directions/suggestions for installing drain in trans pan

I have done a fair bit of searching regarding installing a drain plug in the trans pan for my 3.8 2000 windstar. It's been mentioned but not really outlined. Does anyone have any suggestions, pictures etc?

Currently I've drained via the Ford/alldata method (pull line, pump out 3 quarts...) but would love to be able to do a partial drain when I do oil.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Piper

I've tried different approaches and have settled on :

1. Remove pan.
2. Drill small diameter pilot hole thru magnet locater "bump".
3. Install short round-head self-tapping sheet metal screw. Phillips head slot is preferred. Don't overtighten, and use RTV to help assure good sealing.
4. Be sure to wipe out metal shavings ... reinstall pan.

I like to pump out the 3 1/2 qts and then remove screw and finish draining pan. (More adding and pumping of new fluid if a thorough "flushing" is desired.) The pan is dropped, wiped out, filter replaced and (RTV'd) screw reinstalled ... before the pan is re-installed.

Hmm, this is interesting. I guess I've always thought that an "oil drain plug" sized plug could be somehow installed. I just don't like to have to remove the whole pan.

Piper

Removing the pain is not bad at all, just messy. I have a B&M drain plug but have yet to install it..

I've had the B&M drain plug in mine for four years, mounted on the front side of the drain pan. I elected not to put it on the bottom of the pan because it would be the lowest point on the van and felt a little risky as low as these vans are. With it directed towards the front it is very convenient to do a ATF drain and fill during an oil change.

This is exactly my thought. Front mounted plug, change "some" of the tranny fluid at every oil change. Maybe every 30,000km I'd pull the pan and replace the filter. I'd do the trans fluid more regularly if it was easier to do. I think this method is the ticket.

Piper

Thanks for staring this thread, this is what I was wondering as well. I too have a B&M drain plug but have not installed it because:
1. the damn tranny went before I got to do the flush @ 60k miles (30k interval)
2. Didn't like the way the plug would stick out of the bottom.
I thought about placing the plug on the side but thought I would be having problems with leaking or something, so it can be mounted facing the side of the pan.
Also, a good idea is to install an oil cooler for the tranny and make sure you do the flush at least every 30k as I found out when my tranny went. :disappoin I'm gonna do it @ the next 20k mile. Good Luck.

When you go to install the drain plug, you will need to have the transmission pan OFF.
Make sure that the part of the plug that sticks inside the pan will not be against anything when the pan is installed.

MARZBX157, you mention that your transmission failed?
FORD has issued a couple of TSB's about cleaning out the transmission cooler that is inside the radiator.
They say that junk from the failed transmission can become lodged inside the cooler and block the flow of fluid through the cooler and/or contaminate the new transmission.
They say NOT to use ANY chemical cleaners, but to use a special system that pulses hot transmission fluid through the cooler.
So, I would pay attention to the flow of the fluid next time I do a fluid change.
I think I posted the minimum flow rate in the transmission information in the "general windstar information" post......getting old and cannot remember it right now.

A auxillary cooler is highly recommended, as well as making sure that the radiator fans run, and stay running whenever the A/C is ON....and you are not moving.....If they are not.....the low speed dropping resistor for the radiator fans could be defective.
When in stop and go traffic...I set the controls to a A/C position, forcing the radiator fans to run....which keeps the transmission fluid MUCH cooler....particularly with the auxillary cooler, but it is still a big help without it as the coolant in the radiator will be cooler.

Front mounted plug, change "some" of the tranny fluid at every oil change.

Even mounted on the side of the pan vs. the bottom I still get around 5.3 qts out with each drain or about 43% of total ATF capacity. I try to do that every other oil change and the fluid always looks new.

MARZBX157, you mention that your transmission failed?
FORD has issued a couple of TSB's about cleaning out the transmission cooler that is inside the radiator.

Actually, I did the flush outlined in this forum (18Qts. Mobil1 ATF) when the problem initially started to see if the condition would change but drove fine for a few miles then broke down and would not go into any gear except neutral and I drove it home on N. So I got to flush out all of the old fluid and the flow of the radiator cooler was very good, I plan on doing the flush again at 20k interval instead of 30 with Mobil 1 ATF. I recommend anyone with a Windstar to do the flush procedure and install a transmission cooler especially if you are planning to install a drain plug as these upgrades would go together nicely.