easy transmission fluid change

I wanted to share my new way of changing my transmission fluid. I have to admit that I do not use the flushing method and I don’t change my filter all of the time. I have heard of people installing drain plugs and although that is probably better than my method as any loose filings etc will normally flush out with the fluid using this method but I for one, am not all that comfortable drilling into my transmission pan.

The first time I changed my fluid I dropped the pan (I changed the filter too). What a mess I ended up with. The step by step instructions suggest undoing one side of bolts only slightly and then remove remaining bolts and then let the fluid drain to one side. Unless one has a huge bin to catch it a lot will end up on the driveway. Anyway this got me about 6 litres or a little more than half of the 11.6 litre capacity changed.

The last 2 changes I did (last week separated by a week) I simply stuffed a clear hose down the dipstick tube. Very carefully using human power I started the flow going. I think I used a 3/8” outer diameter tube so the inner is perhaps 1/4 “ and it took a couple of hours to drain but at this point it was on auto pilot and I puttered around doing other things while I waited. I managed to get 4 ½ litres out this way. But with no mess (even my hands were clean). I did the math and 2 changes gets about 52 % of the fluid changed as opposed to about 75% for 2 pan drops. If you need to get to the filter or you want to drop the pan then by first siphoning you will have only a litre or so still in the pan when you remove it and it will be a lost less messy. (I did this on my wife’s vehicle and barely spilled a drop).

I use a suction pump (LiquidVac) and I can get around 6.5 qts of fluid out of my Windstar and Taurus tranny. I do this sort of service annually. It's very easy to do.

I have heard of people installing drain plugs and although that is probably better than my method as any loose filings etc will normally flush out with the fluid using this method but I for one, am not all that comfortable drilling into my transmission pan.

Key point when you install a drain plug is the pan has to be off the vehicle when you drill it. Then you can clean up the hole and any filings, attach the plug and avoid any damage to internal parts.

But anyway you can replace ATF consistently in our vehicle is a plus, whether from a drain plug kit or vacuum through the dipstick tube.

I am not sure where I bought it but I have a clear silicone Tube with a little pump on it to start the siphon. It worked wonders when I worked as a mechanic. I used it a lot to siphon out extra trans fluid from overfilled trannys. It was only like $5-10. I believe I got it at Advanced or Autozone.

Key point when you install a drain plug is the pan has to be off the vehicle when you drill it. Then you can clean up the hole and any filings, attach the plug and avoid any damage to internal parts.

The filings I was talking about are from normal wear and not from drilling for a drain plug because as you mentioned the drilling should be done with the pan removed.

In any event thanks for ensuring that there was no confusion.

Don't you try to get all the fluid out of the convertor? On my 98, I had the trans pump the fluid out into a 5 galloon can through the cooling line under the radiator. Kill the engine as soon as the flow stops and add 8 quarts. Start it again and pump the rest into the can. This does the best job of emptying the convertor. After that, drop the pan, clean, and refiull. On a 99 I just finished, I disconnected the line at the top of the radiator. More difficult but successful. The second yield (convertor) was noticeably red-brown.
Marc/Atlanta