longer milleage panther, Transmission flush & fluid change

[stryker]

Greetings Tranny tech Marauderers, as I post in a thread in community discussion, I adopt a 2000 Crown Vic LX with 144862 but is uncertain about fluid changes or maintenance by the car dealer, I want to know if is recomended a transmission fluid change and flushing plus tranny filter replace ? I was thinking in replace only the filter and just replace 4 or 5 quarts of transmission oil and no flushing, I heard that flushing and replacing the entire fliud can cause the transmission start to shuddering and slipping, I want your advices or recomendations plus what kind of mods I can do to the transmission to make it stronger and longer lasting, :thanks: for the time to read MARAUDERERS. :up:

[ctrlraven]

Drop the pan, change the filter and replace the fluid. I would get a deep trans pan or E-series van pan that has the drain plug on it then you can drain it yourself. Every month or at the time of an oil change.

If you don't know the service history on the car I wouldn't do the fluid exchange unless you do the bucket method.

[massacre]

If you drop the trans pan and find what looks kinda like a fishing bobber in it, chances are the trans fluid has never been changed.
What color is the fluid? How does it smell?

[SC Cheesehead]

If you drop the trans pan and find what looks kinda like a fishing bobber in it, chances are the trans fluid has never been changed.
What color is the fluid? How does it smell?

^^^^^ Good starting point ^^^^^^

Stryker, check it out first before just going ahead with the decision to change the fluid.

[stryker]

:thanks: Mangs for your valuable advices I appreciate it a lot, Unfortunally the maintenance record of this Panther is unknown, MASSACRE, I will check tomorrow the transmission oil to see color and how smell. CTRLRAVEN, I have in schedule to replace the existing OEM pan for a more capacity one to add more oil But I have a doubt ¿ What is the bucket method ?

[JimmyXR7]

[QUOTE=ctrlraven;1030629]Drop the pan, change the filter and replace the fluid. . . . QUOTE]
replace the fluid you removed. About 1/3 of the total. The new fluid will help re-vitilize the old fluid. (If the fluid smells you may be too late.)

Also, the pan drop, allows you to clean the magnet of the black muck. if it is a eariler ford, you can add a magnet. The magnets in the oil pan and trans pan keep metal from ruining the unit, until the magnet is loaded up with stuff. Clean the magnets.

Jim

[fastblackmerc]

Unknown service record........... :shake:

I'd replace all the fluids to start from a known point.

The bucket method:

Get enough Mercron V fluid to replace it all.
Get a funnel for the tranny dipstick tube.
Get a 5 gallon bucket.
Disconnect the line from the tranny to the cooler.
Place the line in a bucket.
Run the car, the fluid will pump ot.
While the fluid is pumping out you need to add fluid thru the dipstick tube so the tranny doesn't run dry.
When all the fluid is exchanged, stop the car.
Reconnect the cooler line.
Top off the tranny fluid.


Since you can damage the tranny by running it dry, I'd find a shop that has a machine that can change the fluid.

BTW.... Only use the type of fluid recommended in the owners manual. Marauders use ONLY Mercron V fluid.

[stryker]

Thank you FASTBLACKMERC, I think I will buy a larger trans Pan and if the capacity increase let's say 3 qts I will mix it with the existing and I was thinking in use the Lucas trans additive to protect better, change the Filter and if it has the magnet clean it put it back in, other thing I was have in mind is to mount a transmission cooler, let me know your comments about this, I want to do this to mantain it untill I get the $$$$$$ to do an complete overhaul of the transmission and do it the so called "J-MOD" but I need help about what is that J-MOD and what is the difference after done, comments, suggestions, advices still welcome Marauderers tech Pros.

[a_d_a_m]

what is that J-MOD and what is the difference after done

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Vpkc2MMQQPsJ:www.crown vic.net/tech/4R70Wnotes.pdf+crownvic.net+j-mod&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiR24Q0wM1p-26705i-65i5zKXkpUA6JXmMSmG85IUp3E1zDf KzWU2TjfwitK7qTy0BQQO3KRmeK81z s4CDqU2gWSEKjPLg-B1XH4S-r9IHEYrL1WXgnHjdVY2DiFsCPXdMGh iR&sig=AHIEtbR6I8OpdnGzEuhm8m25qu UMa5U_3Q&pli=1
^^that link should show you how to do it.

Essentially, the J-mod is accomplished by drilling out a few holes in your transmission valve body's separator plate, and removing a spring or two.

The effect it has on your car? Quicker/firmer shifts. This can actually prolong the life of your transmission, because slow, sloppy shifts actually wear the transmission out faster than the quick/firm shifts. And, since the "J" in "J-mod" stands for "Jerry" aka one of the original engineers of the 4R70W transmission...well...let's just say it's a safe mod for your car.

I did the J-mod in my '02 GMQ and my '03 Marauder and never once regretted it.

[fastblackmerc]

Thank you FASTBLACKMERC, I think I will buy a larger trans Pan and if the capacity increase let's say 3 qts I will mix it with the existing and I was thinking in use the Lucas trans additive to protect better, change the Filter and if it has the magnet clean it put it back in, other thing I was have in mind is to mount a transmission cooler, let me know your comments about this, I want to do this to mantain it untill I get the $$$$$$ to do an complete overhaul of the transmission and do it the so called "J-MOD" but I need help about what is that J-MOD and what is the difference after done, comments, suggestions, advices still welcome Marauderers tech Pros.

First - I wouldn't use any additives. The correct fluid will have all the additives needed.

Second - Add a cooler. Any heat you can take away from the tranny will make it last longer.

[stryker]

:thanks: FASTBLACKMERC and A.D.A.M. for your quicker respond and help, FASTBLACKMERC, I will without effect to add additive when I install the large trans pan I will use only the Mercon V but now I need suggestions on which brand to use Motorcraft,Castrol,Penzoil or Valvoline ? two things more what transmission cooler you recomend to use in the Panther, the other question is can be possible to get a Valve body with the J-mod done if any of you can recomend me where i can find it better, i was thinking in check with BC automotive let me know your impressions are very important to me and again :thanks: for all your attention to this. :burnout:

[fastblackmerc]

:thanks: FASTBLACKMERC and A.D.A.M. for your quicker respond and help, FASTBLACKMERC, I will without effect to add additive when I install the large trans pan I will use only the Mercon V but now I need suggestions on which brand to use Motorcraft,Castrol,Penzoil or Valvoline ? two things more what transmission cooler you recomend to use in the Panther, the other question is can be possible to get a Valve body with the J-mod done if any of you can recomend me where i can find it better, i was thinking in check with BC automotive let me know your impressions are very important to me and again :thanks: for all your attention to this. :burnout:

Any brand Mercron V will be good. Since Mercron V is a specification all maker should abide by the spec.

You can get a valve body from Darrin at BC Automotive or do the mod yourself.

Get the biggest cooler you can afford and fit in the car.
Bigger is better.... (TWSS!!!).

Bigger = cooler tranny fluid.

Cooler tranny fluid = happy tanny.

[stryker]

Understood mang I will comunicate with Darril to check about that parts and prices, here in pep Boys they sell the Hayden transmission coolers, they look like a small radiator and I will check them today, about the Tranny oil I choose Castrol Mercon V.

[RF Overlord]

Osvaldo, the Hayden units are very good quality and so is Castrol Mercon V. I've used it in Phoebe for the last couple of drain & fills.

[stryker]

I will go to Pep Boys to buy the Tranny cooler I yesterday buy two qts of Castrol MerconV, the transmission pan I will buy increase to two qts more but I will not touch the existing oil to avoid become malfunctioning (shudder & slip) but I'll change the tranny filter. once again many thanks to CTRLRAVEN, MASSACRE, SC CHEESEHEAD, JIMMYXR7, FASTBLACKMERC, A_D_A_M, RFOVERLORD, for you contributions and help I will keep updated all you about the results in the thread of my adopted Panther. :racebanana:

[fastblackmerc]

I will go to Pep Boys to buy the Tranny cooler I yesterday buy two qts of Castrol MerconV, the transmission pan I will buy increase to two qts more but I will not touch the existing oil to avoid become malfunctioning (shudder & slip) but I'll change the tranny filter. once again many thanks to CTRLRAVEN, MASSACRE, SC CHEESEHEAD, JIMMYXR7, FASTBLACKMERC, A_D_A_M, RFOVERLORD, for you contributions and help I will keep updated all you about the results in the thread of my adopted Panther. :racebanana:

You do know that when you swap pans you'll lose all the fluid in the pan?

Buy more fluid and replace all that comes out when you swap the pan.

[RF Overlord]

I will not touch the existing oil to avoid become malfunctioning (shudder & slip) but I'll change the tranny filter. You have that backwards...NOT changing the fluid will eventually cause the dreaded torque converter clutch shudder.

If you're installing a new higher-capacity pan, it should have a drain plug, so you can do periodic drain & fills much more easily. A normal drain & fill takes just under 4 quarts, so with your new pan it should be 6.

[massacre]

You have that backwards...NOT changing the fluid will eventually cause the dreaded torque converter clutch shudder.


Actually, stryker is correct on this ^^^^^^

In high mileage Panther transmissions, if the fluid is not changed on a regular basis (like his with unknown service history), it can actually make the car slip/shudder worse if the fluid is changed. It's the darndest thing. That is why he is concerned about it and doesn't want to disturb the trans fluid too much.

[RF Overlord]

That's only *potentially* true if the fluid is badly oxidized and contaminated, and even then is more anecdotal than fact. People just assume that the fluid change caused the failure since it was the most recent thing done, when in reality the transmission failed due to abuse/neglect and would have done so even if the fluid were not changed.

[CBT]

I changed my fluid the night before going to Louisville, pretty much in the dark. I could not get the new filter to seat properly. I finally crawled out, got a flashlight and saw why: The round gasket on the old filter did not drop out with the old filter, it stayed in place. Crawled out, got needle nose pliers, pulled the old gasket out, slapped the new filter in, bolted up the pan (reused old gasket), poured in about 3-4 quarts of new fluid, good to go. Also, I cleaned the pan with brakklean as recommended by a 'member':D here. Shined the crap out of it.

[stryker]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/cooler2.JPG (javascript:;)
Here is the cooler with kit I buy to modify, I was expected were more bigger but the other models was smaller than this. next part I have in schedule to buy is the extended capacity transmission pan with drain, I speak with Dennis reinhart and he give a good price, other parts to get is the tranny filter and a few qts of Mercon V, I found a Ford house parts were they sale the Motrocraft MerconV, I check the color and smell of the existing oil and the color is not brown and don't smell to burned, either way I only will replace 4 qts plus two when I installed the new pan will be 6 qts. :burnout:

[dbc1965]

stryker go with B&M cooler you won't regret it brother my dad is from ponce rip 09/10/08

[stryker]

stryker go with B&M cooler you won't regret it brother my dad is from ponce rip 09/10/08I will do a search about that B&M tranny cooler and Mang am sorry for the loss of your dad I know what you feel I lost mine in Feb-11-2002 but I still feel if it was today.

[tbone]

I changed my fluid the night before going to Louisville, pretty much in the dark. I could not get the new filter to seat properly. I finally crawled out, got a flashlight and saw why: The round gasket on the old filter did not drop out with the old filter, it stayed in place. Crawled out, got needle nose pliers, pulled the old gasket out, slapped the new filter in, bolted up the pan (reused old gasket), poured in about 3-4 quarts of new fluid, good to go. Also, I cleaned the pan with brakklean as recommended by a 'member':D here. Shined the crap out of it.

Justbob did it for me. I could not get at it. Plus, I could not see as I am blind without my glasses.

[Brentster]

Unknown service record........... :shake:

I'd replace all the fluids to start from a known point.

The bucket method:

Get enough Mercron V fluid to replace it all.
Get a funnel for the tranny dipstick tube.
Get a 5 gallon bucket.
Disconnect the line from the tranny to the cooler.
Place the line in a bucket.
Run the car, the fluid will pump ot.
While the fluid is pumping out you need to add fluid thru the dipstick tube so the tranny doesn't run dry.
When all the fluid is exchanged, stop the car.
Reconnect the cooler line.
Top off the tranny fluid.


Since you can damage the tranny by running it dry, I'd find a shop that has a machine that can change the fluid.

BTW.... Only use the type of fluid recommended in the owners manual. Marauders use ONLY Mercron V fluid.

Regarding Step 4, I am seeing 2 Cooler Lines that look like they go from the transmission to the Cooler, which 1 do I take off? Or does 1 go the Cooler and the other goes to the Radiator?