So I just hit 30,000 miles in my 2005 4.6l, and I'm starting to think about having the tranny serviced.

Anyone know how much roughly it is to have the dealer do it?

Or, has anyone ever done the BG transmission service? How did that work and how much did it cost?

 

I can tell you what the parts cost. The fluid is around $3.50-$4.00 a quart on average. The filter will run you somewhere between $15 and $20. Like anything you may be able to find better deals but that is about average. If you can do it yourself it'll be alot cheaper to do so. You will only need about 6 quarts if only dropping the pan. If you do that every 25,000-30,000 miles you'll be fine. And I'm sure you can find a buddy with a diesel who can use that old atf.
Alan

 

Don't waist you time going to FORAUD.
I just went.
$129 to drop the pan
6 quarts Valvoline Maxlife
1 screen filter.
Your out the door.

Sounds like half a change.

Hell I can suck out 6 quarts in
my driveway and refill for $30

 

I believe the manufacturer recommendation (demand) is to do a pan drop every 30K. You can easily do this yourself with 5-6 quarts of the correct fluid. The reason the dealer or anyone else may charge as much as they do is because they still take about 45+ minutes to do the job. Your gasket is reusable so don't toss it. Change the filter while you have the pan dropped. I think I paid about $18 for the WIX brand.

This is just me but I would go to walmart and buy their brand of Mercon V and do a drain/fill yourself. Then after 1000 miles, take it to the dealer and have them flush the whole thing. I prefer full synthetic atf myself.

While tranny care is often debated on what is "necessary" vs. what is "best" according to opinion, I personally see no reason whatsoever to keep 2/3 of old fluid in there. Flushing only gets you into trouble when you put lots of miles on a rig, say 100K, never service the tranny, then go to a quick change place and have them flush it with the older "backflush" machines.

Most dealers do flushes these days and consider pan dropping "old school."

I believe it is important to do both. If any "system" has a filter, that filter needs to be changed, including a transmission filter.

 

This is your chance.

Dump out your factory filled fluids and replace them all with synthetics. I also replaced the gear oil in my rear differential with Royal Purple 75W140. I had my local Ford Dealership perform the service since I wanted the work to be covered by their warranty.

A lot of debate goes into brand preference. I used Royal Purple ATF because it was readily available. My local area store carries it. I have no idea if Amsoil or Lucas is any better or worse.

I had my local dealership perform the service. They flushed the transmission with something called a MOC Machine. My owners' manual said that my transmission took 13.9 quarts. I ordered 14 quarts. However, the machine needs 16 quarts to operate. So, I had to order 2 more quarts. I supplied all fluids and the dealership supplied the labor. I was charged for 1 hour of shop time.

Ford Dealership Labor $80.

americanmuscle.com Royal Purple ATF $9.99 per quart x 16 = $159.84