Windstar transmission filter o-ring

Hello.

I read a few posts on here about changing the transmission fluid and filter on my 99 Windstar. I gave it a shot but now I'm running into problems.
When I pulled out the old filter, the old o-ring was stuck inside. I monkeyed around a bit and finally got it out. However, when I tried to put the new filter in, with the new o-ring, it doesn't fit. I used so much force trying to push it in that I broke the stem of the filter. No biggie because they are only $12.
I didn't screw up the aluminum when removing the old o-ring.
It seems it is just to large around and gets held up on the aluminium ridge on the inside.

Has anyone had this problem? And how do I solve it? Perhaps some of those who changed theirs in the previous posts have an idea?

Another strange thing. As far as I can tell, I have a 3.8L V6. However, when I bought the filter I made sure of the number of transmission pan bolts. I have 17. The auto store said that was a 3.0L. Is there a difference between the filter o-ring size between these two filters? I know they are the same filter just by looking at it.

I would appreciate any feedback or help.
Thanks

Hello.

I read a few posts on here about changing the transmission fluid and filter on my 99 Windstar. I gave it a shot but now I'm running into problems.
When I pulled out the old filter, the old o-ring was stuck inside. I monkeyed around a bit and finally got it out. However, when I tried to put the new filter in, with the new o-ring, it doesn't fit. I used so much force trying to push it in that I broke the stem of the filter. No biggie because they are only $12.
I didn't screw up the aluminum when removing the old o-ring.
It seems it is just to large around and gets held up on the aluminium ridge on the inside.

Has anyone had this problem? And how do I solve it? Perhaps some of those who changed theirs in the previous posts have an idea?

Another strange thing. As far as I can tell, I have a 3.8L V6. However, when I bought the filter I made sure of the number of transmission pan bolts. I have 17. The auto store said that was a 3.0L. Is there a difference between the filter o-ring size between these two filters? I know they are the same filter just by looking at it.

I would appreciate any feedback or help.
Thanks

I replaced my trans filter on my 98 winstar and had the same problem. I didn't get all of the o ring out of the trans., the outer part of the o ring should have a green color on it. About the trans bolts i didn't find anything in the haynes manual on the amount of bolts but if you think you have a 3.8 i would tell the parts supplier that you want to see one for a 3.0 and 3.8 and compare them with the old one oh by the way use a little tranny fluid on the new o ring and it will pop in smoother

I replaced my trans filter on my 98 winstar and had the same problem. I didn't get all of the o ring out of the trans., the outer part of the o ring should have a green color on it. About the trans bolts i didn't find anything in the haynes manual on the amount of bolts but if you think you have a 3.8 i would tell the parts supplier that you want to see one for a 3.0 and 3.8 and compare them with the old one oh by the way use a little tranny fluid on the new o ring and it will pop in smoother

Thanks cbailey.

Do you think that the aluminum or metal that is in there is just the inside of the old o-ring? I did have a hard time getting it out, flaking it off here and there, trying to prevent scarring the metal I hit. After reaching the metal I figured that was it. This new o-ring is certainly not just popping in...even with the oil. As I said, it appears there is some ridge that it keeps getting stuck on. Perhaps still the old o-ring?

Appreciate your help.

Thanks cbailey.

Do you think that the aluminum or metal that is in there is just the inside of the old o-ring? I did have a hard time getting it out, flaking it off here and there, trying to prevent scarring the metal I hit. After reaching the metal I figured that was it. This new o-ring is certainly not just popping in...even with the oil. As I said, it appears there is some ridge that it keeps getting stuck on. Perhaps still the old o-ring?

Appreciate your help.

It's possible that it could be part of the old o ring, that is what i ran into. the old o ring in my tranny was aluminum and it threw me for a loop the start with. You are welcome for the help, i help anytime i can i know how it is when you have to fix things yourself.

Hi,
I had a similar problem, and as the others have said, it turned out that I did not get the whole o-ring out. It is a ring of metal covered with the rubber/plastic. Once I realized what the problem was I used a wide blade screwdriver to gently pry the remaining o-ring out. It takes a fair amount of pressure to seat the new filter into place but it should go with a moderate amount of pressure and some side-to-side motion.
For what it is worth, Autozone has the same part number for the filter on the 3.8 or 3.0.
Good luck

It's possible that it could be part of the old o ring, that is what i ran into. the old o ring in my tranny was aluminum and it threw me for a loop the start with. You are welcome for the help, i help anytime i can i know how it is when you have to fix things yourself.


I realized after my last post, and after thinking about your reply, that I could just go out and cut the new filter stem I broke in half. Sure enough, there is a metal ring inside. So now I just need to figure out what tool to use to get it out? What did you use?

Thanks again

I read on another site that some guy used snap ring pliers. Gonna give that a try. Will post result here in case someone ever comes looking.

Thanks for the help.

This is a miserable design. And once you get all of the old o-ring out and insert the new filter ... it then sticks in place, and is a problem the next time.

Now I just pull off and discard the o-rings on new filters and keep reusing the old stuck-in-place o-ring.

YES...there is metal inside the gasket....sorry for not posting sooner....
Hopefully this will help.
I used needle nose pliers.....you need to bend part of the gasket metal in.....which I was able to do with the pliers. I have pictures of this in my pictures (the most recent ones....at the bottom).
Your car should be identical...

http://community.webshots.com/album/201931518cScpNK

NOTE: The fluid that I used is correct for my '96...
It is NOT correct for your '98. Everything else will be identical.

I just did this a couple of weeks ago....so it is fresh in my mind.
The new filter should NOT be hard at all to press up in there.

Update.

I tried using the snap ring pliers and they didn't work very well. Probably because I had already stripped the gasket to the metal.

I tried the idea by busboy4. Useing a large head screw driver. I pushed the head of the screw driver against the metal of the o-ring, and used the edge of the hole as leverage. It popped out with no problem at all. So easy I felt stupid.

anyway, new filter installed easily after that.
Thanks for the help.

Don't feel stupid.
I was VERY uncomfortable about pulling that gasket out of there when I saw the metal. Looking at the new filter.....I would not have guessed that it had metal inside the gasket....so I was not real comfortable bending it....and pulling on it. Now.....2nd time around for me.....It does have metal....as you can see in the picture I posted. Which is why I posted several pictures on the gasket....

I agree with wiswind. Don't feel stupid. I lost the better part of an afternoon messing with mine. I finally called a local tranny shop and the guy was nice telling me they often stick. I went out and looked carefully at the new one and the problem became obvious.
Glad it worked out

A different approach:

I ran into the same issue on my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8.

I didn't like the idea of prying on the seal still up inside the (expensive) transmission, so instead I removed the seal from the (cheap) filter. Yes, this means I'm using an old seal with a new filter - but the seal appears to be remarkably durable (it's work to get it off of the filter, too) and in excellent shape.