Transmission Fluid Change = Horror Story??

StangVert00 · Dec 26, 2004

Greetings,
I own a '00 GT 'Vert (Auto)
The transmission has been acting funny recently. It shifts kind of hard at around 5-7mph.
I want to get the tranny oil changed.
The engine has currently around 51,500 miles on it, and the tranny fluid has never been changed.
Yes, I know it should have been changed around 30k, but I have heard horror stores from people that have had this done and the transmssion falls to pieces after a week or so after the fluid had been changed.
When I do get it changed, I would probably take it to a Ford Dealership. I know that it will cost an arm and a leg, but at least they warranty their work...for a while at least.
I know to ask them to drail the tranny fluid, plus drain the torque converter.
Is there anything else I should ask them, or what to look out for? This is my only car, and I have been keeping it clean and maintained. I can't afford to have the transmission in my rear view mirror.
BTW, No mods have been done on my 'Stang.

Thanks in advance.

StangVert00

Darkhorse845 · Dec 26, 2004

Take it to your local Ford Dealership
to have the Tranny fluid changed and
be done with it!

xseler8 · Dec 26, 2004

Darkhorse845 said:
Take it to your local Ford Dealership
to have the Tranny fluid changed and
be done with it!

Ford has the correct fluids,tools & experience.

mcmmotorsports · Dec 26, 2004

There is an extremely simple solution for this. At my Ford Dealership we charge about $150 for this service and you should get it done. It is called the Wynns Transmission Flush Service. Call around to every dealership and find one that does it.

propellerhead · Dec 26, 2004

Darkhorse845 said:
Take it to your local Ford Dealership
to have the Tranny fluid changed and
be done with it!

I never thought I'd say this but.... I agree with Darkhorse845.

$99 for the auto trans fluid service and be done with it.

(Just kidding, D!)

StangPro · Dec 26, 2004

The flush is the right way to do it.

speed545 · Dec 26, 2004

Mine was acting funny also last spring. Had around 28K at that time. Ordered a Tranny cooler from Summit racing, installed it my self except for the connections and went to my ford dealer for a tranny fluid flush and had the cooler connect. Never had any problems after that. Cost me 100$ for the flush and 35$ for the conections of the cooler. That cooler was the best investment i made on that car. 4R70W doesnt support heat!!!!!
You dont have to worry about flushing the torque converter and thing like that. They are replacing your old fluid using a pump that will push the old oil with the new one.
Get a tranny cooler and invest on maintaining your tranny. Those transmission are very good, just need to take care of it.

Happy hollidays

crew_dawg16 · Dec 26, 2004

you shouldn't be afraid after only 50,000 miles. If it were more like 100,000, then I might not change it. Just get a flush done like others have said and you'll be fine.

StangVert00 · Dec 26, 2004

Thanks for your advice.
I will call tomorrow and get an appointment!

Thanks!

StangVert00

bdcardinal · Dec 26, 2004

also make sure they drop the pan and replace the filter. this is a huge topic on crownvic.net. basically the consensus is to NOT do a flush like a Wynn's style. they say to drop teh pan, drain the converter(crown vics have a drain plug in the converter, i think mustangs have them too), and then disconnect the cooler lines and run them till new fluid comes out. they recommend using Amsoil or motorcraft Mercon V. but always replace the filter. the flushes say they back flush however that just pushes all the stuff in the filter back into the trans. the installation of an aftermarket trans cooler is an execellent idea. the major enemy of any auto trans is heat. the more heat there is in the trans the more the fluid breaks down and the shorter the life od the trans will be.

tarch · Dec 26, 2004

sorry guys, but flushing the auto tranny is so simple... paying 100 bucks is getting ripped off

also i would recommend that transmission cooler... it lenghtens the tranny life by an incredible amount...

i also think you might have a little problem with your tq converter and not your fluid

narongc73 · Dec 26, 2004

Don't do the flush like all the lazy ones say. Just drop the pan and drain the TC yourself, it ain't hard. If you do the flush they won't touch the filter or drop the pan to clean out the metal shavings. An easy way would be to disconnect the cooler line ( the top one) and run the engine at idle it'll dump about a gallon out (use a hose) shutoff immediately when you notice it's barely coming out. This will drain the TC and you just have to drop the pan for the rest of the oil. Make sure to use Mercon V and not III, shops tend to use III.

StangVert00 · Dec 26, 2004

narongc73 said:
Don't do the flush like all the lazy ones say. Just drop the pan and drain the TC yourself, it ain't hard. If you do the flush they won't touch the filter or drop the pan to clean out the metal shavings. An easy way would be to disconnect the cooler line ( the top one) and run the engine at idle it'll dump about a gallon out (use a hose) shutoff immediately when you notice it's barely coming out. This will drain the TC and you just have to drop the pan for the rest of the oil. Make sure to use Mercon V and not III, shops tend to use III.

I tried changing the tranny fluid...once!
I had a 1968 Torino. I dropped the pan, and changed the fluid, replaced the filter and pan gasket. I THOUGHT everything was fine until a week later when it would not go into Reverse! This was back in 1985 when I did not know better. Now I will leave it to the Pros.

narongc73 · Dec 26, 2004

StangVert00 said:
I tried changing the tranny fluid...once!
I had a 1968 Torino. I dropped the pan, and changed the fluid, replaced the filter and pan gasket. I THOUGHT everything was fine until a week later when it would not go into Reverse! This was back in 1985 when I did not know better. Now I will leave it to the Pros.

Doh that must have sucked. Sure take it to a shop if you are unsure, but let them drop the pan....anything but the flush method.

Big Steve · Dec 26, 2004

I would not hesitate to change my trans fluid. The problem is most people wait till they have a problem, then change the fluid. When the trans finally does bite the dust, they blame it on the fresh fluid change. Duh, the trans was already doomed, probably by lack of maintenence.

I personally don't agree with flushing, especially the 4r70w which has a drain plug in the converter. By disconnecting a cooler line and running the engine till no more fluid comes out, then draining the rest of the converter and dropping the pan, you can get almost all of the fluid out. On my Grand Marquis I had to put in 13 qts to refill after this procedure. You will always get some new to old fluid dilution when you flush no matter who says what. Service dept's like this "flush" because it take less time and they can make more money by offering this "service". BTW, I've worked in dealerships parts depts for 23 years, and I've made plenty of money over the years by these needless services. Not on my car!!

PEWTERPONY · Dec 26, 2004

I got this done at my local texaco lube place where I've had oil changed before. I got no horror stories.

I know the **** was brown when it came out and it shifted alot smoother when the new was put in.

I paid 240 for the whole 30,000 mile thing including fuel filter change.

wow 51thou on a 00? i got 50 on my 02

Transmission Fluid Change = Horror Story??

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