Ok guys i have an 02 5.4 2wd with 126k on the clock. I am the second owner of this truck and know for a fact that the transmission fluid has never been changed. What is the actual service interval and is there a risk of damaging anything if i do it now? Also what is the prefered method.

 

If the trans is in good shape new fluid can only help it. If it is damaged new fluid can't fix it.
Your truck most likely does not have a converter drain plug so a flush is the only way to get all of the fluid out.

 

So theoretically if the transmission is shifting fine it will be ok to flush it? Reason I ask is when I was in tech school they told us that after so many miles the clutch and band friction materials would have disentegrated and cone apart from the clutch and bands and absorbed into the fluid. Flushing the transmision would basically rid it of the friction material and cause a dead trans. I ask cuz I am in the diesel field and don't touch autos at all. I hope they are wrong.

 

If you remove the pan and replace the filter, clean the pan, and refill, I don't see how that can disturb anything. The 02's don't have the torque converter drain plug as I found out on mine. You will only replace about 4 qts this way but it will help.

The pan gasket is a reusable gasket that is much better than the gasket that comes with the filter.

 

Mark is right and they are wrong.

Darrin

 

Have the transmission flushed/exchanged; it's the best way and considring how fast & easy compared to trying to do it yourself, well worth it and pretty much guarantees you that all the fluid gets replaced. Usually around $150 to $200 depending on what kind of fluid you go with. I recommend going with a full synthetic.

I think Ford recommends changing the ATF every 30k miles but not 100% sure. Synthetics like Amsoil Universal is rated for 100k miles in between changes under 'normal' service conditions.

 

I do not recommend a flush if they want to use some kind of flush fluid. I would recommend a straight fluid exchange with a machine. I also question switching to a full synthetic at this point in time - I'd stick with a name brand Mercon V, not a universal fluid. Mercon V is mostly synthetic anyway and you will save quite a bit of money being that it's going to take about 14 quarts to do this.

 

Who would normally have an exchange machine?

 

See if you have a Certified Transmission or AAMCO in your area. I was going to have the wife's 05 Grand Prix done today (pan drop, filter, & flush / exchange) for $160, but found other problems I have to deal with first. Her car has 73k mi. so I think I'm safe to put it off for another 10k.

 

That's ridiculous. Many people that don't know anything about transmissions believe that, a tech school should know better than that.

 

Transmission shops, dealers, and quick lube places all have exchange machines. A lot of them will also try to sell you on a "flush" but decline that, just get the fluid exchanged, and make sure they use Mercon V, not some cheap bulk universal fluid.

 

I had mine "exchanged" at the dealer for $128.

 

Thanks fellas for all your help. Yea i paid a lil too much for my education and didnt really get a whole lot out of it like i thought i was going to.

 

Question for you guys as I've been searching and reading the trans flush/change topics. Can you bring your own fluid to an exchange shop and basicly just pay for their machine/labor? I mean if I wanted to use Amsoil or Royal Purple could I bring that to the Ford dealer or other trans shop for them to do the fluid exchange? I have 141K on mine and don't know if mine has ever been done. Is there a way for Ford to look up maybe by VIN if it has ever been in for service at any ford dealer?? I'd honestly like to know; but being the 3rd owner it hard to get vehicle maintence info. All I know is what I've done to her and what the 2nd owner TOLD me he did.----DirtySCREW

 

Next time you go by the dealer, give them your VIN and ask them to run an OASIS report.

Some shops will let you bring your own fluid, some won't. You have to ask.