What's the story w/ the trannies in these vehicles?

I told my Dad I would help him change the tranny fluid in his Mountaineer (2003, 4.6L, AWD) - at the time I assumed it would be a very similiar process as the F150's 4R70. I start looking into it, and apparently it has a completely sealed system - i.e. - no dipstick. How is one suppose to change the fluid and filter in these trannies if you don't know how much fluid to put back in, much less a place to put the fluid in?

Has anyone ever changed fluid and filter in one of these before?

Thanks

 

Nope, tried to do it with the neighbor's 03 explorer. Sucks how they screw us into forcing the dealer doing work.

Adrianspeeder

 

Best bet is to have fluid exchange done at the dealer or shop of your choice. Just make sure they refill the system with Mercon V. Prices can really vary so shop smart. Had a 14 qt. exchange performed on a Ranger for $69 at Big Ten Tires a few years ago with a coupon from the Sunday Paper. Ford dealer wants $150 for the same service. Most shops use a T-Tech machine to exchange the fluid.

 

Think of it as Ford forcing the DIY'er into getting the service done by someone who knows what they're doing.

There's a specific drain and fill procedure for the 5R55, and unless you've got something that's capable of shooting fluid into the transmission via the check plug or fill plug (depending on what year it is), and (optionally) a scan tool that can read trans fluid temperature, this service is best left to someone in the know.

 

Or they could make it so the DIY'r can do it. Whas-a-matter with a drain plug and a dipstick anymore?

Adrianspeeder

 

Prolly 'cause they don't want any flak about the DIY'er doing his own trans service and goofing it up somehow. Wrong fluid, not enough fluid, too much fluid, no fluid, and then toting it to the dealer on a flatbed, screaming that the vehicle is a piece of junk.

 

I went surfing over at: Serious Explorations (Explorer/Mountaineer forum site) and found a couple of methods that combined will work. Looks like I'll have to drop the pan to change the filter and clean the magnet, put the new filter in and reinstall the pan. Then go to the tranny cooler, take the lines off, have a small hose in new ATF and a hose in an old bucket to collect the old ATF, and then have someone run the vehicle until new fluid starts coming out. Then reattach the lines to the trany cooler and go to the oil level check plug on the tranny, and by using a threaded adapter and a hand/vacuum pump, pump a couple of quarts of new ATF in until it is overfull, then let the excess drain out the oil level check plug.

What a PIA

 

These aren't so bad. You can do two different things. You can remove the vent fromt he back of the transmission and dump fluid in from there or you can push the fluid in through the drain plug. When you remove the pan you will see the drain plug is two parts. The outer part goes up to where fluid level should be. The inner part is to let the excess fluid out and push new fluid in. To fill these after service push about 4 quarts into them and quickly reinstall the drain plug. The start the vehicle and breifly run it through the gears. Then remove the inner plug to let excess come out. If none comes out add more until it comes out. I suggest filling the transmission cold and checking the level warm. One thing is for sure there is no clean way to service these.
Alan