Transmission problems after change

[JAlexander]

Hello. I've heard that changing the fluid at a certain mileage can hurt the tranny? I was going to have a friend/mechanic change my fluid but he's said he's seen F150's get the tranny fluid changed and then not even be able to get out of the bay because it won't shift right. I've also heard that on this board. What's the culprit? Any common denominator? Since he's told me that, I'm going to have Ford do a flush and fill and if anything happens negatively, I can point the finger at them. My tranny seems to be fine but I'm approaching 100K and I don't think its ever been done. What gives?

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[Mark Kovalsky]

There is a common denominator. It's called neglect.

The transmissions that fail soon after having the trans fluid changed would have also failed at least as quick if the fluid had not been changed.

Many people don't service their trans. Then a problem develops. Now they decide to change the fluid to see if that will fix the problem. It won't, because the neglect has already doomed this trans. New fluid won't fix it, and leaving the old fluid in it won't save it, either. It's dead either way.

New fluid never hurt a trans. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. All that BS about the detergents in new ATF cleaning out deposits that are holding the trans together are just that, BS.

[Fifty150]

What's the culprit? Any common denominator?

It's called not changing the fluid. The best thing that you could do is change the fluid at regular intervals. At the very least, follow your Maintenance Schedule. According to my Maintenance Schedule (see attached), transmission fluid is changed every 30,000 miles. For a lot of us, that is every other year. So if you are suppose to change it, and you don't, then it's no wonder when your transmission goes out. Just think about it. Have you ever heard of a transmission, or fluid, that is suppose to last forever?

[JAlexander]

Im getting the tranny flushed as we speak. We'll see how it drives on the way home!

[JAlexander]

Ran like a charm when I brought it in, runs like a charm as I left. Checked the fluid. Very pink with distinct odor. Very happy.

I did get news that my steering box seal is shot hence my PS leak. $690 to fix it, lol!

[Fifty150]

I'm glad that you got that tranny fluid taken care of. Which brand of fluid did you use? Now you can join the "which brand of oil" debate.

Just remember to keep changing that fluid on a regular basis.