Ive spent the last 2 hours searching and searching this site and many others and have yet to find a direct answer to my question.

If I wanted to do a fluid exchange on a 05 5.4 couldn't I unhook the return line on my trans cooler (located front of vehicle, behind bumper), run truck until 3q came out, fill 3 q back up through dip stick and repeat process until fluid is clear?

I had a tranny fluid exchange last year but I'll be making a move to oklahoma in 3 months and wanted to do another fluid exchange before the drive.

I plan on changing the filter/dropping the pan but doing that only gets 4q+ out. I read this:

http://sites.google.com/site/fordf15...nge-procedures

...and figured I could just unhook the return line from my tranny cooler up front since it would be easier to access.

My thoughts:

[1] unhook return line off cooler
[2] Run truck which would pump tranny fluid out, turn off when I reach 3q, fill 3q back
[3] do this 2-3 times
[4] On the last pump out of 3q, before refilling, drop pan (should only have 1-2q in), replace filter, refill fluid and run engine until fluid is completely clear while replacing same amount of fluid back.



Sensible?

 

I think you should drop the pan first. If you don't, the fluid coming out when you drop it will be the last fluid you put in.

 

Yes drop the pan first. I just did a fluid exchange on my truck. If you drop the pan last you'll be dumping the new fluid you just put in.

 

OK how about the line from the cooler, that idea seem ok to you guys?

Which line would you recommend? (left side/pass of cooler or right side/drivers)

 

I pulled both lines off the cooler and put 5/8 id hose(pretty sure) over the lines and into a bucket.

 

I am getting ready to do this procedure on my vehicle instead of spending the money at the shop as I have done the last 2 times I have serviced the transmission, but there are 2 things I want to make sure I understand.

1. For this procedure to work I am assuming the transmission fluid flow is pan thru filter to pump (or visa versa) thru transmission then thru cooler then back to pan? Basically the old fluid is being forced out of the system by continually using fresh fluid going in?

2. The hose to disconnect on the cooler is the passenger side hose?

 

If you pop both lines from the cooler and run lines to a bucket you can't miss...

Yes, pan --> filter --> then I belive pump --> Transmission --> pressure line --> cooler --> return line --> pan...

 

Unhook lines put on clear tubing run over to drivers door so you can watch. Start engine oil will start flowing. Watch line for an air bubble when you see it shut off engine and remove tranny pan. This will save you from a tranny fluid shower. Replace oil filter then top off with tranny oil keep running the engine and watching for bubbles. As you run the engine. Shift through the gears to flush out oil in the valve bodies. You can tell when you get fresh fluid out the clear tubing

 

when i did my fluid exchange i installed a b&m fluid drain plug so that draining the pan will be easier next time around. i installed it as is without any rtv or anything and havent had a leak since i did the exchange in august.

 

Getting ready to DIY fluid exchange on my 2005.....I haven't heard anyone mention disconnecting the return line at the junction block about 18" before the return line enters the tranny? Seems a convienient place to access........any thoughts? Experience? Also because of the volume of fluid swirling in the TC, I'm wondring how positive the flush thru the TC is?

Thanks!

 

Start the truck when cold. Place your hands on both trans cooler lines. The inlet to the cooler will warm up first. Then you know the other one is the return to the trans that should be disconnected and drained to a collection pan.

 

Thanks, but I know which line it is......the junction block just seems the most logical place to drain from........

 

Quick easy trick to draining trans pan with out a plug, not making any mess at all and installing a perminent drain fitting.

1. ID spot on pan where you want to add a plug
2. Using a drill motor as a driver, run a self tapping screw into the pan and leave it there for now, since it's plugging the new hole.
3. Set your drain pan in place and remove the screw. All oil drains into pan. (I didn't lose one teaspoon full when I did it).
4. When done draining, put screw back in hole
5. Remove pan and filter and clean everything up
6. Remove self tapping screw and install new perminent drain plug fitting where you just punched the hole in the pan.
7. Install new filter and re-install pan with new perminent drain fitting.
8. Refill trans fluid

Now you can proceed with your remaining flush as outlined by the others AND you have a drain fitting in your pan for future drains..

 

I tried to put a drain plug on the end of the pan of one vehicle because I didn't want the plug hanging down maybe catching on something and getting ripped off. There wasn't room for the nut on the inside. It interfered with the valve body. I went to the dealer and bought a new trans oil pan.
So, drilling a hole anywhere may not be advisable. Maybe anywhere on the bottom of the pan is ok.

 

The drain plug mounted on the backside the little sump depression on the pan worked just fine on my '04. Configuration may be different on your '02. Don't know.