Doing a Tranny Flush...99 Windstar

[FordGuy81]

Hi Guys,

First I have search the forums here and read about everything I could find.

With that in mind, here is what I have: 1999 Windstar (3.8L) w/ approx. 13X,XXX miles on it. We bought the van a little over a year ago w/ 107,000 miles. At that time I checked the tranny fluid and it looked good to me. Maybe not new looking, but still translucent and pinkish.

I do not know if the tranny has ever been flushed before, but the fluid still looks good except for one minor issuse with the van. At light to moderate throttle, the van shutters a bit on accelleration. The shifts feel fine though, not sloppy, but not harsh either.

Since owning the van I have replaced the spark plugs with MC DP's, MC plug wires, a new coil pack (just in case), a faulty fuel injector that gave a misfire code (replaced the isolater bolts at this time, even though they had already been service before) and cleaned out the EGR ports. The van also had a fuel filter installed about 25,000 miles ago.

In flushing the tranny, here is the procedure as I understand it.

Warm up tranny
Take off pan, drain fluid, wipe pan clean, and install new filter/replace pan
Remove return tranny cooler line and use tranny to pump out old fluid
Turn off engine when fluid starts to run low in pan
Refill pan
repeat process untill clean fluid comes out of return line
Top off as necessary
Add the lucas stuff after tranny flush procedure

Is this all correct? Have I left anything out?

I have at least 15 qts. of Mercon V put into the tranny.

In the past I have replaced tranny filters before and did a complete tranny flush on an old Buick, but that car had a drain plug on the TC (even threw a shift kit in it while I was in there).

Never did the flush procedure before as outlined above and just wanted to be sure I have it all down and haven't skipped anything.

[12Ounce]

Looks as tho you have the procedure "down pat". You know that the filter seal is a "dog" to remove ... I just leave the old one in place, and poke the new filter into it.

If that is the original transmission, you are on "borrowed time" anyway ... but, good maintenance will help to get all out of it you're gonna get. I use MOBIL1 in mine ... but don't know if its worth the investment. Good luck with it.

BTW, you may want to pump the tranny empty before dropping the pan ... a bit less mess.

[FordGuy81]

Thanks 12Ounce,

I have had trouble before with the filter seal in a Cavalier Z24; that was a real pain to get out. Point considered.

I am using Mercon V from Valvoline because that was the only good brand I could get in quantity that day at the parts store. I run the Mobile 1 synthetic Mercon V in my Ranger's 5 speed tranny and T-case w/ 158K on it-good stuff, but liquid gold!!

Other than a bit of shudder (which may be TC shudder) and probably overdue for a flush, the tranny still shifts good.

Point taken on pumping the pan dry first, thanks.

I'll report back after I get it done and let everyone know how bad the filter and pan looked.

Another thing my wife and I do (it's her van) is put the e-brake on after shifting into park, but before releasing the brakes when parking on any incline. This prevents the tranny from clunking into gear the next time it is shifted out of park. Also always, always, come to a complete stop after being in reverse before going into drive.

[wiswind]

Here is a link to the first in a series of pictures that I took during my transmission fluid and filter change process......including detail on that pesky filter gasket

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1503...11220610kYSGCI

[12Ounce]

Put the e-brake on while in N ... and test it, by releasing brake pedal ... before shifting into P.

[wiswind]

I would NOT add any additive to the fluid after the flush.
See how it does with a good quality ATF that lists the Mercon V specification.
I have used Mobil 1 ATF and Redline D4 ATF, there are other good fluids out there as well.
The Valvoline you mention should be good on its own as well.
You want to keep those valves as clean as possible.

[FordGuy81]

Just an update on flushing the tranny.

At first I could not get the lower (return) tranny cooler line off. I read how wiswind had done it, but my '99 was not the same as his. From the tranny to the cooler and the cooler to the tranny, both lines are one piece of hard metal line except for about "6 of flexible rubber hose. The rubber hose is crimped to the hard metal line.

To remove the lower (return) line at the tranny, there is quick disconnect fitting. At first I couldn't get it to move at all, so what I did was spray some Seafoam Deep Creep on it (heavily) and let it soak for a while. Then I wiggled the line a bit until it was loose, but still seated in the connector.

Then, push the line in toward the tranny (in moved in about 1/8") and squeeze the pastic tabs together (i just used my fingers) and pull it out of the tranny. From the time I sprayed the deep to creep to the time I pulled the line out, it took about 10 min (I let the deep creep soak a bit).

To reconnect, just push the line back into the tranny and make sure it is seated properly by trying to pull it back out, it shouldn't come back out by just pulling on it a bit. Remember to snap the line lock back on after you're done.

To remove the filter seal, I wedged a slotted screwdriver between the seal and the seal boss and pried down and back against the transmission case. You may have to work it a few times, but it came out pretty easy.

Everything else was straight forward and pretty simple.

[mosart5]

wiswind what an awesome slidshow very handy, thanks so much!!!

[AvalonJohn]

Guys:

I need to do a fluid exchange on my 99 Winnie with 3.8 l as well. I want to use the Mobil 1. Which one is the best one to use ? They say to use a Mercron V, but I don't see a Mobile 1 synthetic Mercon V ..... do they make it ? Should I just use the Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF ?

Thanks,

AJ

[12Ounce]

I have always used Mobil1 ATF in my '99 Winny.

Did my first drain/replacement @ 60k miles ... too late, I think ... tranny failed/rebuilt @ 90k miles. After that I got a bit more diligent ... the repair lasted 'til 215k miles. Tranny then replaced by me. Somewhere along the way, I improved the fluid procedure to include pump/flush ... along with filter replacement and pan wipe ... about every 40k miles or so.

Pushing 290k miles total now. Knock on wood!

Mobil now lists their ATF as "multivehicle". Even in a black bottle to avoid confusing with engine oil. I personnally think it always met/exceeded MerconV specs ... but there was politics involved before it was approved.

[glennet404]

Hello-

If I understand the labeling - Mobile 1 ATF is a synthetic transmission fluid - and it is the TRADE NAME of the product. There is no Mobile 1 Mercon V that I know of - however the Mobile 1 ATF synthetic does meet the Mercon V standards.

FWIW - I use Walmart brand Mercon V - about $4.00/Qt with no problems.

Good Luck-
Glenn

[wiswind]

If you read the label you should see Mercon V listed.
I am sure that it meets the Mercon V specification.
I have the same situation with the Redline D4, does not say Mercon V on the front in big letters, but says that it meets the Mercon V specification in the information on the label on the back of the bottle.

It is possible to meet a number of specifications with the same fluid.....as many of the specifications are similar.......specifically Dexron III and Mercon V.

Dexron VI and Mercon SP are completely different fluids from the Mercon V, so I would not trust a fluid that lists these along with Mercon V on the label at this time.

For the windstar, the Mobil One ATF is a fully synthetic fluid that you can use with confidence.