Okay, besides the do it yourselfers out there, who has used a place other than FORD for their tranny fluid change or flush?

Good/bad results? Price? Chain or local?

I called today, two dealerships stated they don't install tranny temp gauges and a flush/change filters would be $180, just a change fluid and filter about $150.

Recommended flush/change because I tow occasionally. Little steep if you ask me.

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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs

 

I had my trans fluid, filter,including torque converter, changed at my local gas station. They charged me $30 labor. I brought the filter ($16) 15 qts, of Mobil-1 trans fluid ($4.99-qt), and I had them change my pan to one with a drain plug ($36-at Ford dealership)

 

I took my truck to a Pennzoil quickie oil change place. They did a respectable job (I watched them like a hawk). They replaced the filter, flushed the converter, and topped off with new oil. I did catch them when they overfilled it with oil. I made them correct their mistake (much to their annoyance) and refill to the proper level.

I checked around and found that all the quickie places were charging the same price around $80. Still much less than what the dealer quoted me at $138.

 

I just had Nick's tranny fluid changed today. Cost around $138 or so. I brought the filter home for disassembly and here's my report:

The filter is Big -- is actually a fibrous mat folded into the shape of a bag thru which all incoming oil flows. It appears to trap 100% of anything big enough to cause me concern.

Since I have just 12,000 miles on the clock, I wasn't expecting much in the way of particles -- and was happy to find few shavings or specks securely trapped in the filter element.

Every automatic transmission I ever took apart -- or saw taken apart -- had very fine graphite-looking contaminant glued to the bottom of the pan. In this case (since I did not see Nick's 'operation' -- I could only inspect the remains of the filterectomy -- and, sure enough, I could draw my name in the graphite-looking particles which had gravity-glued themselves to the bottom of the inside of the filter's can.

I only wich I had thought to take a flat magnet for insertion in the drip pan -- but I guess that will wait for another 12K.

If I can scare up a digital camera, I'll post pix of the filter.

I've been in the habit of using an oil-sample pump to draw out a gallon of tranny fluid thru the dipstick tube -- and refilling with fresh fluid every year or so -- and, based upon the condition of the filter (not merely a mesh 'screen' good for catching only Rocks/Rags/Wrenches left inside, I will not feel guilty for not changing the filter.

Does anyone else have any other observations?

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Y2K™ Jim Gorka

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Jim,

Ford puts a magnet in the pan on all their automatics. It's already in their catching the steel particles that are normal wear in an automatic.

Mark

[This message has been edited by Mark Kovalsky (edited 08-05-2000).]

 

Hey, Thanks, Mark! I feel much better. It also explains finding fewer filings than I had expected.