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-   -   Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto? (http://www.fordrangerforum.com/4-cylinder-tech/46233-changing-transmission-fluid-2-3l-auto.html)

NewShockerGuy 11-05-2011 06:14 PM

Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
I am getting ready to change the transmission fluid on my truck because it smells a little burnt and looks brown..

I got 10qts of the ford V fluid, My friend who is a ford freak tells me I have to drop the pan to change the fluid.. which is fine, no worries. Then he says I have to drain the torque converter... Problem is I don't see an access point or drain for the torque converter.

Is there a bolt after I remove the pan that will enable me to drain the torque converter? I checked youtube and didn't see anything for the 2.3l autos...

Thanks.
-Nigel

djfllmn 11-05-2011 06:40 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
the only way i know of to drain the converter is pull it out or do a full system flush on it(that requires a machine and a trip to a dealer/trans shop)

FordDude1991 11-05-2011 06:58 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
you will never get every ounce of old fluid out, just do your best.

NewShockerGuy 11-05-2011 07:52 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
I know I won't get all the fluid out but I was told that if I only pull the pan I would only get about 4 or 5 qts of fluid out.

-nigel

Cdy291 11-05-2011 10:52 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
Do a coolant line flush. After you have dropped the pan and changed the filter, then added about 3qt to bring it back up to the proper level before starting the car. You will waste 1- 2qt with this method though so buy extra.

NewShockerGuy 11-05-2011 11:44 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Cdy291 (Post 614381)
Do a coolant line flush. After you have dropped the pan and changed the filter, then added about 3qt to bring it back up to the proper level before starting the car. You will waste 1- 2qt with this method though so buy extra.


What its this method and how its it done?
I've never heard of this before...

Thanks again,
-Nigel

NewShockerGuy 11-06-2011 12:46 AM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
Is this the return line?

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pi...ictureid=26323

Thanks,
-Nigel

Cdy291 11-06-2011 09:39 AM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
Get 2 buckets, fill one with like 7gt of fluid. Set them side by side in front of the truck. Find the coolant lines running to your radiator. Figure out which line is pumping fluid and which one is returning it (Which ever line enters the radiator at the highest point is likely the one pumping the fluid). Unclamp the rubber hose from the metal hose and add you one 5/16 vacuum line to both metal hoses. Run the pumping line into the empty bucket and the returning line to the bucket filled with new fluid. Put the key in the switch and turn to the on position, the fluid pump should turn on without having to start the engine. Run it like this until you start to see new clear fluid coming from the old fluid line. Re-install the hose and then double check the dip stick. Make sure you have a decent amount in before you ever drive, coming up to at least the bottom of the dip stick. Then go drive for 2-3 miles and when you return run the trans through all gears (1...2...d...r...n...p). Leave it running and make sure the fluid level is up into the cross hatched area on the dip stick.

NewShockerGuy 11-06-2011 10:14 AM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
This is going to sound dumb but why is the transmission fluid going through the radiator? I thought that was only for the anti-freeze? Does our ford rangers have transmission fluid flowing through that?

Thanks,
-Nigel

Cdy291 11-06-2011 11:16 AM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 

djfllmn 11-06-2011 11:27 AM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by NewShockerGuy (Post 614585)
This is going to sound dumb but why is the transmission fluid going through the radiator? I thought that was only for the anti-freeze? Does our ford rangers have transmission fluid flowing through that?

Thanks,
-Nigel

There's a seperate part of the rad for the trans cooler

NewShockerGuy 11-06-2011 12:07 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
Is this it?

I just took pictures trying to follow the two hard lines up from the trans.

(apoligies for asking such silly questions... I'm used to imports so working on an american truck is taking a little getting used to..lol But so far I enjoy it!)

I've taken these pics.

You can see the top hardline into the rad. the lower hardline is a little more difficult to see.

Top line:
http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/p...106_134500.jpg

Bottom line in the foreground.
http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/p...106_134507.jpg


Top line and directly below bottom line
http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/p...106_134539.jpg

Just want to make sure that's right. And if it is. Is there any problems removing that via the hardline. I am afraid that it would crack if I undo the fitting? Then just hook the flexible tubing to the hardline?

Thanks again for all the help!

-Nigel

Cdy291 11-06-2011 01:30 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
I don't know if you have a separate trans cooler but there should be a rubber line you can unclamp underneath the truck, right behind the bumper.

NewShockerGuy 11-06-2011 08:37 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
So I was looking and found this link:

http://www.etrailer.com/question-26594.html


He's pretty much saying that the lines are hardlines into the rad. I traced the hardlines from under the transmission and they are infact hardlines all the way up to the pictures that I took above... no rubber lines at all..

On his site he has this picture:

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/gr...u26594_800.jpg

Which looks exactly like mine but I'm running a 2.3l

-Nigel

Cdy291 11-06-2011 08:45 PM

Re: Changing transmission fluid on 2.3l auto?
 
That is a pickle. I have a separate trans cooler and the hard lines stop under the front bumper. If you got brave you could cut the hard lines then splice them back together with rubber hose and 4 hose clamps. Just don't cut them with anything that creates sparks as I would imagine the fluid is flammable.


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