which is the return line?
 

I have a 2003 edpedition with 5.4 and the 4R70w trans

Want to pump out all the fluid since there isn't a drain bolt on the torque converter.

Was thinking I could put a long hose on the end of the return line at the tranny, pump the fluid out till it gurggles, then drop the pan, and change the filter.

Anyone know which line on the side of the tranny is the return line?

Thank you

just pull the pan. I think the fluid in the lines will drain back into the trans, and out the bottom, but i could be wrong.
-Patrick

its the top one on mine. yours is probably the same or similar, mine 4r70w though. i did the flush on mine, using the return line to catch old fluid and adding new as the old pumped out at the same rate. doesnt have to be perfect, but when you done, just make sure its at the correct level.

Yes sorry to say ya are, dropping the pan only gets a third of the fluid. Most of it is in the TC which doesn't drain unless you have a pre 02 that has a drain.

Adrianspeeder

yah ive pulled a TC out of a 4L60E camaro ss, and it took us forever to drain the TC.
So at some point here soon, ill be flushing my trans, you think i should do it like they are and just keep running the system to pump the old fluid out?
-Patrick

Adrian, Question for you...
 

Yeah, I wish Ford would have left the drain plug in the TC's Anyway, how much fluid do you think I'll get out by pumping it out from the return line where it connects to the tranny? I was going to slip a hose over the end of the return line at the tranny and let it pump till it gurggles. Also, should I do this with the trans in Park, Neutral or Drive?

Thanks all, I really appreciate all the knowledge and expertise on this site.
Patrick

I did it in park and it pumped most of the fluid on the '02, so you got it right. My 4R100 holds a lot more fluid though so I needed two cases of Mercon. Be sure to use Mercon V in your 70w.

Adrianspeeder

Here's how I've been changing trans fluid:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/i...nsmission.html