My 97 f150,4.2, auto, has 30,000 miles. How much approx. does it cost to change the fluid at the dealer and is this really necessary? Thanks, chodie

 

Prices vary from service center to service center. You'll just have to call around and "shop" for the best price.

Just make sure they are doing the same work. Some places only change the fluid while other change the fluid and filter.

Neal


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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player.

1993 4x2 F150 Reg. Cab LWB- 5.0L, cat-back dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, Superchip, fresh paint, and Line-X bedliner.
http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

The dealer where I bought has two prices. One for dropping just the pan and another if the also drain the torque converter. When I asked the parts department for a new plug for the torque converter they didn't have a clue of what I was asking for. I guess they spend too much time behind the counter and not enough actually looking at the parts on the trucks.


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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, 4.6, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs

 

They not only drain em they flush them as well and put in a new filter. I think it was aout 80 bucks or so when I had mine done about six months ago at 30K.

 

I work in a Jiffy Lube shop in MN and they do it there they do it with a flush machine and it does a great job it get out all of the fulid and when you only drop the pan your going to get out only about 5 to 6 qts when the flush is done you get all the fluid and there is about 12 to 15 qts in the hole tranny that includes the pan, valve train and the converter, and the tranny cooler if it has one. so I would do the flush on it. At the shop that I work at the price is $89.99 to do it...

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99 F150 x-cab ORP bright red
crom rocker pannels
flowmaster
tunnel cover
putco bed rails
lund bug guard
headlight covers
in-dash cd player

[This message has been edited by MN99F150 (edited 09-16-1999).]

 

Hey Ellenberger
Within the next few thousand miles I am going to change the transmission fluid in my truck, how do you go about draining the torque converter?

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1997 4x4 5.4 ORP XLT extended cab Dark Toreador red Westin nerf bars tint HARDER THAN A ROCK AND FASTER THAN A HEART BEAT

 

I think there's a drain plug in the TC. If so, you can get to it via the access port on the bottom of the bell housing (usually has a rubber plug). The trick is getting the TC spun around so the drain plug is accessible. It can be done.

Neal

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player. Just added Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars!!

1993 4x2 F150 Reg. Cab LWB- 5.0L, cat-back dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, Superchip, fresh paint, and Line-X bedliner.
http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo]http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

nomo got it right. There is a rubber boot at the bottom of the bellhousing and form there you can see the torque converter. You may have to turn it by hand but you can get the plug to the bottom so the trans and torque converter can be drained. The torque converter will refill itself when you start the engine while filling the transmission.
Make sure you have a full supply of trans fluid ready. I had a buddy take me back to the auto parts store for 3 more quarts.


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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, 4.6, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs

 

Someone here said that the manual says NOT to use the torque converter drain plug over. They also went on to say that although that part was inexpensive, the parts guy he dealt with had a hard time finding the part and tried to sell him a bunch of parts he didn't need. Food for thought!

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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, white/sliver, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt Nerf Bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, K&N Filter and Carbon Fiber Bug Gaurd. Rigged the fog lights too.

 

I always re-use the torque converter drain plug. That is, if the vehicle I'm changing the transmission fluid on has one. They usually have a square head and fine threads like pipe threads. To keep the drain plug from leaking when you re-install it, just coat the threads with a non-hardning sealer like permatex #2. If you disconnect your ignition lead so the motor won't start, you can lay under your vehicle while someone "bumps" the starter until the drain plug lines up with the access plate or access boot. If you have a remote starter button and cable to hook to your starter solenoid you can do it by yourself without having someone else "bump" the starter. The problem with shops that use the flushing machine is most of them don't drop the tranny pan and change the filter.

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2000 F-150 4X2 XLT Ext Cab Flareside (Black w/dark graphite) Sport Package, 5.4L, Auto, 3.55 Limited Slip, Keyless Entry, Tow Package, Pwr Seat.

1999 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4X2, Tropic Green/Tan... Every Option.

1997 Harley Davidson, Springer Heritage...Lots of goodies.




[This message has been edited by SPORT2000 (edited 10-04-1999).]

 

We have a machine that hooks up to your transmission line by the radiator. With the vehicle running the fluid is pumped into the machine and new fluid is pumped in, "FLUSHING" your entire system. Torque converter, lines, cooler, everything. We usually run 20 to 24 quarts through to get a good flush. About every 30,000 or so is good. I would do it to mine (35,000) but I only have 7,000 on the new trans and it was flushed when the trans was done. It really is the best way, and the way Ford reccommends.

 

You can do this yourself with a bucket. Pull of one of your tranny lines and run it into a bucket. Start the vehicle and add tranny fluid as the vehicle is running.

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1997 F-150, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar, and Lots of TLC!!

 

I am reading all about the drainign of the torque converter...is this applicable when changing the fluid on a manual?

 

No it isn't.

Manual transmissions do not have torque converters.

Mark

 

The T.C. plug is a pipe thread and is an actual plug that you can get from the hardware store. It's best to replace the plug because it is tappered and it seals as you tighten it. The one I installed was like the original except I could only find it in brass.

[This message has been edited by QuickerPickerUpper (edited 02-12-2001).]