Flushing the transmission

FireRanger · #1 03-19-2010, 06:43 AM

I'm going to be doing a lot of long distance driving and towing soon. My transmission hasn't been flushed in about 80,000 miles. I'm told of two methods to do-it-yourself.

1) Drain the pan, refill, drive a bit, drain the pan again, refill, drive, one more time. Seems that is easy but not going to flush it. Probably leaves a lot of old fluid.

2) Use the trans cooler lines to pump out old fluid but how the hell does new fluid get put in?

Is it worth it to drop the pan and replace the filter?

01_ranger_4x4 · #2 03-19-2010, 07:29 AM

when i flushed mine last time i dropped the pan, replaced the filter, (def replace the filter) than i put the pan back on it and filled the trans with new fluid. after i did that i disconected the feed line to the trans cooler and had my wife get in the truck and start it and i would have here shut it off after a quart was pumped out, than i would put one more quart of new in and i repeated that process untill the fluid ran clean from the cooler line.

FX4 · #3 03-19-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01_ranger_4x4

when i flushed mine last time i dropped the pan, replaced the filter, (def replace the filter) than i put the pan back on it and filled the trans with new fluid. after i did that i disconected the feed line to the trans cooler and had my wife get in the truck and start it and i would have here shut it off after a quart was pumped out, than i would put one more quart of new in and i repeated that process untill the fluid ran clean from the cooler line.

how many quarts did you end up using up (of new fluid). I need to do this soon on my ranger and I'm just curious, Thanks!

Rafal

FireRanger · #4 03-19-2010, 11:54 AM

Is not having a return feed from the trans cooler going to let some part of it run dry? Or does it dump back into the same place the filler dumps into?

01_ranger_4x4 · #5 03-19-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireRanger

Is not having a return feed from the trans cooler going to let some part of it run dry? Or does it dump back into the same place the filler dumps into?

i wasnt quite sure of that myself thats why i only did one quart at a time to be sure the trans was never starved of fluid.

01_ranger_4x4 · #6 03-19-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FX4

how many quarts did you end up using up (of new fluid). I need to do this soon on my ranger and I'm just curious, Thanks!

Rafal

i dont remember exactly how many i used, i want to say 10 quarts but i dont recall for sure.

FireRanger · #7 03-19-2010, 02:17 PM

I picked up 14 quarts of ATF and some Transmission Seafoam to dump in before. Nobody had the filter I'm not even going to bother dropping the pan. Just going to pump it out the cooler line and dump new stuff in the top.

Jimbo · #8 03-19-2010, 02:25 PM

Do your filter. If its the first time do the filter. The filter will pick up any clutch material and metal from original break in. Once you change it the first time I'd also put in a drain plug to drain for future changes. Ever wonder why some new cars don't even have pans? I got this advice from a friend who is a mechancial engineer/gearhead. Thats all he ever does on his cars and trucks. Drops the pan, changes the filter and fluid, adds a drain plug, the first time (30,000 miles) and just changes fluid after that. Also, if your torque converter has a plug you can drain the rest of the fluid out absent what is in the cooler and lines. Just some thoughts. Good luck.

DrIftKi7Vg · #9 03-21-2010, 09:33 PM

So I was wondering how to do it then... Any write up on this? It would really make my trans better in driving and it would save me a lot then to go to a shop and get it done there. Much appreciated.

NCLivingBrit · #10 03-21-2010, 09:35 PM

I would do this, but the potential for me to mess up is too big, but every actual mechanic I ask for a price tells me it will just cause slipping and it's not necessary. Do it anyway?

Vrod21 · #11 03-21-2010, 11:10 PM

Just an opinion but I like the drain, fill, drain, fill, drain, fill method. Install a drain plug in the tranny pan and drain and fill to your hearts content. 1/8" drill bit, 1/8"pipe tap, Teflon tape and 3/16" plug. Fill the last time with Mobil 1 synthetic aft.

I would say drop the pan and get a new filter if it has been 80,000 miles.