Thanks. I'll take a look.

I was just about to price out the fluid, filter, gasket, etc. to compare prices. If they drain the converter and the price is close, I'll just have them do it.

 

Went to a quick lube place. All they do is stick a tube down the dipstick tube, suck out the fluid all the way and replace it. The dealer connect their machine to the cooling lines and backflush it before refilling it. Neither one pulls the pan or replaces the screen/filter, but at least the dealer flushes it unlike the quick lube place.

A gasket and screen/filter are about $14 at Advance, but how much fluid can I change out?

 

if you dont have a drain plug in the torque converter you can only get the fluid in the pan. The way i'd do it in that case is i'd have them do the flush and fill then some time later i'd do the pan and filter myself. I still have the drain plug in my 99 I can do the whole thing in my driveway in about an hour. Its a shame ford took the plug out of the converter. If you ever get a trans overhaul make sure to get a converter with a plug..

 

How do you refill the converter when drained? I've always filled it when installing one, as I didn't think they were self priming/filling.

I had the dealer do the flush yesterday. $203 out the door. OUCH!!

I'm tempted like you said to pull the pan, clean it and/or replace the screen and add a magnetized drain plug.