission but i need some help from you guys, i love my explorer and would hate to see anything happen to it! So just need some guidence on this maintence issue, thanks for whoever answers, merry xmas!

 

[SoNic67]

I would just drop the transmission pan and change the filter. Fill it back with the proper fluid.
I would not "flush"-it at a regular shop, since that it can dislodge "things" in the transmission and be worse.
I did it o one of my Fords and improved the shifting. Of course, some of the old oil will still be there, but the new, clean filter should improve the situation.

 

[imp]

........ Of course, some of the old oil will still be there, but the new, clean filter should improve the situation.

Actually, "some" is quite a bit, as the torque converter holds darn near half the oil in the damn transmission. So, if the T.C. has a drain plug (some do, some don't, according to the Ford Shop Manual), let that nasty old oil out of there, too. It may be necessary to remove the starter motor to access the drain plug. imp

 

[kyleb617]

So nobody recommends that i get a flush? Just get my transmission oil pan and filter changed?

 

[crunchie_frog]

Black fluid, to me, is not a good sign. Does it smell burnt? Has there been any slipping when shifting? I would do more than just drop the pan and change the fluid and filter, at least drain the torque converter, as imp suggests and hope for the best.

Below is from the Ford Repair Manual relative to the drain plug for the torque converter. I do not know why flushing the cooler as the Ford manual says below is a bad thing, maybe not cheap, but I would think flushing the cooler might be called for if you have a black color with any small solids at all.

Remove torque converter housing plug.
8. Remove the torque converter drain plug and drain the torque converter.
2000
 Rotate the crankshaft to access the drain plug.
9. Clean and inspect the transmission fluid pan, gasket and magnet.
10. Flush the fluid cooler tubes. For additional information, refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler —
Backflushing and Cleaning in this section.
Installation
1. NOTE: A new torque converter drain plug must be used.
Install the torque converter drain plug.
2. Install the torque converter housing plug.

 

[ranger7ltr]

This only applies to the V8 Explorer 4R70W tranny...

Black fluid, to me, is not a good sign. Does it smell burnt? Has there been any slipping when shifting? I would do more than just drop the pan and change the fluid and filter, at least drain the torque converter, as imp suggests and hope for the best.

Below is from the Ford Repair Manual relative to the drain plug for the torque converter. I do not know why flushing the cooler as the Ford manual says below is a bad thing, maybe not cheap, but I would think flushing the cooler might be called for if you have a black color with any small solids at all.

Remove torque converter housing plug.
8. Remove the torque converter drain plug and drain the torque converter.
2000
 Rotate the crankshaft to access the drain plug.
9. Clean and inspect the transmission fluid pan, gasket and magnet.
10. Flush the fluid cooler tubes. For additional information, refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler —
Backflushing and Cleaning in this section.
Installation
1. NOTE: A new torque converter drain plug must be used.
Install the torque converter drain plug.
2. Install the torque converter housing plug.

As the 4.0 lter running the 5R55E tranny has no torque convertor drain plug...Unfortunate as it is this tranny did not have the foresight to grow a drain plug...The only way to remove the fluid inside the torque convertor is to either flush the tranny, drain and refill over time, or drain the fluid from the cooler lines and refill until the fluid coming out of the cooler line looks redder..

 

[SoNic67]

Explorer 99 XLT = V6. That's why I suggested just to drop the pan - no converter plug.
After changing the transmission filter you could add a supplementary filter on the cooler lines - but that is a delicate operation too.

 

[Joe Dirt]

How do we know he doesn't have a V8?

 

[Blee1099]

Explorer 99 XLT = V6. That's why I suggested just to drop the pan - no converter plug.
After changing the transmission filter you could add a supplementary filter on the cooler lines - but that is a delicate operation too.

Not necessarily... XLT was just a trim line that was available for both V6 & V8models. With that said, doing a power flush using a machine could be detrimental to your transmission cause the power used to push new fluid in could break loose any deposits/etc. You could do the manual vacuum & re-fill then add a secondary filter.

 

[UtahX]

I had the tranny flush and replaced with synthetic, no problems at all. Helped shifting quite abit.

 

[kyleb617]

How much did thAt cost you Utah? Also were did you go?

 

[safn1949]

I have done the flushes personally with a BG machine and had both of my Explorers done,the 2000 at 175,000 and the 94 at 120,000.Then I took the 94 with the POS tranny they have to Moab for a week of 4 wheeling on class 3-4 trails and back home,a 3000 mile trip.

That was over 20,000 miles and almost 2 years ago.So to say it will harm the tranny is absolute nonsense in my opinion,according to some here I should be on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck.And its 10 F outside and they both work fine.

 

[L.A.X]

How can I flush from the cooler lines at home?

 

[AP9]

How can I flush from the cooler lines at home?

Something along the lines of the procedure listed here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/at1.html

 

[my98nnj]

The trans cooler line on top of the radiator on the driver side is the line you'll use to flush. Remove it and attach a rubber hose to the end and send it into a gallon container. Plug the radiator end. Start the engine and it will pump a gallon out, then shut down and refill. Repeat a few times if you want a total flush. It's very easy to do.

 

[Robman]

Get a Transmission "Transfusion" .. + a filter change. I would also recommend using FULL synthetic oil. A transfusion pumps oil in and takes oil out with the engine running and the trans flowing. a "flush" actually pumps things in reverse and isn't that great of an idea.