I was told by two transmission shops NOT to change my transmission fluid. What Gives?

Sga · #1 08-05-2003, 03:19 AM

95 F-150 5.0 115,000 Miles. Bought the truck with 95,000 on it. Not knowing if the fluid has ever been changed, and I like to stay on top of maintenance, I called a couple of transmission shops to check about having the transmission fluid changed. Not flushed, just changed. Both refused, saying they have had alot of trouble after changing the fluid on high mileage ford transmissions, the E40D in paticular. They explained if the fluid has been changed regularly, they would do it, but if it has not been changed in along time, they would not.
I would have thought new fluid would be good for a transmission. What gives?

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Sga · #2 08-05-2003, 03:28 AM

Sorry about the double post, hit the button twice by mistake. I tried to delete one of them, but I says I cant.

Factory_Tech · #3 08-05-2003, 03:39 AM

If it was me, I'd find another shop, I think the "don't change old fluid" stuff is a wives tale myself. Old fluid will cause some clutch slipping and wear out the box sooner.

G

03f150man · #4 08-06-2003, 12:22 AM

drain the old fluid from tq converter and tranny. Put in a new filter. since you dont know the histrory of tranny changes it wouldnt hurt to repeat the fluid change in 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Some of the shops get burned by people who have tranny problems. People with tranny problems on high mileage vehciles get the oil changed and then blame the shop for the problem when it becomes obvious the fluid change is not a cure all. So i understand why some shops dont want to change fluid. But if you want to keep the tranny that is currently in your vehicle, it is in your best interest to immediately change fluid/filter. And if you have a few tools and a place to work, it is easy to do for yourself. check the websites for how to's. whether you do it yourself or hire it done, be sure the correct fluid is used.

BlueOvalFitter · #5 08-06-2003, 05:44 AM

Sga,if it were mine ide drain the converter,pan and change the filter.Then ide go back with Aamco MerconV synthetic blend fluid.I'm sure your transmission calls for Dexron III but the the Aamco fluid will help it shift better and run cooler.Autozone sells it for $2.99 a quart.
Is there a transmission cooler on there now?If not you might want to install one.They will extend the life of your transmission if you do any towing or heavy hauling.Good luck and keep us posted!

Sga · #6 08-07-2003, 02:15 AM

Thanks for the helpful replies. I thought it was odd that they would say that. Thats why I asked the experts here. There is a factory tranmission cooler on the truck. ( which has probably saved it). The transmission shifts fine, but I noticed the fluid looks kind of tired. It will be no trouble to change myself, ive done it several times on other cars. I should have the engine finished by friday. Chasing down a funny skip thats not showing itself. I did a compression test and leak down test tonight. All ok. Did find the TPS resistance is a bit erratic, I'll pick up a new one tommorow. but thats for another forum.

E Double · #7 08-13-2003, 12:18 PM

Unfortunately, if the tranmission has been doing anything out of the ordinary such as excess slipping it could be a mess. If the transmission has been doing this for a while (I.E. for miles before you purchased it) there could be metal in the fluid. If there is alot, basically the trans fluid is holding it in suspension, and the trans together. Changing the fluid in this case will basically cause the trans to roll over and die, in short time. I had a 93' F250 I purchased used with 100K miles on the odo. upon purchaseI immediately changed the fluid and filter, and found alot of metal in the pan. Hoping on hope, I cleaned it out as best as I could, and put it all back together. Within 500 miles I was at the trans shop doing a complete rebuild. My cousin owns a Jiffy lube in NC and he got burned twice when this happened to customer's higher-mileage 100+K miles) cars without a known trans service history; Within days both had fried transmissions. Unfortunately ford has had a bad track record in being upfront about problems with heat in their transmissions. I should know; I own a 95 T-Bird and a 95 Cougar, both with the 4R70W (and I know 10 bird owners that this nightmare has happened to). This trans is only slightly different than what's in most ford trucks, so forewarned is forearmed. While its a toss up whether this will happen to you, there is a decent chance. So, I would probably wait to swap the fluid until you have enough money to rebuild the trans, just in case. Good luck.

Cheers,

Dennis

03f150man · #8 08-13-2003, 11:32 PM

As per my earlier post, a fluid change will not restore a broken tranny. however, if your tranny is working fine but is overdue for a change, do it now. (otherwise the tranny will sooner or later fall into the category of a broken tranny). change pan and torque converter fluid, nothing less. Easy job to do yourself on many fords.

seldont · #9 08-18-2003, 10:44 PM

Bluovalfitter are you sure about the Mercon V in the E4OD?? I was told not to use it in my 97 E4OD but use regular Mercon. I was told the E4OD would not last with the Mercon V. So far no problems with the regular Mercon except a little torque converter shudder. Lube Gard and regular fluid changes pretty much solves that problem.

BlueOvalFitter · #10 08-19-2003, 02:39 AM

He only stated that the E40D has more problems after a long period without a change;he did not say he had the E40D.I dont know that much about the E40D,just the AODs and 4R70Ws.But I do know you are correct about the fluid in a E4OD.

JoeCobra99 · #11 08-19-2003, 10:50 AM

I've had two high mileage vehicles experience transmission failure within a month after a fluid/filter change. A guy at an Aamco shop once told me that it was because of the varnish buildup and clutch wear. He said the new fluid is just not lazy enough and the new shift firmness and the capabilties of new fresh fluid are just too much for a worn out tranny and it just gives up. I don't know if this is accurate or not. I just know that in my case, the failure occured quickly after the fluid change. I just did a quick search on the net and did find this on an Amsoil sponsored website:

http://www.gadgetonline.com/TransFlush.htm

"When not to flush:

Before draining or flushing you should pull the dip stick and look at the fluid. If it is dark, burnt smelling, and you see little flakes or specks in it, DO NOT FLUSH IT. The fluid and transmission is TOAST, but the transmission just has not figured out it should die yet. In these cases for reasons no one has figured out yet, if you flush a transmission in this condition it will fail right away. Real strange, but that is what seems to happen. If your trans is in this condition just drive it while you save for a replacement transmission. There is no way of telling when it will fail. It might be today, next week, or next year, but it is doomed."

03f150man · #12 08-20-2003, 11:14 PM

i still say change the fluid right away. 115k is not a huge deal if the truck was used in light duty applications i.e. highway miles. if tranny is "doomed anyway" (which i dont accept) what have you got to loose by changing the fluid. I would rather risk the cost of a fluid change (not that muc h if you do it yourself) than idly sit there and see if the tranny blows. i am referring to trucks used in normal commute/light duty use. If a guy knew the truck had 200,000 miles on it and used only for pulling loaded horse trailers in hilly terrain then i would agree the tranny is probably close to dead. your truck has 110k on it. I would change the fluid, and if fluid was particularly stinky or full of debris change it again within a 1000 miles. Worth the gamble in my opinion.

mikemike98 · #13 08-25-2003, 12:38 PM

I've had a few f150s' with the e4od trans , and I 've only had
a problem with just changing the fluid, twice.

bolth times the fluid had 80 000km on it. The new fluid loosened
build up in tranny, the tranny would slip out of over drive or drive for a sec. or two at atime. it would happenwith in the first 100km.

I just replaced the fluid again and that fixed it bolth times.

Getting it flushed would avoid this, if you got the cash.