2000 Windstar - Transmission Fluid

[wiswind]

I changed the fluid in my '96 transmission using a modified version of what I read on the Autozone website....and the AlldataDIY instructions (the same).

1. Drop pan and change filter (pumping out fluid or drain plug method are both good ideas)......Measured amount of fluid that came out...Had to use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull out the filter neck seal.....wipe things down to remove the gray film....and clean the pan and magnet.
Reuse the gasket (if it is the original...reusable one). Do not over torque the bolts that hold the pan on.....they are small....and can break.
If unsure....use a torque wrench....torque specifications can be found on Autozone's website....for free.

2. Fill pan with new fluid....in the same amount that I took out....and re-install pan.....

3. The pan holds the fluid....which will be sucked up through the filter and run through the torque converter (bulk of remaining fluid), rest of transmission, and out through the cooler(s), and back into the pan.
So....I now have a clean supply of fluid going from the pan.

4. I disconnected the line for the fluid going FROM the coolers (the factory radiator cooler and my auxilary cooler) to the transmission. I ran a hose from this......to a container in which I could measure the amound of fluid drained.

5. Start engine and let IDLE....watch fluid comming out. When it slows down (it comes out slow......about 1 quart in 45 seconds is what should come out at idle.....much less....you may have a clogged cooler.....or other transmission problem).....I turn engine OFF.....and add the amount of fluid that came out in this step. When you start to see many bubbles...or no fluid.....you want to turn the engine off. You do not want to run the engine for any length of time without fluid in the tranny pan.

6. I repeat step 5.....until the TOTAL amound of fluid that I have used is about 15 quarts. The total capacity of my tranny is 12.25 quarts.


There is a mixing of old and new fluid in the torque converter. From what I have read.....older cars...had a plug that you could remove on the torque converter that you could remove to drain the tranny.......and in those days.....you did not need to flush your tranny fluid as a regular maintenance item.....but the new (all windstars included) cars do not have this drain plug......and if you want to have your tranny last....you need to change your fluid on a regular basis (every 30K miles for normal usage.....21K miles for severe usage).
Running the extra fluid through helps to overcome the constant mixing of old and new fluids in the torque converter.
True, I could run more fluid through.....but Mobil 1 mercon (which my '96 uses) is a bit pricey.....as any good Mercon or Mercon V will be.

Ford does NOT list the filter as an item to change every time.....but I would want to at LEAST every other time...... But that is only my opinion.

If you drop the pan.....wipe it out....do not be alarmed at a small amound of gray "sludge" in the bottom....especially around the magnet.....which looks like a large washer.....some of this sludge is normal.....a lot is reason for concern.

I am sure that the "machine" method discussed here is fine....again only my opinion. As with anything you leave to others....the job is only as good as the people doing it. The machine is an easy way of doing what I described above in steps 5 and 6.
I have read about machines that "reverse flush" and ones that "run a cleaner through".....And I would agree.....that I would not want to do that.....Just a fluid change (and for me a filter change and wipe down).

I plan to keep this routine as a yearly item (which is just over 20K miles).....

[Mo0NDoGGie]

So what is your stand on this Dngrsone?

[Dngrsone]

Originally Posted by Mo0NDoGGie

So what is your stand on this Dngrsone?

Wow, I've been here for three or four days and people think I know something.

Well, because I'm a cheap bastard who would rather do the work myself if I can, I'd just as soon buy a case of Mercon V and flush it manually as per wiswind, which looks identical to the instructions from the Ford manual. I am leery of using one of those machines if only because I don't know what fluids have been cycled though there previously.

I'm sure a small amount of contamination from Mercon wouldn't make a huge difference, but I've seen what happens if you mix regular hydraulic fluid with synthetic, and it isn't pretty. Nor is it pretty when you put power sterring fluid into the brake reservoir...

Granted, those are extreme apples to oranges examples, but you see where I'm coming from on that.

[Mo0NDoGGie]

After reviewing WisWind's post I have come to the conclusion that it is perhaps important also to do a transmission fluid change in that method occasionally also.
Using the machine method does not give you the advantage of cleaning the inside of the pan and removing this grey sludge from the magnet. It also doesn't allow you to change the filter.
I think that next time I do a fluid change I will have it done in this method. Then I will revert back to the machine. I'm pretty convinced that this is very effective.

Dangerous One: I don't think that this lub shop will use the machine to put in synthetic fluid. All of their synthetic oils and fluids are in 1 litre bottles and the other fluids are in holding tanks and pumped up to the machine for refilling. I will however ask them about that next time I'm there because I take your point about having contaminated fluid mixed with synthetic in the machine.

Thanks to everyone for your input. Its helped me to make informed decisions.

Regards,
Andrew

[Mo0NDoGGie]

One other question. What is the cost of a filter for a 98 Windstar transmission?

Andrew

[lewisnc100]

I'd go with OEM which will be around $30 at the dealer, or around $23 at www.1stFordParts.com not including shipping.

[Dngrsone]

Originally Posted by Mo0NDoGGie

Dangerous One: I don't think that this lub shop will use the machine to put in synthetic fluid. All of their synthetic oils and fluids are in 1 litre bottles and the other fluids are in holding tanks and pumped up to the machine for refilling. I will however ask them about that next time I'm there because I take your point about having contaminated fluid mixed with synthetic in the machine.

Regards,
Andrew

Well, I hope not... if they are, I wouldn't want to visit their shop.

BTW, mixing significant amounts of certain synthetic and natural hyd. fluids can make a big boom.

[wiswind]

I would have a shop do it versus putting off changing the fluid.....machine or no machine.
It is that important to change the fluid.
My guess is.....the "mix" from the other new fluid that they used for the customer before you....would be VERY small.....and much smaller by volume in your 12.25 quarts in your tranny.
I guess.....that for some.....having the transmission service done for them by a reputable shop is the only way that they would get it changed.....as it is more involved than a oil change....and many people have a shop do that. I would not let our (yes I have my own horror stories) horror stories scare them away from having their services done.

My Mobil 1 Mercon is a synthetic ATF. (for my '96 windstar) I was looking for a improved life in heat.....as well as improved cold flow for in the winter.
I may be mistaken......so one of you experts jump in and correct me if I am wrong....but I did read that Mercon V is a synthetic ATF.

Another good source for parts online is..........

www.rockauto.com

They have a pretty good selection.

I have found that www.partsamerica.com has sometimes listed a part I was looking for at a higher price than in their stores.....
Their stores include Checker, and Advance Auto.
The nice thing is....that you can see if they have the part in stock.....and at which store within a reasonable range of your zip code.....before driving to the store. That has saved me a LOT of running around.

Also, reading about a repair on www.AlldataDIY.com (a subscription based service) usually includes a standard price for parts, and labor.
Also, it helps me decide if this is a job for me to try myself or not....they list the tools needed.....and the instructions for doing the job.

[Dngrsone]

Best prices I've found for engine parts has been www.AutoPartsGiant.com

Mercon V is synthetic, at least the stuff I use is.

[DRW1000]

I believe that Mercon V is synthetic. The stuff I bought from Ford does not say this on the bottle but I was told that all Mercon V is synthetic.

[dxrflyboy]

If you're concerned about getting your trans. flushed because there may be other fluid types mixing in from the flusher, your best bet would be to have it flushed at a Ford dealer. The machine we use separates the fluids with a diaphragm. The vehicle is run until the trans. pumps all the new fluid out of the tank and into the vehicle. We do flush the machine whenever a different fluid type (Mercon V vs. Mercon) is used. The only pressure increase in the system is created by the bypass valve in the machine when the flush process is complete. Since the flushing is done with the engine idling, the pressure is still far below maximum. Even though flushing doesn't remove 100% of the old fluid, it is still much more effective than dropping the pan and refilling. However, flushing AND replacing the filter and cleaning the pan is the best practice, which we recommend every 60K, along with flushes every 30K. Some trannies require longer to flush than others mainly because some have thermostatic bypasses built into the cooler circuit to prevent them from running too cool. This reduces flow through the cooler when idling in park.