First transmission drain and fill.

[roadPilot]

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

Yup, and the circulate all the crap that has built up all through your valve bodies and every nook and cranny of the transmission, often resulting in problems you didn't have to begin with.

Just say NO to flushes.

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[roadPilot]

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?

If you are installing an aftermarket pan:

1. Make sure it has a drain (like an oil drain plug on the engine). That way you can quickly drain and refill without making a mess.

2. Drain & fill means you're only replacing SOME, not all, of the ULV. That's OK. The truck will still thank you.

3. No (long) dipstick, OEM or aftermarket pan. It's a stubby little dipstick you access on the passenger side of the trans. Refilling is a pain, but you can use a hand pump like this and get it done:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DB88Q37D

4. Do NOT rely on "put back in the same amount you took out". That assumes the level was correct when you drained it (wrong). And if you install an aftermarket pan, most are larger and hold more fluid. You always want to replace the fluid per Ford direction (different based on which dipstick it has).

Yes, that means you have to get it up to temp then check/add fluid until it's between the appropriate marks on the dipstick (I *think* mine was between 5 and 6 when at 205F temp).

While checking the level and adding, each time you shift between P to R to D to R to D to P for a few seconds each. That makes sure the fluid is making it's way through all the tunnels in the trans.

Trans fluid expands went heated, so it's important not to overfill (or underfill). Youtube is your friend -- there are a bunch of really good vids on doing the trans fluid R&R and I even found one that was for replacing the OEM pan with a PPE pan.

$331 to put 5 quarts in the transmission? That's crazy.

 

[MTMan]

Funnel and tube filling from engine bay is the easiest way without a lift imo.

 

[roadPilot]

d dropping the pan ONLY if you are replacing the filter. Otherwise, leave the pan intact and use a vacuum pump to

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).

Agreed. If you are replacing the pan with an aftermarket pan @ ~35K or whatever, you change the trans filter. Then you're good for multiple trans fluid drain and fill (made simple with the drain plug) for quite a long time. I would have no problem not changing the filter again for another 100K or more miles even though I was changing the fluid every ~30-35K or so.

 

[roadPilot]

False. Fluid exchange. This is the method 10s of thousands of GMs were recalled to change to the updated fluid for the torque converter shudder. No trans failure epidemic. You’re getting confused with a different procedure.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163890-9999.pdf

the trans doesn’t see anything different than I would going down the road so not sure where you’re thinking the sediment is getting kicked up. You’re not increasing pressure to flush. you’re certainly not reverse flushing. You’re only taking out the old fluid and putting in new fluid.

the procedures you’re thinking of is a reverse flush or a flush that increases pressure to intentionally dislodge crud

I'm not force circulating any old fluid either way -- especially if people do what most people do and wait until 100K or 120K miles to do the first one. No thanks. The dealerships do it so they can eff up transmissions and force people to by new ones and charge people $400 for the privilege of making them pay $10K for a transmission job. I know people who have gone in for a 'fluid exchange' and had problems not long after. Hard pass for me.

 

[TheGoatman]

I'm not force circulating any old fluid either way -- especially if people do what most people do and wait until 100K or 120K miles to do the first one. No thanks. The dealerships do it so they can eff up transmissions and force people to by new ones and charge people $400 for the privilege of making them pay $10K for a transmission job. I know people who have gone in for a 'fluid exchange' and had problems not long after. Hard pass for me.

I agree. I wouldn’t change the fluid at that mileage either way.

There is no forcing though, the pump in the trans is the only thing moving fluid…like it always does. I get your point it does depend of the competency of the mechanic to set the machine dial to flow and not flush.

 

[MJG44]

I'm at 69k miles and doing tranny drain/fill and coolant flush for the first time.
Don't drive mine hard, in fact, im still on the original break pads which still have serviceable life.

 

[roadPilot]

I agree. I wouldn’t change the fluid at that mileage either way.

There is no forcing though, the pump in the trans is the only thing moving fluid…like it always does. I get your point it does depend of the competency of the mechanic to set the machine dial to flow and not flush.

Yes, and I do agree moving fluid forward (normal direction) is safer, per se. Maybe I'm old school, but I just don't trust that process. Drain and fill for me.

 

[roadPilot]

I'm at 69k miles and doing tranny drain/fill and coolant flush for the first time.
Don't drive mine hard, in fact, im still on the original break pads which still have serviceable life.

Just traded in my '21 F150 with ~86K miles. Did a BUNCH of service stuff (all fluids), including Powerstop Z36 drilled/slotted rotors and ceramic pads only a few thousand miles ago. The OEM brake pads were thick as a brick -- I bet they would have lasted another 50K miles or more!

 

[Lead Foot PowerBoost]

On one hand I would like to do a drain and fill in my garage. Someone talk me into it. I do my own oil changes and have done brakes and struts before. But I don't know, this is probably one I'm happy to pay a dealer to do. Getting up in that tight space where the plug is with the super hot cat right next to it? And forget about dropping the pan in the garage. I watched the Malucca video. What an absolute mess.

Would it be bad if you pumped a little air into the tranny with that Amazon hand pump?

And I wonder if the dipstick is accurate with the truck up on Rhino ramps.

 

[FirstFord]

A lot of DIYers on this forum, and many have done it themselves. Still others believe it is easier, less hassle, and safer to pay a dealer. Your call.

IF you do it yourself, do yourself a favor and buy some heat proof/resistant elbow length gloves before you do anything. And yeah, the vehicle should be level.

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