First oil change -- ouch

[BigCars4Ever]

Iv'e been changing oil on my vics and marquis for years now but the Marauder oil filter takes the cake. So much so that I ordered a relocation kit for the filter this morning. I plan to relocate the filter to the frame. The kit was about $55 shiped. The other thing I did was instal a Fumoto oil drain valve. I hate having to deal with hot drain plugs. With these two improvements oil changes should take only 5 minutes with no tools required.

The next improvement is to add the Ford transmission pan with dran valve. About $50 from Ford. I'll swap out three or four quarts of trany fluid every oil change to keep things fresh between flushes.

[MENINBLK]

Iv'e been changing oil on my vics and marquis for years now but the Marauder oil filter takes the cake. So much so that I ordered a relocation kit for the filter this morning. I plan to relocate the filter to the frame. The kit was about $55 shiped. The other thing I did was instal a Fumoto oil drain valve. I hate having to deal with hot drain plugs. With these two improvements oil changes should take only 5 minutes with no tools required.

The next improvement is to add the Ford transmission pan with dran valve. About $50 from Ford. I'll swap out three or four quarts of trany fluid every oil change to keep things fresh between flushes.

The tranny will still need a complete flush at least every 15,000 - 20,000 miles.
Changing 4 quarts at a time still doesn't cut it, but its better than doing nothing at all.

[O's Fan Rich]

Heck, for the 30 bucks they charge at the F/ LM dealer, I don't change mine.
As far as the tranny, I had them do the total flush and change at 18k, it's soon time to have them do it again, 37k.
Think I'll get the brake fluid all flushed out and changed at the same time... thanks for the reminder!!!

[RoyLPita]

The oil filter location isn't in a bad place if you are used to changing your own oil in a older framed Panther platform vehicle. Nowadays, you can order an oil filter drain piece so the oil won't get on the crossmember and power steering rack.

Just my .02 and then some.

[BigCars4Ever]

The tranny will still need a complete flush at least every 15,000 - 20,000 miles.
Changing 4 quarts at a time still doesn't cut it, but its better than doing nothing at all.
I still plan to do the flush this is just some extra protection between flushes.

[BigCars4Ever]

Heck, for the 30 bucks they charge at the F/ LM dealer, I don't change mine.
As far as the tranny, I had them do the total flush and change at 18k, it's soon time to have them do it again, 37k.
Think I'll get the brake fluid all flushed out and changed at the same time... thanks for the reminder!!!
I like to do whatever work I can myself. No one is going to take more time and care with my car than me. The remote filter will make oil changes easy and clean and it will let me use a FL-1A filter that is much easier to find at walmart than the "no longer carried" FL-820S. Plus the FL-1A has more filter area and capacity. When you use synthetic the oil alone is $30, there's no way I could pay the dealer price for a synthetic change.

[wchain]

I like to do whatever work I can myself. No one is going to take more time and care with my car than me. The remote filter will make oil changes easy and clean and it will let me use a FL-1A filter that is much easier to find at walmart than the "no longer carried" FL-820S. Plus the FL-1A has more filter area and capacity. When you use synthetic the oil alone is $30, there's no way I could pay the dealer price for a synthetic change.


Does the FL-1A have the Silicone Anti Drainback valve? Better check to see if that affects the warranty.........

[RF Overlord]

The Motorcraft FL-1A does not have a silicone ADBV...but one isn't necessary unless the filter is mounted 45° or more from vertical.

[jgc61sr2002]

Installing a transmission pan with a drain plug is an excellent idea. Most foriegn cars have one. IMO if you change the trans fluid on a regular basis a total flush is unnecessary.

[MENINBLK]

Installing a transmission pan with a drain plug is an excellent idea. Most foriegn cars have one. IMO if you change the trans fluid on a regular basis a total flush is unnecessary.

And where did you get this brilliant idea from ?

A Flush entails flushing the Oil Cooler and the Cooling Lines.
You don't get these when you drop the pan and change out 4 quarts, do you ?

[RF Overlord]

Installing a transmission pan with a drain plug is an excellent idea. IMO if you change the trans fluid on a regular basis a total flush is unnecessary.

I agree with John^^^...as long as the fluid isn't burnt or contaminated.

[BigCars4Ever]

Does the FL-1A have the Silicone Anti Drainback valve? Better check to see if that affects the warranty.........
My warranty has expired (36,500) and the filter will now be mounted verticle as they should be.

[jgc61sr2002]

And where did you get this brilliant idea from ?

A Flush entails flushing the Oil Cooler and the Cooling Lines.
You don't get these when you drop the pan and change out 4 quarts, do you ?



The oil guru agrees. :D Thanks RF :up:

[Marauderman]

use a FL-1A filter that is much easier to find at walmart than the "no longer carried" FL-820S. .

............am I to understand that the "FL-820S" filter is no longer going to be available...and if so..what is it's replacement ????...I don't think the FL-1A is ..is it????? anyone.........

[BigCars4Ever]

............am I to understand that the "FL-820S" filter is no longer going to be available...and if so..what is it's replacement ????...I don't think the FL-1A is ..is it????? anyone.........
It's not discontinued but the Walmarts around here don't carry them anymore. Not sure why cause while I was checking every shelf tag where a motorcraft filter should be two other customers came by also looking for that filter. They must make more money on the Fram PH2 which they had plenty on hand. I'd reuse my Motorcraft filter before I use a Fram POS.

[Digital Man]

I've had 3 oil changes. The last one I had to replace my drain plug due to worn threads. My mechanic told me it was a Ford thing and that it was normal. Yes?:bs:

[MENINBLK]

The oil guru agrees. :D Thanks RF :up:

In the long run we'll see who's transmission lasts longer...

Swapping out 4 quarts at a time, every 3,000 - 5,000 miles DOES NOT replace enough of the oil,
the additives, and detergents, to sustain the oil for the life of the vehicle.
It also doesn't remove all of the particulate matter suspended in the oil,
and it doesn't do anything for the already oxidized oil still in your transmission.

A flush will replace 100% of the oil, as well as clean out the cooling lines and cooler.
This will insure that the oil flows throught the cooler at its maximum rate,
and that you don't have a buildup of particulate matter in these lines
or the cooler,
to block the flow of oil through them, and reduce the cooling capacity.

[MENINBLK]

I agree with John^^^...as long as the fluid isn't burnt or contaminated.

RF isn't going to help you if you wait until the fluid is burnt to flush the tranny...

[jgc61sr2002]

RF isn't going to help you if you wait until the fluid is burnt to flush the tranny...


I have driven several vehicles over 250,000 miles. One in particular a commuter car a 1989 Pontiac Sunbird to 270K before trans failure. Long before the power flush method. I had the pan removed once a year filter replaced and new fluid added. That worked for me.

[RF Overlord]

............am I to understand that the "FL-820S" filter is no longer going to be available...and if so..what is it's replacement ????...I don't think the FL-1A is ..is it????? anyone.........
As of February 1st, Motorcraft is no longer selling to Wally World...once the stock they have on hand is used up, it's done.

AutoZone will continue to sell Motorcraft filters (as will F/L/M dealers, of course), and so will other auto parts places.

The FL-1A is not a substitute for the FL-820S...at this time there is no other filter that is a direct equivalent. The FL-1A is used by many oil-filter relocation kits and is fine for that use, as long as it's mounted vertically (threaded end up).

[fastblackmerc]

I've had 3 oil changes. The last one I had to replace my drain plug due to worn threads. My mechanic told me it was a Ford thing and that it was normal. Yes?:bs:
No it is not normal. I've had a '73 Cougar XR7, '93 Escort, '86 Aerostar, '79 T-Bird & '83 T-Bird all for over 100,000 miles on each and I changed oil on them every 5,000 miles. Currently have a 97 T-Bird (90,000+ miles) and my MM (15,000 miles) also change oil every 5,000 miles. That's over 120+ oil changes that I've done on my personal cars and have yet to have an oil dain plug "wear out". I think what the mechanic told you was :bs:

[MENINBLK]

I have driven several vehicles over 250,000 miles. One in particular a commuter car a 1989 Pontiac Sunbird to 270K before trans failure. Long before the power flush method. I had the pan removed once a year filter replaced and new fluid added. That worked for me.

First of all, you are comparing a GM transmission to a FORD transmission ???

Secondly, with all of the Federal Regulations on what the parts can and can't be composited of,
the parts in today's transmissions DO NOT COMPARE to transmissions made 10, 15, 30, or 50 years ago.
This is why it is so important to SERVICE the transmission today.

So please get the days of yesterday out of your head,
because they don't apply to today's crap.

I drove a 1965 Chevy Nova with a Turbo Hydramatic 350,
and I also had a1965 Buick Apollo, 350 V8 with the Turbo Hydramatic 400.
Both cars saw 200,000 miles with only one transmission oil change.

I had a 1972 Mustang Fastback, 302 V8 with a C4 tranny.
The C4 only made it to 50,000 miles.
I drop that C4 SOB and put in a worked FMX and never had another problem...

Try it on your Marauder and see how far you get...
You paid a lot more $$$ for the Marauder than you did the older cars,
and to repair the transmissions cost a lot more $$$ also...

[Wagonmaster]

In the long run we'll see who's transmission lasts longer...

Swapping out 4 quarts at a time, every 3,000 - 5,000 miles DOES NOT replace enough of the oil,
the additives, and detergents, to sustain the oil for the life of the vehicle.
It also doesn't remove all of the particulate matter suspended in the oil,
and it doesn't do anything for the already oxidized oil still in your transmission.

A flush will replace 100% of the oil, as well as clean out the cooling lines and cooler.
This will insure that the oil flows throught the cooler at its maximum rate,
and that you don't have a buildup of particulate matter in these lines
or the cooler,
to block the flow of oil through them, and reduce the cooling capacity.
I concur with MENINBLK, a simple 4qt fluid and filter tranny service is not sufficient. As a former ASE certified tech who turned wrenches for Ford I observed alot of burnt trans fluid even in cars that changed the oil (4qts) on a regular basis. I full flush also removes fluid from the converter.

You wouldn't change only 2.5qts of your motor oil would you? Why only change 25% of your tranny fluid?

GT

[BigCars4Ever]

I concur with MENINBLK, a simple 4qt fluid and filter tranny service is not sufficient. As a former ASE certified tech who turned wrenches for Ford I observed alot of burnt trans fluid even in cars that changed the oil (4qts) on a regular basis. I full flush also removes fluid from the converter.

You wouldn't change only 2.5qts of your motor oil would you? Why only change 25% of your tranny fluid?

GTAgain...this is to supplement the regular flush intervals not replace them

[Marauderjack]

230,000 miles on our '98 CV with only 4 filter changes with the 4 quart replacements......still shifts as good as new!!! :beer:

Do whatever you think is right for you......Hell, I'd change it every month if I wanted to but what would that accomplish besides keeping ME happy?? :confused:

Do your own thing guys......your car WILL be fine!! :bows:

Marauderjack :D

[wchain]

My 1994 F150 with almost 215,000 Miles has the original E4OD Transmission.

I dropped the pan the first time at 60K and swapped the filter and what I could out of the pan, and then around 110, I dropped the pan again, swapped filters and drained the converter.

Fluid/Filter at 155, and 190, and I recently swapped the fluid and drained the converter at 200,000 Miles.

Thing you gotta remember is, this truck uses Mercon III, a conventional Style Fluid.

Mercon V, that was introduced to the 4R70W, is a Sythetic Blend of fluid. Transmission fluild turns from the red pinkish color to brown/black when it gets overheated/contaminated. Thats when the fluid, and the additives in the fluid break down and is no longer sufficient to protect the transmission properly. If your car is rarely driven in heavy duty conditions (towing, stop and go traffic, extreme temperature conditions etc.) where the fluid is heated, then in most cases regular fluid changes will be sufficient, due to the fact that changing a portion of your fluid introduces fresher fluid and newer additives into the transmission, giving it proper protection. The fluid is never exposed to outside elements, other than when the dipstick is pulled, so contamination from outside sources is highly unlikely. The filter and the magnet in the pan do their jobs by trapping metal particles.

At Innovative Fleet Services, my shop, I have seen Ford Vans with 4R70W transmissions that do courier work (3000 miles a week), get only fluid and filter changes at our shop, a new filter, gasket and 6 qts of Mercon V. None of the five vans in this batch ever had a transmission failure, when they pulled them out of service at 300,000 miles.

Before I ever got in the business, I had my transmission flushed in a 95 Ford Explorer with 45K miles. Two weeks later the transmission failed, due to a clogged line.

I'm not knocking flushes, but like others have said here, flushing may do more harm then good, especially if you don't know the history. Why to dealers, quick lube places, firestone, etc, push flushes so much? Easy. Its very profitable. Wynn's is a big player in the "Flush" game, Coolant, Transmission, Fuel system, engine oil. Once the machine is paid for, profit levels are fat for transmission flushes. Did they even mention or fathom the fact that after the flush, the filter might still be clogged? Or even worse, the filter material has broken down from the flush, and is floating around the transmission lines?

ANyway, I'm just rambling now......

Just my $.02