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Thread: DIY ATF exchange?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Longwood, FL
    Age
    60
    Posts
    604

    DIY ATF exchange?

    How bad of an idea is it to attempt a fluid exchange by yourself? I'm talking about hooking up a reservoir of 16 quarts Mercon V to the tranny cooler return line, and a catch tank for old fluid to the tranny cooler out line, then letting the tranny pump at idle do the work. Same method as used by dealers, sans the expensive machine. Can it be done? Tips? Thanks in advance for your advice.
    2003 300B
    VIN: 677166, #6738 of 7839
    built: 2/13/03
    wrty start: 5/28/03
    69,810 miles @ adoption from Marauder57 02/21/07
    84,197 on 02/21/08
    95,776 on 02/21/09
    109,301 on 02/21/10
    121,447 on 02/21/11
    125,925 on 02/26/12
    130,375 on 01/01/13
    134,831 on 2/4/14
    149,441 on 2/24/18
    Dark Blue Pearl, #128 of 327

    Inherited mods: 4.10's, 180 'stat, Addco Rear Sway Bar, Ceramic-coated Cobra Manifolds, DR's X-Pipe kit w/hi-flow cats, KVR X-Drilled Brake Rotors (rear), PI 3000 TC, DR's Tranny Upgrade 1.5, DR's Rear Engine Cooling Mod, Metal Matrix Drive Shaft, Zack-Mack Rear U&L Control Arms.

    My mods: aluminum lower grill screen, tranny cooler, DR's NoIC Novi SL 1200 S/C kit self-installed 8/11-8/14/08, Zack's tranny tune, dyno tuned by Justin Starkey @ VMP Tuning: 447 RWHP/386 RWTQ. DDM 5000k HIDs, KB BAP w/upgraded wiring, RacerX modded FPDM, front springs cut 1.25 coils

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Cape Coral, Fl.
    Posts
    644
    I don't think the reservoir tank will work. While the pump pushes the fluid through the cooler it picks up from the pan. The machines you refer to have a pump to replace the fluid being pulled out. You can do this by having a catch can with a hose from your cooler running into it. Have the replacement fluid ready (all caps removed) start the car and begin pouring the fluid down a funnel into the trans pan. Watch your catch can and you can guage how much you have pumped out. when you get near even, turn off the car re-attach your cooler lines check and adjust the trans fluid level as needed. We did this before we had the machines.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Longwood, FL
    Age
    60
    Posts
    604
    Thanks for the info!
    2003 300B
    VIN: 677166, #6738 of 7839
    built: 2/13/03
    wrty start: 5/28/03
    69,810 miles @ adoption from Marauder57 02/21/07
    84,197 on 02/21/08
    95,776 on 02/21/09
    109,301 on 02/21/10
    121,447 on 02/21/11
    125,925 on 02/26/12
    130,375 on 01/01/13
    134,831 on 2/4/14
    149,441 on 2/24/18
    Dark Blue Pearl, #128 of 327

    Inherited mods: 4.10's, 180 'stat, Addco Rear Sway Bar, Ceramic-coated Cobra Manifolds, DR's X-Pipe kit w/hi-flow cats, KVR X-Drilled Brake Rotors (rear), PI 3000 TC, DR's Tranny Upgrade 1.5, DR's Rear Engine Cooling Mod, Metal Matrix Drive Shaft, Zack-Mack Rear U&L Control Arms.

    My mods: aluminum lower grill screen, tranny cooler, DR's NoIC Novi SL 1200 S/C kit self-installed 8/11-8/14/08, Zack's tranny tune, dyno tuned by Justin Starkey @ VMP Tuning: 447 RWHP/386 RWTQ. DDM 5000k HIDs, KB BAP w/upgraded wiring, RacerX modded FPDM, front springs cut 1.25 coils

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Southwest Florida, Lee County
    Age
    54
    Posts
    3,423
    You are one of a few that do that! I did it about every 30K on my 1995 Taurus (AX4N), got 172,000 miles out of the tranny. The ONLY reason it failed - the 1 - 2 shift accumulator spring broke and slammed second gear on the upshifts. Probably could have gotten 200K out of it otherwise.
    Quote Originally Posted by finster101 View Post
    I don't think the reservoir tank will work. While the pump pushes the fluid through the cooler it picks up from the pan. The machines you refer to have a pump to replace the fluid being pulled out. You can do this by having a catch can with a hose from your cooler running into it. Have the replacement fluid ready (all caps removed) start the car and begin pouring the fluid down a funnel into the trans pan. Watch your catch can and you can guage how much you have pumped out. when you get near even, turn off the car re-attach your cooler lines check and adjust the trans fluid level as needed. We did this before we had the machines.
    '04 Silver Marauder w/ sunroof - HID lighting, JL Audio / Eclipse DVD/NAV/iPod/camera, 4.10's, 2" drop, Progard Bumper Baffle, Delete tips, Billet Pedals, BC4E dead pedal, Lidio Tune, Mach1 chin spoiler, K&N CAI, TCE lines, Super40's, tinted tails, SS Inserts, Heinous Control Arms, Real oil gauge, lighted door handles. Currently installing Eaton M112.

    2004 Mercury Marauder
    Born March 2004, adopted October 2005. Sold January 2012, adopted AGAIN January 2016
    2,187 of 3,214
    997 in Silver Birch
    448 with light flint interior
    304 with heated seats
    336 with sunroof

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