First time owner of a truck - - 2001 Screw. Due for a transmission fluid change. Advised by the dealer that they have to drain fluid also in "torque/converter/filter". Quoted $200.00 (Canadian $) (including taxes to do the job at the dealership). This seems high to me. Would appreciate any comments from anyone re: this especially Screw owners from Canada/Ontario. Email address: jdk@itcanada.com[U]

 

At my shop we perform transmission flushes. This replaces all the fluid in the trans ,converter, and cooler and lines. Very easy to hook up to the machine and takes less than a half hour. I usually get about $150 to do this with Mercron 5 trans fluid. $200 doesnt seem bad for a dealer price.---Paul

 

is availiable on this site as to how to drain out the tourqe converter and change out the filter. i just cant fathom replacing the fluid with out changing the filter...jast dont seam raiht dar boys

 

Many thanx for the comments and suggestions; much appreciated.

 

I have had mine changed 3 times in 40,000 miles -- each time with new filter and torque convertor drain/fill.

The last one cost less than $150.

Two of the three (would have been three if the dealer had followed directions and saved the filter for me) times, I disassembled the filter and am quite pleased with how few pieces of metal I saw -- and am impressed with the apparent quality of the filter.

With this knowledge, I might be talked into the flush without changing the filter, but I'd surely be quite unhappy if someone tried to charge me $150 for 30 minutes of labor and some (probably recycled) Mercon V.

 

Do it your self for $60.00 US.
13 qts of ATF
1 filter
Gasket is reusable.

Ratchet with 11, 12. and 18 mm socket
Rotate engine with 18mm socekt to see converter drain bolt.
Remove the torque converter drain bolt. 11mm socket
Remove the pan bolts. 12mm socket
Pull filter down.
Push on new filter.
Reinstall pan.
Reinstall converter drain bolt.
Add fluid.
Takes one hour.
Is your time worth $140.00 an hour?

 

My time is worth $66 dollars an hour, but my trans flush machine cost $5k so where does your math come into play? And as far as recycled Mercron V, what does that mean? If you have that little confidence in your mechanic then find another one!! I supply all of my customers with before and after samples of their ATF. And the reason I would recommend flushing the trans is for convenience and longevity of your trans. Who wants to lay on their back drop the pan and filter,drain the converter,and disconnect the lines in their driveway and make a big mess. Not to mention the old ATF you need to get rid of. Trans flush machines are a modern convenience and I dont think $150-200 is alot for that!---Paul

 

Sorry I offended you, but...

...someone that uses $66 per hour man to change oil needs to do some math.

I suspect that a shop would spend $5,000 on a machine only if it's management felt it could convince ignorant people that a flush/fill is just as valuable (and costly) as a drain/filter/fill.

Some shops use the 'cheap labor' man to change oil and fix tires; and the Tranny Man does the overhauls when the 'cheap labor' R&R's the transmission so the high-dollar talent could do the high dollar/skill work.

And lastly, I get ill even thinking of taking my truck to a place that is trying to pay off a $5,000 machine that does the work of a $15/hr lube man with $200 worth of tools.

 

I own my own repair shop. My shop rate is $66 an hour. The equipment I own and pay for is expensive. Just like any other profession those expenses effect the price of any repair. Using a trans machine is a good investment because you can not drain all of the fluid from a converter,case,lines and cooler. A machine can. If you think you can get all of the fluid out of a converter by draining it you are wrong! And I run 2 cases of NEW Mercron V through the trans to make sure that the fluid is bright pink when I am done. Each car also gets a flush additive that helps clean the inside of the lines,case,etc. And also an additive at the end to help protect the trans and seals. Myabe you have a better understanding now, or you are just to ignorant to see things in other ways!---Paul

 

Screwed I'm with you it isn't that hard to change trans fluid and to pay somebody $140 in labor to hook up a little pump does seem pretty crazy to me too.. I'll probably change mine this fall (33,000 miles currently) and to drive the truck up on some ramps and unscrew a few bolts doesn't seem so dang hard...

And as for flushing all that new fluid throught the trans and lines who cares so what if you have a half a cup of old fluid left in there I'm sure the 13 new quarts will dillute that dirty half cup down enough. Think about how many millions of people NEVER change the trans fluid and how ford must test these vehicles and I think if you change the fluid once in the vehicles life that's probably enough...

 

Think about how many millions of people NEVER change the trans fluid and how ford must test these vehicles and I think if you change the fluid once in the vehicles life that's probably enough

Well with opinions as stupid as this, I give up! Do what you want, your local trans rebuilding shop will thank you in the end!

 

We are a ford dealership with a $5000 machine, shop labor rate is $56hr. Trans flush is 89.95 if it uses non-syn. and 109.95 if it is merc.5. Call ford and ask them if they want you to drop pan and do filter, or flush. Answer = Flush.

 

jeff,

are u a mechanic at that dealership? if so, i've got a question for you...

troy

 

Kudos to jefflaws' dealership!

Too bad Jefflaw didn't post the dealer's name/address, as it appears that it provides a reasonably balanced price/service value.

 

anyone have pictures they can post showing the cover and drain
plug for the torque converter and with the trans pan dropped
showing the filter ?

Thx, TMeyers-Colorado
2001 Screw