Ok to flush and replace 100% of fluid @40k miles but leave filter in.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Is it okay for me to flush the entire capacity of the transmission (13 quarts) with fresh mercon V without removing the pan? I thought I had read that this was a very common thing to do on newer cars. I am going to do it the same way I did my other car, keep topping it off while letting the return line drain into a container, until I've run the entire system capacity through and the fluid coming out the return line is the same color as new fluid. I can't see the filter needing to be replaced but thought I'd ask.

Thanks

Steve

[Phrog_gunner]

I haven't taken out one of our filters, but every other trans filter I've sold or replaced was just basically a piece of paper or foam stuff with the sole purpose of keeping metal shavings from going back into the tranny.

When you get the trans service at the dealer they use a BG machine that normally hooks up to the trans cooler and only exchanges the fluid (pretty much what you are doing)and they do not pull the pan either.

[Pat]

That'll work, but the dealer can go it quicker and only costs an arm but not a leg.

The Ford mec's at the station say they change the filter at the first oil change to see if there are any metal shaving or other solids. If not then the filter is not changed again unless the tranny breaks.

All recommend the flush and gush method by the machine which exchanges the oil in the tranny and torque converter. My lastest cost was 85.95 for fluid, 15 qts @ 5.73 per qt, (I have a second oil cooler). $57.68 for labor and $8.46 for shop supplies. Don't forget tax, our rate here is 9.9%.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I don't let anyone else work on my cars. Leaving my car somewhere else and having someone else touch the paint, drive it, lift it up in the air, ain't gonna happen.

Steve

[Dennis Reinhart]

Is it okay for me to flush the entire capacity of the transmission (13 quarts) with fresh mercon V without removing the pan? I thought I had read that this was a very common thing to do on newer cars. I am going to do it the same way I did my other car, keep topping it off while letting the return line drain into a container, until I've run the entire system capacity through and the fluid coming out the return line is the same color as new fluid. I can't see the filter needing to be replaced but thought I'd ask.

Thanks

Steve


It is not required to change the filter, you can and I suggest it if the transmission is acting up, but for routine maintenance a complete flush with a BG additive is normally all that is needed.

[RF Overlord]

Steve, the factory service manual states that the filter does not require changing for routine maintenance, only if the transmission is being serviced for a contamination-related failure.

I change mine every 50,000 miles, but I'm OCD.
I haven't taken out one of our filters, but every other trans filter I've sold or replaced was just basically a piece of paper or foam stuff with the sole purpose of keeping metal shavings from going back into the tranny.The filter in the 4R70W appears to be similar to the media in an engine oil filter.

[Ozark Marauder]

60,000 miles

Took it in and watched it done at the dealer, fluid, filter, transflush, 142.80

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

13 quarts mercon V from Walmart, $39, I already bought it, but its not about money, I just don't have anyone else do my servicing.

Trans is not acting up, it's just time for a fluid change at 40k, it has its stock fluid fill in it.

Thank you for the input guys, I will go ahead and flush it tomorrow.

Steve

[Ozark Marauder]

I wish I had a place to do my own servicing, live in an apartment.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I have changed engines in apartment garages, actually I did my Marauder gear change in an apartment garage. But luckily those days are over and I have my own space to work. Anything is possible if you are crazy enough like I am.

[JimmyXR7]

I wish I had a place to do my own servicing, live in an apartment.

I live in California where everything is expensive, so my house is 1090 sqft and I service my cars in the driveway.
During the holiday break, I can only work from 12 to 4 pm due to the cold weather. I have to check the weather forcast to schedule my days to miss rain.
A heated garage/ work area must be nice, with warm tools.
Jim

[Phrog_gunner]

Did you happen to take pics of your trans drain setup??

[4play]

I don't let anyone else work on my cars. Leaving my car somewhere else and having someone else touch the paint, drive it, lift it up in the air, ain't gonna happen.

Steve

I know how you feel, it's like leaving your wife naked at a strip club... off the stage.... not good..

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Why yes I did take pictures of flushing my Marauder transmission using a bucket, some trans cooler line, and a funnel. It went splendidly. It took about 15 minutes start to finish, setup to clean-up, to do the entire fluid flush. The difficulty level was, I'd say even easier than changing your own oil. I did not drop the pan.

I ran 13 quarts of Mercon V through the system. I used a 5 gallon bucket, and i marked off the capacity with a sharpie marker, 4 quarts at a time, so I could gauge how much fluid was coming out of the car and how quickly. It pumped out slowly enough that it was very easy to add fluid at the same rate through the dipstick tube w/ a long trans fluid funnel, as it came out. I actually would have to slow down to let the car catch up. This way the car was never more than maybe 1/2 a quart from correct capacity, during the entire procedure. Some people run the car out of fluid and then refill it but I would not chance what happens to the bump and bearings for that split second you run out of fluid.

http://bondospecial.smugmug.com/Cars/2003-Mercury-Marauder/Image1/752012054_oYBjf-O.jpg

http://bondospecial.smugmug.com/Cars/2003-Mercury-Marauder/Image5/752012119_FSmNj-O.jpg

http://bondospecial.smugmug.com/Cars/2003-Mercury-Marauder/Image2/752012057_KxsoZ-O.jpg

This was a very clean, easy way to flush out the entire capacity of the trans w/ fresh fluid. Total cost was $3.77 per quart Mercon V times 13 quarts

[Motorhead350]

Steve, I need to know a few things.

1. How did you know where to make the mark on the bucket?

2. Did you have the car run, did you rev it in park or did you just hook up the hose and let it take care of the job?

3. What size hose did you need?

4. Did the hose hook up to where the drain plug is?

5. Can this be done at an angle? I do all of my work in a driveway and it's at an angle.

Sorry for all of the questions. I know I need a flush and you showing that three people aren't required to do this is a plus and I'd like to do it myself.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

1. How did you know where to make the mark on the bucket?

I used gallon milk jugs which are 4 quarts, and water, and pre filled the bucket a gallon at a time and marked, 4, 8, 12, then dumped it out. System capacity is 13 quarts. I added 13.5 total including the flush, and then topping off per the trans fluid dipstick, so my mark on the bucket was probably not super accurate but close enough.

It's 5/16 trans cooler/power steering return hose (ignore the red coupler I did not have a long enough hose)

There is no drain plug, you attach the hose to interrupt the flow of the trans cooler lines. There are two hard line to rubber hose unions of the trans cooler lines on the passenger side of the car up front. One is send, one is return. I hooked my 5/16" hose to the send line. This does not flush the trans cooler but I didn't think about that at the time and the trans cooler does not hold much in a stock setup. The send hose and hard line should have a white paper tag on them. You disconnect the hose from the hard line and then attach your 5/16" hose from here to a bucket

[RF Overlord]

2. Did you have the car run, did you rev it in park or did you just hook up the hose and let it take care of the job?DON'T rev it in Park...just start the engine and let it idle.
5. Can this be done at an angle? I do all of my work in a driveway and it's at an angle.Depends...ideally the vehicle should be level, but a slight angle won't be a problem. Does the door stay open by itself? If so, it's level enough. If not, then put the low end on ramps.

[babbage]

You should have dropped the pan, cleaned it and the magnet. You'd be VERY surprised how much metal comes out of these transmissions. I dare you to take a picture of your pan and magnet.

Your magnet in your pan is (right now) likely covered with metal particles - reducing it's capability to pick up any more. Now those metal particles are coursing through your cars veins (and clutches)

You are usually so anal. Why not drop the pan? Use the bucket, tap a line, start the car for 20 seconds, shut off, drop pan (now it'll be almost empty). Clean pan, clean magnet, new filter, new fluid.

I'd go back soon and drop the pan. Fluid is cheap. I have 7 quarts of AMSOIL ATF on hand. Going to do soon. (just pan drop and 6.5 quarts) Of course I'll put a new filter on and clean the pan and magnet.

You'll only need another 5 quarts of Mercon V to drop your pan. Dooo-eeet.

My .03 cents.