I have a 2003 SuperCrew with 5.4L and 4R70W tranny. It is coming due for its 30k service. The tranny dipstick says use Mercon V fluid. Based on this I derived from the owners manual that the tranny is in fact a 4R70W (otherwise it would use regular Mercon making it a 4R100 tranny). The scheduled maintenance guide says to CHANGE the tranny fluid on all vehicles with AX4S, 4F50N, 4R100, 4F27E trannies (it does not list 4R70W). Next, it says to INSPECT the fluid on all other vehicles. I'm going to assume that my F-150 is "all other vehicles", so my question is this...How long can I drive this vehicle without changing the fluid? I do not drive this vehicle under severe conditions. I only OCCASIONALLY pull an average size bass boat and trailer no more than two or three times a year, and Ford does not consider this habit to be "severe". What signs should I notice with the tranny fluid that should cause me to change it? Will the trany shift differently, or will the fluid change colors or smell? Is my Ford dealer just trying to make money on an unnecessary fluid change? One of the service advisors there says that they are recommending fluid change on F-Series at 30k. What are your experiences out there? I could really use some input.
I recommend changing it at least every 35k on 4r70w's. Drain the converter and replace the filter while you are at it. A cooler will extend the life of the fluid to about 50k.
Alan
Ok, I should have mentioned the cooler on my tranny. It does have a factory original cooler, so are you saying I could be ok until 50k for fluid change?
yes ,but I would check it to see how it looks. If it is red and still has the stinch of mercon V don't worry about it . If it is dark or yellow change it.
Alan
Save a lot of trouble and change it NOW!!!! 15 quarts of atf and a filter are way cheaper than a torque coverter or a trans overhaul down the road. As much as these transmissions go in and out of converter lockup it takes a huge toll on the fluid.
Obviously there are differing opinions on this issue, but that's ok. So, when it comes time to change the fluid would I be better off taking it to the Ford dealer to do it? Is that cost effective compared to me doing it myself? Which is better...drain and fill or flush? Is it labor intensive? I have read on other sites that it is recommended to also remove the fluid from the tranny cooler (using compressed air) and the converter, which makes sense...otherwise the old fluid would remain in those areas and would blend with the new fluid. Obviously, a Ford dealer or a tranny shop would be the way to go for a complete flush, since it requires special equipment to do it. But if I just did a drain and refill myself would the risk of future trouble be any greater? I know I have a thousand questions here, but I would like to save money. Do I HAVE to use Motorcraft Mercon V, or would another good name brand suffice. I have heard Motorcraft Mercon V is expensive.
Originally posted by Buzzz From all I have heard change it. Trannys in general today are not made that well. Be safe.
It is not that the tranny's are not made well it's that they work twice as hard. # speed non lockup transmissions are simple. Add in overdrive and a lockup torque converter and you start having problems.
Alan
I should mention this , as I changed my own fluid not to long ago, because I've seen this here and in the owners manual.
14 Qts is the capacity of the Transmission.
It is not the refill capacity if only droping the pan and draining the Torque Converter. Guess how I found this out. (I had to jerry rig a pump to pump out a few quarts.)
It's true capacity with converter change is approx 12 qts. But I'd only got to 11 Quarts before running the trany through the gears and checking the level. Then Top it off.
Here is the procedure I used. I got it out of another tread and made appropriate changes after I did it my self.
It's for the 4R70W transmission only
Transmission Service Procedure
Yes, gasket is reusable, rubber, better than cork replacements. 30,000 miles. Pan bolts on a 4R70W are 9-11 ft-lb., for gasketed items I use an inch pound wrench and multiple ft-lb. by 12 to get required inch pound torque, because 9-11 is to light for most ft-lb. torque wrenches, and they are least accurate at the bottom.
Rubber plug on bottom of bell housing hides the TORQUE CONVERTER drain plug. Pull it out. Turn crank by putting a breaker bar with socket on the crank's bolt; turn clockwise as viewed from front. Pull it from under the truck. I mark the crank pulley with chalk, so I can see how much of a circle I have made. Just do a little move, then check access hole, again and again till you see it. I use a spot of pipe dope on the drain plug threads, but I have put them back dry without a leak. I put it back about as tight as it was initially.
When dropping out the filter, make sure it comes out with the plastic covered metal grommet, looks like a ring, attached to the top of the filter's plastic pipe. If it gets stuck up in the transmission bore, pull the grommet out with a bent paper clip held with pliers. Pull down a little on each side and rock it out, try not to scratch the bore all up. It is rare that one ever stuck up there on me, but it has happened, seems more on E4OD's.
After it’s all closed up, Put in about 7 qts. of the proper fluid, You need to check owner’s manual as to whether it is Dextron/Mercon or Mercon V. Then start it up in Park, run it 30 seconds or so to refill the TORQUE CONVERTER, then shut off and continue to fill. My 2WD 4R70W with tow was something like 12 quarts, don't remember exactly.
I drain pan all I take out, then I pour the old oil into gallon jugs to measure. That way, I can just pour that much of new oil in to get close, without worry of overfilling. Wish I'd done this
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30k mile service
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