I currently have 152K on DirtySCREW. I have NO idea if the transmission has ever been serviced. With that being said, it has been bothering me and I want to drop the pan, replace the transmission filter (with Motorcraft filter), and refill with the recommended Mercon V transmission fluid.

I am scared to death as I have read horror stories about people that start having transmission problems after they service high mileage trannys.

I have ABSOLUTELY NO transmission problems. It shifts like butter.

Will I only have potential problems if I use a flush?
Help.



DirtySCREW

 

The most I'd do is the pan 5-6qts and not a full service.


What does the fluid look like now on the dipstick?

 

Fluid is pink, looks OK.

DirtySCREW

 

Does it smell burnt?

 

I did a fluid exchange at 144K... The fluid wasn't bad at all, and I'm currently at 172K with no transmission problems.

 

I dont understand the fear. Service your transmission drop the pan and change the filter. Wait a couple of months and then go to a service place that does fluid exchange (not flush) and exchange the whole deal. Your transmission will thank you for it.

 

The 2003 does not have a drain plug in the torque converter so you can't easily drain all of the fluid (like the 2000 I used to have). My 02 had 69k on it when I bought it and now has 125k miles. I have dropped the pan twice and changed the filter and refilled the pan. I plan to do that every 30k miles or so and not change the whole 12 qts at one time. That is what I would do if I was you.

 

I'd install a drain plug so you can just drain the fluid every year. The filters will easily last 100k. that makes it easy and if you do it every year 1/3 of the fluid is always fresh. Thats how I do my POS GMC van. it came with a drain plug from the factory. One of GM's only good Ideas.

 

I did this about 5 years ago when I got tired of the mess of dropping the pan once a year.. Yes, I did that. With the plug, I drain it once a year and put 6 qts of new stuff in and call it good... 248,000 miles on the thing now...

 

IMHO, no need to fear (but understandable given everything on the e-net)...
Here's what I have done on every vehicle (auto trans) that I have owned for 30 years....

At 20k miles, I change the filter (due to possible residual/initial wear particulates that may be floating inside) and either drain the torque converter (if so equipped 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/contamination in the oil). The intervals vary depending on the type of trans, type of fluid and conditions, but in general, every 30k miles. Heat is a killer on automatic trans fluid and when we lived in the desert area, I changed the trans fluid at the end of summer every year.

In regards to filters, oem is fine, but I typically use Wix.

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

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

 

What's involved in installing a drain plug? Just drill a hole and get a specific kit that bolts inside and outside?

thanks for all the replies guys.

DirtySCREW

 

You can buy a new pan that already has a plug.

F8UZ-7A194-AA

This is the so-called "U-Haul" pan.

 

I did install a drain plug in my 02 pan. But, you don't get all of the fluid and I like to inspect the pan bottom to see what is there. i drain it using the plug and then remove the pan using my air ratchet that makes short work of the job. The gasket is permanently reusable so no new gasket is necessary.

If you install a drain plug using the kit, please buy a couple of oil pan drain plug washers that have the rubber gasket inside the inner ring. If you just use the nylon gaskets provided in the kit, it will leak. I learned the hard way as usual. Also, pay attention to where you drill the hole. I ruined a pan on my last truck by drilling it where the plug would interfere with the valve body.