Transmission Maintenance - Fluid Change?

[Bill Kemp]

Thought it might be intresting to see if the people who are doing regular fluid & filter changes are also having transmission problems. Or if it is the neglected transmissions that are pukeing.

 

[DocVijay]

I changed my fluids according to the recommended schedule and it still crapped out at 38k miles.

 

[Alec]

Mine crapped out at 65k miles servicing it as Ford recommends. With my new one I'm gonna change the fluid and filter every 10-12 months.

 

[aldive]

I have had no problems with mine in 72k miles. I use Mobil 1 ATF and flush every 2 years. Its due for a flush now and I shall switch to Amsoil ATF. I also have an external filter; I change the external filter every 15k.

 

[addkev]

I flushed mine at 30k and at 60k I did a flush and filter change Around 65k, I started experiencing slippage from 2nd-3rd. I added a B&M shift kit and a B&M external filter kit and now I change my ext. filter with every oil change. I now have around 75k, and no problems since. (Knock on wood)

 

[aldive]

I would be interested in knowing what percentage of those with problems, drive the trucks HARD.

I have asked about 8 friends with auto Explorers if they have ever had tranny problems and all said no and most have never serviced the tranny; the common denominatorwas that none drove them hard.

 

[tbomb]

ive always changed my fuilds and filters religiously and never had a problem (91 X & 98 X.)

my mom has changed the tranny fluid and filter when its convenient and never had a problem (97 X, 99X, 02 X.)

my sister (20 year old girl whose response to this thread would be, "transmissions have fluid?") probably has never changed her tranny fluid (unless one of my parents had it done for her one day), and has blown 2 trannies - the 1st had about 65k on it, and the 2nd had about 45k on it (96 X.)

none of these trucks have been driven hard.

 

[jimbo74]

before my truck blew, i did all the maintenance religiously with a tranny pan drain and filter every 10k and starting when i got it with 60k on it... it had 110k on it before i blew up the engine, hydrolocked when wheeling... rolled 2 times in its life..... same tranny no problems.... i beat the crap out of it.... drive around in 1st in town to make the engine rev higher and make the exhuast louder... just hotrod all over the place... and the tranny works fine...... well it did when my engine blew......

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I changed the fluid and filter at 40K; transmission now has about 47K on it. No problems at all, and it has never been abused while I've owned it. I wonder if the new "microfiber" type filters have any affect on longevity?

 

[mrboyle]

My '92 has 200K on the origional tranny. The first 160K were easy, then I got it and have used it HARD since. It still works fine, but I can tell it is starting to slip from a dead start. I'm planning a 700R4 swap in the next month.

 

[DocVijay]

Well, just got the tranny pressurized flush at Pep Boys today. Taking a long drive this weekend up to Telluride, so we'll see if it makes a difference. So far it seems to shift a little smoother.

I also swapped the oil from Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic to Amsoil 0w30 synthetic. Engine idles much smoother.

 

[Silver X]

I haven't had any problems with my trans so far and I haven't changed the fluid or filter yet. Its a little overdue though, so I'm planning on changing it in the next week or so....or whenever I get the free time.

-Mike

 

[explorer4x493]

I lost my transmission at about 115k, and to be honest i rarely have the fluid changed. When is it recommended to be changed?

Also, is that pretty good life for a 5.0 tranny?

 

[Bill Kemp]

Starting at 60K I change the filter. Then once a yr. thereafter. Thats probably overdoing it but trans. are expensive to fix and IMO should last 200K.

 

[bhults]

I bought my truck used, and the previous owner had the trans re-built at 116K. I've got 132K on it now, and am planning to flush it sometime over the next 3 weeks. It runs perfect, but I'm told regular flushing/maintenance of the trans is key to it living a bit longer. The lady who owned it before me was old, and probably drove it pretty easy. I baby it too.

 

[agzaretzka]

Bought mine in April, and didn't notice until later that the OD drive was not working. Found broken anchor, band and dented drum. When replacing those, cleaned out everywhere I could, band material was everywhere, servos were full of it, etc. Back together, replaced fluid twice and installed aux filter. It's working great now!

 

[raginraj]

i pretty much follow the recommended maintenance schedule. of course my tranny has only 33k on it so it better have quite a bit of life left in it. i figure that the day i start noticing tranny problems (like slippage from a dead stop) i'll decrease the interval between maintenance myself.

 

[Carnival]

I change the fliud every 30K the lazy way ( pump it out the radiator feed line, approx 12 qts ). Only changed the filter at 65K. I've been using quaker state 4x4 synth blend and after 150k the EX still shifts perfectly. Maybe I owe it to preventitive maintanance or just plain luck since I really abuse this truck.

 

[ajrn]

Carnival

It sounds like you're taking a line off the tranny cooler, and letting the transmission "puke" it out..

Do you drop the pan and change the filter, when you're done, or have you just been doing fluid changes??

I'm getting ready to do an ATF change on my girlfriend's 99.. And had considered dropping the pan, after "ejecting" the fluid that way..

Any hints would be appreciated..

AJ RN

 

[Critical_Level2]

I get my trans flushed and change the filter every 30k miles. I figure why take chances, and also a friend of mine works at a shop where they have a tranny flush machine so All I pay is for the trans fluid and he does it for me (but I have to help).