automatic tranny fluid

I have a 1995 Ford Winstar GL 3.8L 120k miles. About 15k miles ago, I check the tranny fluid and its was tan color, I drop the pan and change filter and refil 4-5 quart of vavoline dex/mercon, today I check the tranny fluid and it still tan red color, im thinking drop the pan and fill with vavoline maxlife dex/mercon this time, what you guy think ? I have few question.

1 : I dont know what kind of rtv silicon, I use on the tranny pan back then, what kind do you guy recomment ?

2 : If I dont want drop the pan, is their another way I can pump the fluid out off dip stick ?

3 : Thanks !!

there is a way to exchange fluids through the return line but it might be a different setup in your year. Wiswind might have something to add to your yr.

The fluid exchange via the trans cooling lines to the radiator is doable on the 95. There are several posts on the specifics of the procedure that you can find by using the search function from the Windstar home page on trans flush, etc. I'm not aware of the need on a routine basis to use any sealant on the trans pan gasket. In fact, I think many here have said the gasket is of such high quality, it is best to reuse it and not what comes with filter if you change it.

If you have the original transmission pan gasket....it is reusable...and adding any sealant will do more harm than good.

For help in doing the fluid exchange via the cooler line, the link in my signature takes you to a folder of pictures that I have posted on webshots.

In those pictures, I show how to do the fluid exchange.
If you have already dropped the pan.....you can skip that part.

You will also see what the original black gasket looks like.
If you have a cork gasket......then it would not be the reusable type.

The cooler line method is actually much easier than dropping the pan.
I have been changing my fluid every year, and dropping the pan every other year is overkill for me.

some member over other forums, say these tranny cant last more then 120k ? is that true ?

Also look in the 4th sticky message from the top, ford has changed the recomended fluid to Mercon V in all Windstars.

The 120000 mile question is hard to answer, mine has 112000 and is still going strong with regular fluid changes and driving it gently. If you drive it like you stole it you can expect to replace it in 10000.

What I've read on the trans fluid exchange method via using the trans cooling lines to pump out all the old fluid with the engine on, is there will still remain some of the old fluid in the pan if you don't drop it to at least drain the fluid. I know of some who are so passionate about protecting the fragile Windstar trans, they will change the fluid once a year and replace the filter every other year. To facilitate this, they even will install a drain plug into the pan. More power to them. I have a hard enough time making time and keeping up with wipers and oil and filter changes. :) :shakehead :screwy

In your case, since your fluid is so shot, I would want every bit of it out and used the exchange flush method where you add extra new fluid to run the trans pump till the fluid comes out clear, bright and red like new. Those who do the fluid change frequently probably can get away with not dropping the pan like Wiswind since the old fluid isn't so bad that it really needs to be drained. Wiswind also has added an external heavy duty trans cooler, something that just baffles us why it's not standard equipment. Heck, my 95 Taurus with the same 3.8l engine, and AXOD trans, has an external trans cooling loop, in ADDITION to the cooling line going into the radiator. It seems they got it backwards being that the Windstar is much heavier than the Taurus, has a higher GVW, has the same trans, and is more likely to be used for towing. I don't think they were thinking!?!

Oh, BTW, I think mine has 145k on it, but I better do my trans fluid and filter before it finds a far away and remote place with no phones or cell service on a super hot day to the AXOD death roll.

The process in my pictures shows how I go about it for the complete job....
I drop the pan..measuring the amount of fluid that I get out......wipe things down....change the filter NOTE pictures that show the filter neck gasket sticking in the tranny......
Then I put the pan back on using the OEM gasket.
Now.....I have a nice clean sump to put the new Mercon V fluid into......
I then fill with fresh fluid....and do the cooler line process.
I run about 15 quarts through as there is some mixing of old/new fluid in the torque converter.....no way around that.

The total capacity is 12.25 quarts.
Have an extra quart on hand to make any adjustments to the fluid level.

Check fluid with motor warm......on LEVEL ground.....motor at idle......transmission in PARK.
Fill FULL to the FULL mark.....

I went to harbor freight ( fucking awsome store ) for the first time in my life. I bought a Siphon Pump Kit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3878

I pump out almost a galon !!! without remove the pan, put in 4.3qt of maxlife dex/mercon ( I read in the back and it say mercon V campatible ), im plan to pump out much as I can, and drop the pan, with new motorcraft filter in the next oil change or so. that should last me a long time. thanks all.