30,000 mile Tranny service

Drunkonjack · #1 10-10-2009, 02:55 PM

I'm getting ready to do the tranney service on my 06 5.4 4X4 AOD transmission . what do you guys recommend for a fluid and filter ? Do specific brands matter ?

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glc · #2 10-10-2009, 04:04 PM

I'd recommend you take it to a shop that has a fluid exchange machine. If all you want to do is a pan drop, use the same fluid that's in there - Motorcraft Mercon V. The tranny holds about 14 quarts, and dropping the pan only gets about 5 quarts out. The torque converter does not have a drain plug, they took those out sometime in 2001.

Your tranny isn't an AOD, by the way, it's probably a 4R75E. Changing the filter is not critical - it's just a screen.

Drunkonjack · #3 10-11-2009, 09:49 AM

Are you saying there is no advantage changing the filter ? I have a pump that I stick the hose from down the dipstick hole and pump the fluid out and then drop the pan.

I just don't trust the power flush thing. I have heard to many stories were trannys fail afterwards.

glc · #4 10-11-2009, 02:39 PM

Get an EXCHANGE, not a flush. That's safe - but I don't like a chemical flush either.

avfrog · #5 10-11-2009, 03:10 PM

OK! We need to get to the bottom of this subject!

I have always been nervous when it comes to tranny fluid exchanges. Some say never change it until it discolors or smells. Some say power flush every 30k. Some say drop pan only, and so forth.

Me personally, I have 48k on my 06 5.4 4x4 and have never changed fluid. My tranny fluid looks and smells normal.

DEBATE!!!

avfrog · #6 10-11-2009, 03:11 PM

Sorry Drunkonjack for hijacking, but I think this will useful to you, me, and many more.

Drunkonjack · #7 10-11-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avfrog

Sorry Drunkonjack for hijacking, but I think this will useful to you, me, and many more.

I'd like to get to the bottom of it to . In the past we have always dropped the pan and changed the filter.

I'm willing to drop the pan change the filter and add 5 qts. then take another 5 qts out with the pump and add 5 more.

My feeling is if Ford engineers put a filter there it needs changed .

glc · #8 10-12-2009, 01:53 AM

The filter is just a screen - it only catches big chunks. If it were like an oil filter, that would be a different story.

The reason exchange machines came into existence is this - the manufacturers discontinued torque converter drain plugs. A pan drop only gets about 1/3 of the fluid out, you have to drain the torque converter to get the rest out.

Another misconception - an exchange machine is PASSIVE - it doesn't pump the fluid. It's connected through a cooler line, and it exchanges the fluid with the engine running, using the tranny pump to pump the old fluid into the machine and suck the new fluid out of the machine. You can accomplish essentially the same thing without a machine using Mark Kovalsky's method. (Clickable link)

This procedure also applies to 4R70/4R75 transmissions, the quantities are different.

BlueOvalFitter · #9 10-12-2009, 07:49 PM

At 24K miles I bought a new pan from Ford and welded a 1/4" thread o let onto the pan for draining purposes.I changed the filter at that time.My Ford tech friend,who also works on trannies at his dealership,said all I need to do is drain the fluid every 10K miles and add 4 quarts.At 60K miles he said I should drop the pan again and change the filter.

avfrog · #10 10-12-2009, 10:08 PM

So what about the people that get it power flushed, and then miles later it goes out? I have heard this more than a few times. My assumption would be that the machine that exchanges the fluid with the tranny pump would be a better and saver way to go.

So when should a guy actually change the fluid? Every 30k, 50k, 100k, until it changes color and smells?

Lets go! Take off with this debate!!

glc · #11 10-13-2009, 02:11 PM

Every 30k under severe service. Under "normal" service, the book says 150k, but I think I'd do it at least every 75k.

beechkid · #12 10-13-2009, 02:47 PM

Here's what I have done on every vehicle (auto trans) that I have owned for 30 years....

At 25k miles, I change the filter and either drain the torque converter (if so equipt with a plug) or disconnect the trans cooler line at the radiator, fill the pan with fresh fluid, my wife starts the engine and when 2-3 quarts drain into a bucket, she shuts it off, I refill the pan and repeat until the fluid is clear and in case of the f150, 14 quarts of fresh fluid is in.

I change only the fluid after that (unless i determine substances in the oil). The intervals vary depending on the type of trans, type of fluid and conditions, but in general, every 30k miles.

In regards to filters, oem is fine, but I typcially use Wix or Napa brand.

In regards to trans oil, both in sticks and auto's I have always used Valvoline.

I have also never had a trans failure in any vehicle I own and typically keep my vehciles for 10+ years, with over 100k on the odometer.

f150fella08 · #13 10-13-2009, 03:17 PM

just take it to a shop and get them to hook up their machine like GLC said. the reason transmissions fail after servicing the fluid is because morons wait until the fluid is black then want to service it, transmission fluid has a detergent in it that cleans up, so if you have a bunch of gunk in the transmission from the other fluid and you put new fluid in, the new fluid goes in and starte cleaning house, causing transmission failure.

the shop hooks the lines up to a machine and circulates the fluid putting new fluid in, and holding the rest in the machine, service it at about 50k.

they dont put transmission filters in anymore so no need to drop the pan