Hi, I recently bought a 2003 Ford Ranger 2.3l with manual transmission 2wd (136000 miles).

Today I wanted to check the transmission fluid level so I loosened the FILL plug and to my surprise quite a substantial amount of oil came out of the FILL plug. More was coming out if I hadn't put back the FILL plug. Most likely explanation for this?

I haven't even changed transmission fluid on a car before so I wanted to be extra careful and ask for advice here before I touch it again.

I just changed the tranny fluid on mine over the weekend and the exact same thing happened. Not sure as to why, but it's likely mine has been that way since I've owned for the past 4 years.

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2007 XLT Supercab 4X4 V6 4.0L SOHC 5 Speed
285/75/16 Ironman A/T's on M/K Classic Baja's
PA 3" Body Lift - 2" Tbar crank
Thrush Welded 17651 muffler
Blue painted interior - Blue headlight mod
Blinker mod - Throttle cable mod
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Was the truck hot when you checked the level?


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Early 1994 extended cab 5speed manual 4x4 hubs came 3.0 v6 with dizzy

The truck was somewhat warm. I let it stand for an hour after driving it. Could that simply have been the reason?

Maybe it was overfilled?

I wouldn't really worry about that tbh.

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My Build Thread

I see. Thank you!

Also, while I have the chance to ask: since I don't know the history of the truck is it safe to put the new Mercon V fluid in the transmission without doing a complete flush?

If anyone has any thoughts about this let me know. I know Mercon V is "backwards compatible" with Mercon. The fluid that came out of the FILL plug was red if that helps.

I'd use what is spec'ed for it in the owners manual. If it calls for Mercon, I'd look for a TSB on bbbind.com that is applicable to your vehicle, and that advises Mercon V is now the accepted replacement for Mercon.

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

Thank you for your response. Yes, Mercon V seems to be the most common answer. I guess my worry is that the previous owner put something completely different in the transmission since I noticed that he had not put the correct coolant.

Maybe I should not worry about it and just put some fresh oil in there?

My response is unchanged, determne the spec (manual) and see if it's current (review TSB's).

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

Appreciate it!

by the way, for a manual trans, you don't really need to flush anything. just drain and fill. flushes are kinda for auto trannys with a torque converter full of fluid too, since you can't really get to all the fluid in there

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

I see! Thank you. I was planning to cycle the fluid replacement by draining and filling three times, is that reasonable?

I'd say just drain and fill just once, and enjoy it until some day a year or so from now that it crosses your mind to do it again lol! I'm that way with brake fluid and power steering fluid haha!

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Actually, It would have to be incredibly dirty or sludgy for me to drain and fill more than once. I'm pretty sure your trans is a 'slush box' like mine lol

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Oh yeah, get a little hand pump with tubing to refill it. Like 7 bucks on amazon

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Or do like I did and cut a 3 foot section of garden hose, then cut about 2 inches off of a long neck funnel and thread it over the frame and fill it by standing outside the truck, lol.

I didn't realize until AFTER I drained the old fluid: shit! How am I gonna fill it? Redneck ingenuity, that's how, lol.

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2007 XLT Supercab 4X4 V6 4.0L SOHC 5 Speed
285/75/16 Ironman A/T's on M/K Classic Baja's
PA 3" Body Lift - 2" Tbar crank
Thrush Welded 17651 muffler
Blue painted interior - Blue headlight mod
Blinker mod - Throttle cable mod
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