Transmission Service

[letsrun100]

We've all changed our engine oil and filter, but have you changed your transmission fluid and transmission filter yourself? How much trouble is it? Are there any online DIY guides. I have a 2001 F-250 and want to try it myself, but would like a little advice first.

Thanks.

 

[Mike]

Welcome to Oilburners!!​

The following article is lifted from our sister site SuperDutyDiesel and the wiki located HERE.




1: Getting Started

• The transmission system holds almost 18 quarts of ATF, and you must waste a couple of quarts to be sure you get it all purged and replaced, so buy 20 quarts of MERCON ATF (do NOT buy MERCON V!).Ford also warns against using a fluid that has a dual MERCON and MERCON V rating. You may use either conventional or synthetic, as long as it meets the above requirements.
• A 10 foot length of clear tubing and one hose clamp, sized to fit over your cooler hose. There have been different size cooler lines over the years, so check before buying!
• If you don't already have a special funnel that fits into the transmission dipstick tube, then you will need one of those, too.

2: Drain the pan, then replace and tighten the drain plug.
3: Pour 7 quarts of new ATF into the filler (dipstick) tube.
4: 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 old ATF from the torque convertor and coolers will come out.
5: 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.

• a: Run the engine until you see some air in the clear tubing. As soon as you see air shut off the engine.
• b: While the engine is running in step 5a above, move the shifter through each position from P to 1, pausing about 5 seconds at each position. This will change some fluid that would otherwise be trapped in the valve body, accumulators, and clutches.
• c: Refill through the dipstick tube with 6 quarts of new ATF. (That's 13 quarts total so far).

6: Repeat step 5a thru 5c (That's 19 quarts total so far).
7: Remove the clear line and reconnect the cooler line to the transmission.
8: Check the fluid level and use the last quart of ATF to top off.
9: Properly dispose of the used transmission fluid.

The above process should change about 95% of your old fluid.
Now would be an excellent time to switch to Mobil 1 Synthetic, and install a Magnafine inline transmission filter.

 

[Oilslinger]

TO CHANGE OR NOT TO CHANGE?

Is it really worth it to change just the oil and not the filter in your trans ? WATZ YOUR OPINION

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

cheang mine every 30k *** recomend my customers do the same.

 

[Mike]

Is it really worth it to change just the oil and not the filter in your trans ? WATZ YOUR OPINION

I wouldnt go through the headache of pulling the pan and NOT changing the filter, although I think the tranny filter is just more of a pick up tube than an actual filter, I still change it every time.

 

[Mike]

cheang mine every 30k *** recomend my customers do the same.

I do mine anually, which is usually less than 30K.

 

[letsrun100]

I agree, change the filter too. Anyone have step by step instructions?

Also, any information regarding the 2001 model transmission repairs? I've heard that was a bad year. I have 122K on mine and it runs fine (knock on wood).

 

[Mike]

I agree, change the filter too. Anyone have step by step instructions?

UHHH....HERE?

Also, any information regarding the 2001 model transmission repairs? I've heard that was a bad year. I have 122K on mine and it runs fine (knock on wood).

There was nothing wrong with the 01 model year 4R100 if properly maintained and not abused. A shift kit like the sonnax or similar helps alot with the mushy shifts though.

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

heck my 95 got changed 4 times in 50 miles, 1}i changed it just because the truck was new to me .2}then when I put a reausable gasket on a no reusable gasket pan,i had to drain it3} when it puked it all out along the road, had to add 22 qts total to go 1 mile. 4} when dropping said transmission to change convertor..
now the pan i leaking and # 5 will be soon. this time it gets a new pan with a drain , and a reusable gasket.

 

[trackspeeder]

I agree, change the filter too. Anyone have step by step instructions?

Also, any information regarding the 2001 model transmission repairs? I've heard that was a bad year. I have 122K on mine and it runs fine (knock on wood).

Early 01 build date 7-37-2000 to 3-23-2001 have the Mechanical Diode one way clutch. They were known to fail. They replaced that design with the Spag one way clutch.

Your 01 will have a drain plug on the torque converter.

 

[letsrun100]

Tranmission service

I had my fluid and filter changed today. I watched the guy do it so I could do it myself next time. Piece of cake!!

I'm afraid I may have made a mistake though, and I hope it's not too late. I was asked if Mercron V was okay. He's the mechanic, not me - why would he ask me? He advised me that he's used it for years and not had any problems. Now I'm reading on this and other forums that Mercron V is bad and that I should have used Mercron. Sure enough I looked in my maintenance book and it says to use only Mercron, and specifically NOT to use Mercron V.

I called two different Ford dealers, one said I should use Mercron, the other said "SPF" (whatever that is) NOT Mercron. The local AAMCO told me they use a bulk fluid with additives to bring the fluid up to manufacturers specs. What's up? Am I in serious trouble here?

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

actually mercon V is slowly replacing mercon,
straight from the trans guy, he says mercon V is better, than mercon and will hold higher temps and is a partial synthetic.
put it in my customers $4000.00 e40d and will start using it in all .

 

[sassyrel]

be careful-------wrong fluid--and you may be rebuilding the trans---why----?????? because the wrong fluid may break the glue bond on the clutches--its happened to a few people--------your call--------

 

[trackspeeder]

It's ok to use Mercon V.