Changing Auto Tranny Fluid?

[joshheat25]

How do you change it I heard to just drop the pan and then drain the torque converter. Then replace the Filter. But has anyone actually tried this! thanx

 

[bdcardinal]

ive done it a bunch. just make sure that you use Mercon V. there is an awesome writeup on www.crownvic.net in their tech section. i woudl post the link, but the site isnt opening for me right now. only think i would add, is maybe getting more trans fluid than they call for. id rather end up with more than i need than run out. also this is a perfect time to add a tans cooler in while youre at it.

EDIT: got the page to open, heres the link http://www.crownvic.net/tech/transservice.htm

 

[joshheat25]

thanx for the info! So Put in your trans cooler while you have the pan dropped .

 

[joshheat25]

any other tips?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Here's some tips:

There will be a goofy looking plug laying in your pan. It is left there from the assembly line. Just discard it. If it is not there, someone already changed the fluid and threw it away.

Check your tranny fluid level properly after refilling. Do a search on the board for a great post by Gearbanger 101 on how.

Clean the inside bottom of the pan well with solvent and use compressed air to remove all the metal bits from the magnet.

Just use regular Mercon V from the Ford parts counter. No synthetic bells and whistles crap.

Let the exhaust cool or you will burn yourself when dropping the pan.

Use jackstands.

Good luck man

 

[joshheat25]

Thanks for the tip about that thing left in there from the assembly line. I would have probobly freaked if I saw that, and didn't know what it was thanx! And about the fluid i bought some Mercon V from an auto parts store that will work too right!

 

[rjstaaf]

I would stick with Motorcraft Mercon V rather than some generic brand that might happen to meet Mercon V specs as well as a bunch of others. That is just my opinion though. By the way Motorcraft Mercon V is a synthetic blend. Supposedly Mobil is working on a version of Mobil 1 ATF that will meet the Mercon V spec.

I have two sets of rhino ramps that I put my car up on to service the fluids. They are rated for 12,000lbs so they are plenty strong enough. I drive up on one set and use the floor jack to raise the other end and slide the second set under. Leaves enough room for me to slide under on my creeper.

I also replaced my transmission pan with a version of the stock pan that has a drain. It cost 55$ and makes the process a breeze and a lot less messy.

 

[snake109]

go to the dealership and get a tranny flush, much better then just droping the pan cause all you will get is mabey 5 quarts to come out because a lot of fluid is "trapped" in the tranny. a tranny flush gets all 15 quarts out, cost a bunch, but if your goin to do it, do it right

 

[bdcardinal]

go to the dealership and get a tranny flush, much better then just droping the pan cause all you will get is mabey 5 quarts to come out because a lot of fluid is "trapped" in the tranny. a tranny flush gets all 15 quarts out, cost a bunch, but if your goin to do it, do it right

ya but not only is he dropping the pan, he is draining the torque converter. if you bothered to read the link i posted you would see that it is a complete flush. also the dealers dont replace the filter. they say that the flushing process cleans out the filter, but what happens is all the contaminants that are in the folter get blown back into the valve body. ive seen transmissions take dumps right after getting a flush.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Flush = teh suck, its for lazy people who own caddies and *****