I think doing the 8-9q pan drop, and lowering valve body to drain transmission and half the converter is the way to go. And then pop in a new filter when you put it back together. 2/3 of the system drained

If you only drop the pan you get 4-5q max changed which is roughly 1/3 of the system.

I personally dont like flush machines because they tend to over pressurize the system, plus the filter really needs to be changed out to be able to perform at its best

 

Ok, but a dealer is not going to do all that when they drop the pan. All they do is change the filter and replace the 5 or so quarts. More like 1/3 of the fluid changed.

 

I will paste the chart here later

 

I never said anything about having the dealer do it in the first place

 

blah...i hate even thinkin about my tranny as i have 31000 miles of hard towing and some abuse...i will have to see what my dealer says...im pretty sure i have the worst dealer ever...i should have got some ky with my title

 

I think you should do it all yourself. Not that hard, just buy a manual and learn something new.

 

I've been doing some thinking and I think I'm going to get my tranny flushed on Sat. I'm not going to replace the tranny filter and drop the pan but I will have it flushed with new fluid. This and oil, air and fuel I should have a piece of mind. Thanks for all the info from everyone, especially Blue Jay

 

I have a service agreement with Ford and here is what they did to My F150 @ 30000

Tire Rotation
Oil change + filter
Fuel filter
Top of all fluids
Check all hoses and connections
Change Transmission fluid 6 quarts (not a flush)
Above included in the service agreement.

New brake pads front and rear
new brake fluid (Flushed)
resurface all 4 rotors.
The brake job was $373.74

 

fuel filter, oil change, airfilter if needed - yes
coolant flush definatly no, factory is long life to 100,000 miles, once you flush it it is no longer long life(unless you use distilled water for flushing and filling, nobody does...)
trans flush or replace filter doesnt really matter, even only changing half the fluid with a pan drop and filter change every so often will be VERY safe. In fact alot of those "flush" machines do more harm then good especially ones that use chemicals other then ATF.

 

seeing as our trannys have a self destruct button in the 80-100k miles range, I would do everything possible in preventative maintenance.

just a little opinion from one of many that spent that $2500 for a new tranny.

 

No, but he did. What he needs is advice that fits his situation.

 

I guess the dilemma now is whether to have the tranny flushed or serviced (pan dropped and fluid changed)

 

one of the biggest reasons we do not use a flushing machine at the dealer is we would need to have about 3 machines..one for mercon V, SP, LV ect....makes you wonder what kind of fluid you are actually getting in your trans when an independent shop does a trans "flush" doesnt it?....

drop the pan and change the filter every 30,000 miles and you will be very safe.

 

i have read and read about the flushing side..i dont like any part of it...i would do the fluid and filter change..thats my opinion

 

i got mine done at 45k and so far no problems with it.. i havent havent been home to be able to tell if there is a difference and dont know if i will be able to bc last time i drove my truck was 6 months ago on r.r.... But got the tranny fluid flushed and filter changed. Cost like 160 or something like that