96 Transmission Drain Plug

[teggimann]

Hey, my sister needs her trans (auto) fluid changed on her 96 Taurus. I am unfamiliar with the vehicle and can't seem to find the drain plug anywhere. I'm pretty frustrated cuz it should be an easy job, but not if I can't drain the fluid.

Does anyone know where the trans drain plug is located?

Thanks,

Tim

[road_rascal]

No drain plug on the tranny on these cars. You either have to pull the pan which is messy but gives you access to the filter, or you can use a suction pump through the tranny dipstick tube. I use a Liquidvac (http://www.liquidvac.com) and get about 1/2 the fluid out. I do this on both my '99 Taurus and '01 Windstar every year. It costs less than $36/year to do both (6 quarts each = 12 quarts x $3/qt).

[Willyum]

Altho messy, is smart to drop the transmission pan. There will be a layer of sludge in the bottom and Ford leaves a magnetic washer that needs cleaning. The filter change is easy and worthwhile. The gasket is usually reusable.

[teggimann]

Originally Posted by Willyum

Altho messy, is smart to drop the transmission pan. There will be a layer of sludge in the bottom and Ford leaves a magnetic washer that needs cleaning. The filter change is easy and worthwhile. The gasket is usually reusable.

Thanks for the info-how difficult would it have been to put a plug on the tranny, right?

I guess I'll go after it that way then.

Tim

[teggimann]

Originally Posted by road_rascal

No drain plug on the tranny on these cars. You either have to pull the pan which is messy but gives you access to the filter, or you can use a suction pump through the tranny dipstick tube. I use a Liquidvac (http://www.liquidvac.com) and get about 1/2 the fluid out. I do this on both my '99 Taurus and '01 Windstar every year. It costs less than $36/year to do both (6 quarts each = 12 quarts x $3/qt).

Thanks for the info, and liquivac idea.

Tim

[Willyum]

Ford wants you to clean it out properly, to do that is to remove the pan, clean it thoroughly, clean the magnet. The fluid level is above the seam so when you loosen the bolts fluid will come out around it. Be prepared. When you're done you will be proud.