Hey all let me start by saying I'm new to this site and it is incredible and extremely valuable. I bought a 97 F150 4.6 auto tranny 4x4 with 42,000 miles on it in September. This is my second F150, my last was 1994 4x4 5.0 Auto tranny. I changed the oil/plugs/wires/fuel filter etc. on that and did all of the other regular maintenace a guy can do EXCEPT for servicing the tranny (I had a mechanic do it twice in the three eyars and 50K I put on it). I want to service the tranny on my 1997 auto soon...is it as simple as dropping and draining the transmission pan and then refilling it with fluid through the dipstick in the engine compartment? Any help or other tips/recommendations anyone has would be greatly appreciated...
Also, it sounds like the 1997's have two (?) tranny's...I'm not sure which mine has. Thanks and again this site rules

 

If you have a 4.6L auto, it's a 4R70W.

Servicing the transmission is very simple. But, the first time will be very messy. That is why you'll need to install a drain plug in the pan.

Supplies:

• Very large container (15 qts)
• 13 qts Mercon V transmisison fluid
• Drain plug kit find at any parts store

The pan gasket is reusable and so is the filter if it's not clogged (they don't clog unless the transmission is destroyed).

This is not as daunting as it seems; just very messy You want the fluid to be warm so go for about a 20 minute drive. When you remove the pan, loosen all the bolts and then remove the bolts towards the back of the pan and let the fluid run out. When it stops flowing you can remove the pan but it will be heavy because there is still quite a bit of fluid in there.

Draining the torque converter:

The torque converter has a drain plug behind that plastic cap. To get the drain plug in the proper position, you need to use a breaker bar and turn the crankshaft clockwise until you see the drian plug. When you put the TC drain plug back in, don't overtghten it. The pan bolts are also torqued to just 8-10 lb-ft. Too tight and the gasket will leak.

When refilling: add 5 qts through the dipstick tube and run the engine for about 30 seconds. Then add another 5 qts and run the engine again for 30 seconds. You can probably get in 2-3 more qts after that. The transmission holds 5 qts and the TC holds 8 qts. Depending on how much you spill onto your driveway, you can determine how much you need to add by the amount you've drained.

Couple of other things: If the pan has not been dropped before, there will be a plug in there that looks like a top. Don't worry about it. It's placed in there during assembly and pushed into the pan when they add the dipstick. It's also normal to find a lot of metal shavings on the magnet.

 

Thanks. I'm going to service it and the transfer case this weekend.

 

AWH, so how did it go? I have a 99 4x4 and want to do the same thing. Do these tranfer cases run gear lube or tranny fluid? This is the newest 4x4 I have ever owned. Does anyone know which auto tranny is behind the 5.4? Is it the same as the 4.6? Thanks!

 

1968stepside,

With a 1999 5.4L, you'll need to check the Vehicle Cert. Label on the driver side door.

E=4R100 requires Mercon fluid
U=4R70W requires Mercon V fluid

 

1968 Stepside,

I have not been able to service my transmission yet because my local dealership (Mel Clayton) quoted me a price of 20 bucks a gallon for Mercon V...? Apparently it doesn't come in individual quarts? I'll probably be stopping by there soon to double check this in person.
According to my vehicle manual the transer case takes 2 quarts of Mercon multi purpose ATF.
What kind of truck is your '68? I used to have '68 F100 longbed with a 390. It was cool but no AC and 8 MPG on supreme got old real quick in Phoenix.

 

mercon V is the expensive (and it is different than reg mercon) stuff some dealers stock quarts they have to because you will probably need about 6 quarts to fill it.

oh if you do the whole service with torque converter drain i quess you would need 13 quarts.

does anyone actually do the converter drain or just the pan and filter service?

 

I would hope that people drain the TC. Not only is it easier than draining the pan if there's a drain plug; it also holds more fluid.

Also: Last time I bought Motorcraft Mercon V, it was $3.83 per qt at the dealer.

 

Ajragno,
Your description sounds real easy.
Does my tranny have a reusable gasket?
01 4x4 4.6l auto.
Where is the best place to mount the plug?
the front of the pan or the rear?
thanks

 

flareside-sal,

I was very apprehensive as I prepared to change the fluid the first time. Afterall, a new transmission is about $1,500.00. It's not so risky though... Just messy without a drain plug. And yes, the gasket is reuseable.

I mounted the plug at the back.

 

thanks,
I'm going to do it

 

i did the full thing converter filter and all it took 13 quarts to fill it back up