To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

[jtexas]

'98 Explorer V6 4.0 SOHC 2WD automatic (4R55E), 100k miles. Stock trans cooler. I tow less than 2000lbs a couple hundred miles twice a month. 90k miles when I bought it, don't have the service history, don't know if it was used for towing before. No symptoms.<br /><br />Some say that flushing the system can cause problems, if it hasn't been serviced in a long time. What do the iboats experts say?<br /><br />thanks,<br />john

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

What system??????

 

[jtexas]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br /> What system??????

sorry, charlie, I mean the transmission.

 

[Mark42]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

I would suggest having a dealer change the filter and drain the torque converter rather than go to a quick oil change that uses a flush machine. On a trans with 100K on it you really should have the filter replaced. Flushing machines can cause buildup in the trans and filter to come free. Draining the trans pan and converter will not do that and removes all the oil and you get a new filter.<br /><br />For my wife's 97 Merc Mountianeer AWD it was about $110 at the dealer, and $97 at the local oil change shop. I had her take it to the dealer.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Mark.

 

[KM2]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

The DIY network has instructions and pictures of how to change the trans fluid and change the filter on a Explorer. Check it out if your handy and ambitious. It would save you a least $75. <br /><br />Anyway I have heard that that power flushing can cause problems as stated above. My Ford has a drain plug for the trans fluid so I just drain and refill. I'll change the filter when I get to 100k.

 

[DJ]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

I agree with the going to the dealer for service. They will make sure you get the RIGHT fluid put back in it.<br /><br />Ford recommends a flush, not just a drain. Almost all dealers now use flushing equipment exclusively.

 

[Mark42]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

DJ,<br /><br />Dealers had to go with flush units because the manufactures started leaving the drain plug off the converter. Another 5 cent savings, I guess. But the dealer will include the filter change, and that is a very important plus in my opinion. <br /><br />KM2,<br /><br />If you mean drain the pan, all 13 or 16 quarts of oil will not drain through the pan. Check for the drain on the converter. A bit more of a pain, but it gets all the oil out. Pick up a new converter drain plug before doing the job, because last time I did it, the converter drain plug is not re-usable (on newer models). <br /><br />With having to dispose of the oil and the time spent doing the job, I now leave this job up to the dealer. But no worries, as I have a never ending list of things to do around my place. <br /><br />Mark

 

[Mark42]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

BTW,<br /><br />The flush equipment pump in x number of quarts, depending on what the vehicle takes. The tech pours the ATF fluid into the flush, connect flush to trans cooler lines and the flush pumps ATF in one tube, pushing out the old oil from the other tube. So it is really an oil swap. The term "flush" tends to impart the idea that things are getting stirred up and cleaned out. Not so.<br /><br />Mark.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

Torque converters have not had drain plugs for years so they cannot be drained. A flush operation breaks the return line from the cooler so that as old fluid is removed from the system, new fluid is pumped in. when the entire system has been drained and filled, the pan should be removed and filter changed. Sort of like a blood transfusion only the old blood is sucked out and new stuff put in.

 

[montanaman]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

jtexas, yes you should change your trans fluid. You might want to think about an external filter kit as well, makes it easier to change and filters better. There are some that say once the fluid smells and looks burned then leave it alone because it will last longer then if you change it. I'm not sure I believe this notion. Keep your tranny clean and cool and it will last a very long time.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

What color is the fluid? Most auto parts stores and car dealers have sample trays to compare your fluid. If it still looks clean and bright red you may be okay. Fords do have picky transmissions on fluid.<br /><br />Bob

 

[roscoe]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

I had not one, but two high mileage vehicles that had never had the trans fluid changed. When I had them serviced, I had them flushed. Both trans failed within 1500 miles.<br /><br /> Just coincidence ???<br /><br />The guy that rebuilt one of them said it common and those flushes are bringing him lots of new customers.<br /><br />My two current vehicles get fluid and filter changed the old fashioned way.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

my 2k dakoda i had the dealer do a pwr flush at 94k to check out every thing b4 the warrantee expired. welll now at 103k im waitting for a trans to arrive from texas to swap it out. not third gear.<br /> my jeep with 170k dont know what was done,bought it at 150k and im not touching it.<br />mark if youve been to newton u know the dealer.

 

[montanaman]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

I'm truley surprised that automatic trannies last as long as they do. The filters are crap, and the cooling system usually isn't much better. If you are going to flush your system then do it every 30k miles. If your not sure when the last time it was services, remove the pan and drain. You'll get more cud off the magnet in your pan than the filter. If you don't service it at all then I hope you are not pulling a 6% grade when it decides it's had enough.

 

[JasonB]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

Another vote to change it here. That tranny is probably very DIY. I change the fluid in my vehicles every 30k or so, including my Ranger that is a stick. It now has 163k trouble free miles. My F-150 has a TC drain plug and I suspect your Explorer does as well. My wife's Contour is a different story. NO tranny drain plug whatsoever and the filter isn't accessible so you have to power flush it. Has to be done too, if you let it go past 30k, it shifts funny to the point of rattling the change in the dash.

 

[MrBill]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

Ford has a method of draining/flushing transmission fluid which supposedly removes a lot more of the old fluid than conventional methods. The Ford QuickLane outfits should have a demo of their results versus the 'normal' flush for viewing. I'd say 75,000 miles is time to flush the transmission fluid and change filter. Don't forget the tranny fluid serves two major purposes...cooling and lubrication. The job is about $55.00.

 

[jtexas]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

When you drop the pan wonder how much old fluid is left behind in the lines, TC & cooler? <br /><br />I heard stories like roscoe's about flushing a tranny that's waaaay overdue loosening crud without removing all of it causing failures down the road. Somebody also said the sudden pH change from old to new fluid accelerates deterioration of some rubber seals or something. Sounds fishy to me.<br /><br />One of the quick-lube places said they always drain instead of flushing once you're over 100k. Guess I'll go that route. thanks y'all!

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

Fresh transmission fluid does make a difference!<br /><br />Here's a snippet from the link below (it's for a different transmission but maybe worth investigating):<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Disconnect the transmission-fluid return line at the transmission - from where the ATF returns to the transmission from the cooler. This is the line towards the rear of the transmission. Clamp the clear tubing over the line that you removed from the transmission. This is where the fluid comes out. <br /><br />This is where the second person comes in handy. One person starts the engine, while the other holds the line over the drain bucket. A clothes pin can replace the person holding the line in the bucket. <br />Run the engine until you see some air in the clear tubing. As soon as you see air shut off the engine. Refill through the dipstick tube with the same amount as you just pumped out.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /> <br />From:<br /> http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...F_Fluid_in_a_E4OD_and_4R100_transmission.html <br /><br /><br />I've used this procedure on my F150 w/ over 100,000 miles. Recently returned from 12,000 miles of trailer towing to Alaska and back w/ never a hint of transmission problems...

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

Nick- Another, and better to me way, is the following. Remove booth the pressure and return lines from the rad. Put the pressure line into a bucket. Put the return in a NEW jug of fluid. Crank and let it run till you run out of fluid in the NEW jug. You may do this several times, most trannies take between 12 and 16 quarts, ie 3-4 gallons.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: To Flush or Not To Flush (the Transmission)

Don't use Ken's method or you will be looking for a new tranny. The return line is pressure fed from the cooler in the radiator back to the transmission where the fluid dumps directly into the pan. With the return line disconnected and stuck into a new bucket fluid, fluid will not and cannot be "sucked" back to the transmission. You therefore empty the pan. Nick's method is the best for the "do it yourselfer" but I would not wait for air bubbles to appear. This means the pump is running dry and line pressure in the transmission is dropping. You don't want either to happen.