Tranny Flush

[281MERC]

just did a tranny flush and drained somewhere between 6-7 liters out of the cooler and torque converter. was this enough to get it all out? im just curious to know EXACTLY how much oil is left in the car after dropping the pan, anyone???

[tbone]

13.9 quarts. 13.2 liters. You got half.

[281MERC]

13.9 quarts. 13.2 liters. You got half.

no, i mean just in the torque converter and oil cooler/lines. not including what comes out when you drop the pan.

[jonroe]

If it will help your calculations, when I just drain the pan I get between 3.75 and 4 quarts out depending on how long you let it drip. This would be about 3.7 liters.

[Ktorres1]

Is that really worth the effort, to simply get half or should one go to the dealer and shell out the bucks for a complete flush synthetic refill? Also do they to drop the pan and change the trans oil filter?

[Paul T. Casey]

shell out the bucks for a complete flush

This is well worth the price. I just had them replace with the OEM style fluid, and had no issues until about 200K miles. I run the car pretty hard too (as my 600ish timeslips would attest to).

[jimlam56]

You could put on a E350 pan with a drain plug and replace the fluid every 15- 20K or so. That would effectively flush the whole transmission.

[ctrlraven]

You could put on a E350 pan with a drain plug and replace the fluid every 15- 20K or so. That would effectively flush the whole transmission.
I bought an Art Carr pan and drain 4-5 quarts every 3rd oil change (15k miles).

[musclemerc]

I'm old school. I have a brand new bucket that I fill with mercon5 and an old empty bucket. I disconnect the input of the cooler (after going for a good drive to open up the in line thermo loop) hook up a length of hose to reach each bucket (cooler in/ cooler out) and start the car and put it in reverse with the wheels blocked. Old fluid out and clean fresh fluid in. Works great!

[RF Overlord]

musclemerc's method is actually the same procedure used by the dealer's fluid exchange machine and by aftermarket machines like the T-Tech.

Fresh fluid is introduced into a double-ended cylinder with a piston in it, much like a shock absorber. The transmission's own pump pushes the old fluid into one end of this cylinder which causes the piston to push the fresh fluid back into the transmission. There is no external power and the fluid flows in the proper direction, so this isn't a "power flush" or a "backflush". In fact, this is the method recommended by Ford.

[281MERC]

Is that really worth the effort, to simply get half or should one go to the dealer and shell out the bucks for a complete flush synthetic refill? Also do they to drop the pan and change the trans oil filter?

im pretty sure i got most of it, i ran about 6 or 7 liters out the cooler line as well as whatever came out when i dropped the pan to change the filter. im just not sure because i spilt it all over the floor when i lowered the pan. why the hell didnt ford put drain plugs on their pans?

[RF Overlord]

Is that really worth the effort, to simply get half or should one go to the dealer and shell out the bucks for a complete flush synthetic refill? Also do they to drop the pan and change the trans oil filter?Last question first...no, they don't, unless you ask for it and then they charge extra.

As far as a drain & fill being "worth it", that depends. If the transmission has not been abused and has been serviced at intervals appropriate to its use, then doing a simple drain & fill is absolutely worth it. I do one on Phoebe every 15,000 miles and the fluid that drains out looks as good as the new stuff going in. I have a drain plug, so it's simple to do at every third oil change, and the 4 quarts that get replaced help to keep the additive pack replenished.

If, however, the fluid is obviously worn out, discoloured, or smelly, then a complete fluid exchange should be performed.

[burt ragio]

I'm old school. I have a brand new bucket that I fill with mercon5 and an old empty bucket. I disconnect the input of the cooler (after going for a good drive to open up the in line thermo loop) hook up a length of hose to reach each bucket (cooler in/ cooler out) and start the car and put it in reverse with the wheels blocked. Old fluid out and clean fresh fluid in. Works great!

Sounds like a great way to go but what if you also want to change the filter ?

[musclemerc]

I change the filter every two years you have to drop the pan (your smart enough to know that). The flush is done as yearly maintenance.

[Marauderjack]

Actually after your first filter change it is not necessary again!!:beer:

It is just there to catch debris in the event of a catastrophic failure!!:eek:

The magnet catches the ferrous metal that wears off!!:D

[GAMike]

This is well worth the price. I just had them replace with the OEM style fluid, and had no issues until about 200K miles. I run the car pretty hard too (as my 600ish timeslips would attest to).

Hey Paul... What was the difference like with the new fluid? Was it way smoother? How long had it been since your last trans flush/svc?

Scott @ Team Toyland did mine this past weekend.....Had about 27k on the fluid. Just wanted to learn from your experience seeing as you have a few more miles on her than I do:D. Its good to know what I might be in for hehehe.

[RF Overlord]

Actually after your first filter change it is not necessary again!!:beer:

It is just there to catch debris in the event of a catastrophic failure!!:eek:

The magnet catches the ferrous metal that wears off!!:D^^^what 'jack said^^^

Even the factory service manual agrees. Basically, it says a filter change is not necessary for routine maintenance. It's only required if the transmission is being serviced for contamination or an actual failure.

[JimmyXR7]

Actually after your first filter change it is not necessary again!!:beer:

It is just there to catch debris in the event of a catastrophic failure!!:eek:

The magnet catches the ferrous metal that wears off!!:D

If you have the money to do the best job.
Replace the filter, as in the air filter, the air or fluid will pass thru a new filter easier.
I spend the bucks and change the air filter, oil filter, and trans filter on regular basis. next change for my MM is the fuel filter.
When dropping the trans pan, also remove the magnet and clean it off so it will work as new.
See my posts of the magnet in my marauder's trans pan.
Only the best for my Marauder.
Jim