Transmission fluid

[DRW1000]

I have heard differing opinions on when to change the transmission fluid. Some say 20,000 KM(I doubt this one), 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles or 60,000kms.

The way I read my maintenance schedule it is listed as 60,000 miles. (odd since one would expect it to be a metric value for a vehicle in Canada)

It does not state whether this implies a complete change or a 6 litre (pan drop) change. I would imagine that if they do not specify then it is the former.

I am interested in what others believe the schedule is.

Thanks

[rodeo02]

Dealerships also vary in what they consider a "transmission service". Some just do an ATF exchange, some just drop the pan, replace the filter & replace whatever ATF was lost in the process. Some do both! In my opinion, a yearly pump out/vac out of the pan thru the dipstick tube is all you need on the AX4S/AX4N. Maybe do a pan drop/filter change once in the trannies life.
G/luck
Joel

[ModMech]

Reading the Owner's guide/Service literature supplied with out '98 says 60,000 miles with NO FILTER change needed.

I would not trust a WWD (wrong wheel drive) A/T more than 30,000 between changes, and less if it idles a lot.

[lewisnc100]

2000 Scheduled Maintenance Guide has it at 30k but again isn't specific on full flush or pan replacement. Since I installed my drain plug on the pan I just drain it every other oil change when I'm under there already, very easy and no mess.

[ModMech]

That's a VERY good plan there Lewis.

[road_rascal]

You may want to invest in a LiquidVac fluid suction pump. I suck out about 6 quarts of fluid out of the tranny in my '99 Taurus and '01 Windstar every year whether it needs it or not. Easy to do and it only takes about 30 minutes (being slow and putzy).

[lewisnc100]

I've already got a fluid vac for changing fluids in my Mercruiser I/O and it works well for that, but for $3.99 and a little hassle to install a drain plug kit I think I'll stick with that route since I'm already there for the oil change. Really no effort and by the time I'm done with the oil filter the ATF is done draining about 5qts.

[sahib]

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

for $3.99 and a little hassle to install a drain plug kit

What kind of "kit" is this that you speak of? Sounds like a good thing to do. Hate that ATF going everywhere but in the drain pan when removing the pan off the trans-axle. Where do you get it? I have welded a pipe bushing and plug into older models but lotsa messing around. A ready made kit might be the answer. Thanks.

[lewisnc100]

Look at the bottom of this page for an example, I didn't buy this one, got one at Advanced Auto Parts but any auto parts place should have one. Just remove the pan and drill a 1/2" hole, then bolt it on. Just be careful where you place it that you have plenty of internal clearance.

http://www.racenet.net/drivetrn/bm-trans-pans.php

[Skipjack]

This is my first response/question. I hope I'm doing this right.
Is it true that the tranmission pan gasket on a 2001 Windstar is reusable? A local parts shop told me there is no replacement gasket for that model.

[sahib]

Originally Posted by Skipjack

Is it true that the tranmission pan gasket on a 2001 Windstar is reusable? A local parts shop told me there is no replacement gasket for that model.

I haven't had mine off yet so can't speak from experience. It may be that they use a silicone sealant/gasket cement as the gasket now. Seems they are doing that in a lot applications. I'll watch to see if I'm corrected.

[ModMech]

Yes, the pan gaskets ARE RE-USEABLE if they have not been replaced by those garbage cork gaskets already by some butcher.

[lewisnc100]

Originally Posted by Skipjack

Is it true that the tranmission pan gasket on a 2001 Windstar is reusable?

The words are actually stamped right on the pan, equipped with a reusable pan gasket. Can't miss it.

[Skipjack]

Thanks for the advice. This goes against my better judgement, but I actually called, Jiffy Lube. The head mechanic there told me that they don't have to remove the pan anymore to change the trans fluid. They suction out all the fluid instead of draining it from the pan. The process is akin to a blood transfusion. He claimed this was better because 1) it replaced all the fluid by flushing out all the lines, rather than just the liquid that spills out from the bottom and 2) no worries about a leaking pan. He also said the filter never needs to be changed because everytime the car is turned off the filter is cleaned by the back flush of fluid. Is he correct or full of crap?

[ModMech]

Well he's mostly right.

He is wrong about the "flush" removing nearly 100% of the old fluid, you CANNOT do that because as you pump new in, it mixes with the old in the Torque Converter which acts like a big blender intermixing old and new. I did the math one day, and you would need to flush over 25 qts of NEW ATF thru the system to get to 95%, and almost 40 qts to get over 98%.

One VERY important thing, is that you should NEVER use a "self powered" flushing machine. The machine should only add back what the TRANSMISSION pumps out, it should NOT have any pump itself.