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Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
#11762983
08/07/16 02:52 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785
Bob Davis
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Bunkeroid Bob
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OP
Bunkeroid Bob
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785 |
79K on my 2011 F150 Lariat. Getting some preventative maintenance done tomorrow. I have not done anything to the transmission yet and it has no problems there. One Service advisor at the Ford Dealer says a transmission flush would be good, Another says he wouldn't do it. The advantage of a flush they say is that it will purge the old fluid from the torque converter. But if there are particles in the filter they just go back into the pan, where they can just get pulled back into the filter. The Ford Dealers won't pull the pan and change the filter. Too many problems getting the pan back without leaking.
In older days, I took my vehicles to S&L transmission shop in Garland every 30K miles and they would drop the pan, change the filter and that seemed to be good. They had a good reputation.
But S&L is gone.
So, does "If it is not broke, don't fix it" apply?
Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11762992
08/07/16 02:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,192
Anchorman
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,192 |
I have a 2011 F150. This is my first Ford Product. I have 120k on mine. I've been told by the guys at the quick lube place to leave the transmission alone and not service it. Sounds crazy to me. I used to be a mechanic and have seen what 120k trans fluid looks like. The friction modifiers in the fluid have to be broken down. But I guess I'll just keep driving it until it breaks. I've had several tell me not to have it serviced.
If it ain't yours don't mess with it! Need a friendly place to talk hunting? www.talkhunting.com
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Anchorman]
#11763030
08/07/16 03:18 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785
Bob Davis
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Bunkeroid Bob
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OP
Bunkeroid Bob
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785 |
Thanks. I am leaning the same way. May as well just wait for it, then rebuild or a reman. I can tell you a horror story about my previous 2002 F150 and how I let one advisor talk me into a rear differential lube change at 90K. Never again.
Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11763081
08/07/16 03:49 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,321
Chris B
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
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I'm sitting on 315,000 miles original fluid in my 05 Silverado. I tow almost every weekend and it is still shifting fine. Seems everyone I know with transmission problems is right after a change.
I hate photobucket.
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11763105
08/07/16 04:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 14,103
Bandit 200 XP
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 14,103 |
My transmisson guy told me only time you need to service your transmisson is when something is wrong.Had a 110,000 on the 2007 Tahoe and it lost second and overdrive. Cost 2600.00 to rebuild.So i don't really know a good answer!
Triton 200 XP 200 Yamaha 0X66
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11763229
08/07/16 05:37 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785
Bob Davis
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Bunkeroid Bob
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OP
Bunkeroid Bob
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785 |
yep, thanks. I think I'm gonna let it ride.
Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11764250
08/08/16 02:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,558
MrRoachie
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TFF Guru
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Posts: 11,558 |
280 on the old 97 Almost 300 on the 06
I drive bowties though. And abuse em!!
God loves you just as much as anybody else!!
Jesus offered His life as a gift for you. Please accept it!
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11764437
08/08/16 08:15 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,601
Mckinneycrappiecatcher
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My dad has a 2011 Ecoboost XLT and at 90k he had me take it to the transmissions shop to get it serviced. Transmission place told me they can only get what's in the pan out because its a sealed transmission. When it was done, the transmission place said the fluid was really dirty and really needed to be changed around every 40k. Now my 2005 isn't sealed and I had a quick lube place do a trans flush at 101k, I'm at 104k now and i haven't had any problems. To each their own, but I like to change my fluids, including the transmission fluid regularly. The only place that will be able to service that transmission is a transmission place or the dealership because most general maintenance shops don't have the tools for it.
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11764476
08/08/16 11:08 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,175
patriot07
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,175 |
Old transmission fluid doesn't have the same properties as new fluid. What does the maintenance schedule from Ford say?
I just sold my 2004 Silverado. I bought it with 40k miles and had the transmission fluid flushed immediately. Did it every 40k til I sold it at 155k miles. Never had an issue with the transmission.
Disclaimer - I don't let non-dealerships touch the transmission. All flushes I got done were at Lakeside Chevrolet in Rockwall. Cost about $150 each.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11764611
08/08/16 01:03 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,008
fordnut
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,008 |
Ford doesn't recommend changing transmission fluid until 150k. I'm not sure I'll wait that long myself. The newer trucks use different oil,fluid compositions now than say 10 years ago. Example the differential fluid is full synthetic.
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11764613
08/08/16 01:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,490
redchevy
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Have always serviced my own usually drop pan and change filter and refill and never had a problem. Many new transmissions do not have dipsticks and have a complicated way of re filling to the correct level and can be VERY picky about having the exact right level. Changed the trans fluid on my wifes Ford escape recently shortly after some electronic components inside the trans went out but the dealer said it was a relatively common problem and I didn't touch any of the electric stuff. Other than that I have always serviced mine and have never had a transmission issue of any kind. I would service it, at 79k its surely not too late. Drop/drain the pan, if your lucky you will have a drain plug! refill with the correct fluid. My wife's escape has 50k miles on it and that fluid was black as night, yet the manual calls for a 150k service interval
Last edited by redchevy; 08/08/16 01:05 PM.
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11764649
08/08/16 01:24 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785
Bob Davis
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Bunkeroid Bob
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OP
Bunkeroid Bob
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785 |
From what I can gather, the service interval is 150K. But there are youtube videos of Ford "experts" changing it out earlier. Dropping the pan is the only way on these to change the filter and drain the fluid. The dealers like to do a "flush" where they disconnect both transmission cooling lines at the radiator and run new fluid backwards through the system. They say that this will flow through the torque convertor as well. But when I asked about whether that just backflushes all the crud out of the filter back into the pan, they agreed that that was not a good thing. I'm not for it.
The dealerships have been restricted by Ford from dropping the pan and changing the filter AS A PERIODIC MAINTENANCE item. Of course they will do this if there is a problem inside the trans. I used to do my own on an old 78 Bronco a few times. It was messy. The torque convertors don't have a plug any more. There is a work around to remove some plug and install one but it is tricky.
They do use a very specific motorcraft fluid Mercon VL or something. I think I may simply save the money in a "new transmission fund".
Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11764679
08/08/16 01:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,490
redchevy
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The correct fluid I believe is Mercon LV. You don't have to use ford fluid, just one that meets the specs of it. I put Valvoline synthetic I bought in a 5 quart jug at Walmart for less than $20 bucks. Not sure if its the new fluid or the electric issues that have been fixed, but my wife's car shifts better now than it did new.
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: Bob Davis]
#11764858
08/08/16 02:53 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,175
patriot07
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
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Posts: 26,175 |
150k interval? That's crazy.
I guess it's up to you. Does it have a 100k powertrain warranty? If so, I'd wait til then to change it just so they can't void a warranty claim.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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Re: Transmission flush vs. filter change vs. nothing
[Re: patriot07]
#11764896
08/08/16 03:03 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785
Bob Davis
OP
Bunkeroid Bob
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OP
Bunkeroid Bob
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 82,785 |
150k interval? That's crazy.
I guess it's up to you. Does it have a 100k powertrain warranty? If so, I'd wait til then to change it just so they can't void a warranty claim. Yes on the powertrain warranty. good point!
Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
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