First transmission drain and fill.

[Porpoise Hork]

Thank you for this. I've ordered the kit.

For some reason I thought we had 100K intervals or something. Mine really shifts pretty rough these days. It's also a big fast heavy truck so I should have taken it more seriously.

Someone else mentioned it only costing $175 at the dealership so I considered that option and called them and they told me it starts at $450 and goes up from there. So I prefer to spend $500 and have the optional pan and do it myself.

Does one need to swap the filter every time as that would make the drain irrelevant?

With the PPE pan you could do a drain/fill every 30K (or more frequently if you like) and replace the filter screen at 60K. Hardest part would be filling it back up to the correct level.

Sponsored

 

[TheGoatman]

Thank you for this. I've ordered the kit.

For some reason I thought we had 100K intervals or something. Mine really shifts pretty rough these days. It's also a big fast heavy truck so I should have taken it more seriously.

Someone else mentioned it only costing $175 at the dealership so I considered that option and called them and they told me it starts at $450 and goes up from there. So I prefer to spend $500 and have the optional pan and do it myself.

Does one need to swap the filter every time as that would make the drain irrelevant?

When the dealer does it, most of the fluid gets changed. The cooler, lines, and trorque converter too. Pan drains will need increased frequency to get the % of fresh fluid up there. Pick your poison

 

[Nw150]

Ford's recommended interval on the 10R80 is between 60-100K miles for normal daily use. If you do a lot of towing or commercial use then it's recommended to change it at 30K. There's no issue with changing it at 30K if you don't drive it hard providing the place that does the job does it correctly and fills it to the right level.

NEVER let anyone perform a flush on it!!!

Only have the filter changed and topped off. The flush will kick up any sediment that is in the pan and can really mess up the valve body.

If there's one conclusion I've drawn from everything I've read it's to not get a flush!

 

[Nw150]

Do it around every ~35K miles.

The first time you do it, install an aftermarket pan with a drain plug so you don't have to drop the pan every time you want to drain & fill.

This is the kit I used on my'21 F150:

10R80 OEM Ford Transmission Service Kit & PPE Brushed Deep Pan For 201 – Rudy's Performance Parts

I also did the same with the rear diff (PPE rear diff cover with drain plug). Not sure which diff you have, so just order the correct one. Here is the cover only (no fluid) for the Super 8.8:

PPE Brushed Aluminum 8.8" 12-Bolt Rear Differential Cover For 15-22 Fo – Rudy's Performance Parts

Don't forget to drain and fill your transfer case and front diff as well (to hard to replace that front diff cover, so just drain with a hand pump and refill).

I actually have their standard capacity pan that I had on the 24' Ranger I traded in for this F150 and kept the pan. I'll install it when the time comes to do the drain and fill which from what most people are saying will be around 30k miles.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Edited, I called my local dealer. They quoted me $331 to reach a hard to reach drain plug on the side of the transmission and add 5 quarts back in. They said that a flush is not safe on this model.

When I swap the pan, is there no trans dipstick? Do I just add back in 7 quarts and hope for the best?

 

[FirstFord]

If there's one conclusion I've drawn from everything I've read it's to not get a flush!

There is a difference between "flush" and "fluid exchange", and I am guilty of incorrectly comingling the terms and using them as if they were the same process. "Flush" has potential to be damaging to the transmission; whereas "fluid exchange" is painless to the trans, and is the method most dealers utilize.

 

[FirstFord]

So confused. Should I do a flush, or not?

^^ SEE above^^

 

[Nw150]

So confused. Should I have the dealer do a flush, or not?

If I swap the pan, is there no trans dipstick? Do I just add back in 7 quarts and hope for the best?

Just drop the pan which is probably about 6-7qts (at least for the two 10R60s I've done) and refill. You'll need to get a hand pump from somewhere like harbor freight or hardware store to transfer the fluid. I don't personally know how guys get the transmission up to 215ish* to check the fluid level so I basically just drive around for 10-15 minutes and come back and check the level, then add until I get it to at least the bottom of the specified range, which I believe for these is between 5-6.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Just drop the pan which is probably about 6-7qts (at least for the two 10R60s I've done) and refill. You'll need to get a hand pump from somewhere like harbor freight or hardware store to transfer the fluid. I don't personally know how guys get the transmission up to 215ish* to check the fluid level so I basically just drive around for 10-15 minutes and come back and check the level, then add until I get it to at least the bottom of the specified range, which I believe for these is between 5-6.

well, there is a procedure that will warm the transmission, but you can also put it in gear and sit & wait. But either way you go about it, getting a transmission up to temperature is a pain in the ass.

 

[FirstFord]

Just drop the pan

The few dealers that I have had conversations with recommend dropping the pan ONLY if you are replacing the filter. Otherwise, leave the pan intact and use a vacuum pump to remove the fluid (and the same pump can be used to reinstall the fluid).

 

[TexasTruck]

So confused. Should I do a flush, or not?

^^ SEE above^^

That minded me of a saying we have for a septic tank….
If it’s yellow, let it mellow, if it’s brown “flush” it down….

 

[FirstFord]

That minded me of saying having a septic tank….
If it’s yellow, let it mellow, if it’s brown “flush” it down….

Ah yes.... and still living that today....

 

[MTMan]

I just measured what I vacuumed out and then using a funnel and nylon tube filled it back with the same amount. I saw Ford tech makuluco recommended fluid drain and refill at 30k and 1st filter change at 60k.

 

[TheGoatman]

There is a difference between "flush" and "fluid exchange", and I am guilty of incorrectly comingling the terms and using them as if they were the same process. "Flush" has potential to be damaging to the transmission; whereas "fluid exchange" is painless to the trans, and is the method most dealers utilize.

That’s what I ask for. Fluid exchange.

same pressures and direction as the trans sees every day.

Pressure flush, reverse flush = bad. I don’t think a dealer would even do those if you asked. A lube shop…yes.

 

[TheGoatman]

well, there is a procedure that will warm the transmission, but you can also put it in gear and sit & wait. But either way you go about it, getting a transmission up to temperature is a pain in the ass.

Does flashing the converter a bit work on these?

Sponsored