Windstar transmission filter o-ring

[rbruhn]

Hello.

I read a few posts on here about changing the transmission fluid and filter on my 99 Windstar. I gave it a shot but now I'm running into problems.
When I pulled out the old filter, the old o-ring was stuck inside. I monkeyed around a bit and finally got it out. However, when I tried to put the new filter in, with the new o-ring, it doesn't fit. I used so much force trying to push it in that I broke the stem of the filter. No biggie because they are only $12.
I didn't screw up the aluminum when removing the old o-ring.
It seems it is just to large around and gets held up on the aluminium ridge on the inside.

Has anyone had this problem? And how do I solve it? Perhaps some of those who changed theirs in the previous posts have an idea?

Another strange thing. As far as I can tell, I have a 3.8L V6. However, when I bought the filter I made sure of the number of transmission pan bolts. I have 17. The auto store said that was a 3.0L. Is there a difference between the filter o-ring size between these two filters? I know they are the same filter just by looking at it.

I would appreciate any feedback or help.
Thanks

[cbailey]

Originally Posted by rbruhn

Hello.

I read a few posts on here about changing the transmission fluid and filter on my 99 Windstar. I gave it a shot but now I'm running into problems.
When I pulled out the old filter, the old o-ring was stuck inside. I monkeyed around a bit and finally got it out. However, when I tried to put the new filter in, with the new o-ring, it doesn't fit. I used so much force trying to push it in that I broke the stem of the filter. No biggie because they are only $12.
I didn't screw up the aluminum when removing the old o-ring.
It seems it is just to large around and gets held up on the aluminium ridge on the inside.

Has anyone had this problem? And how do I solve it? Perhaps some of those who changed theirs in the previous posts have an idea?

Another strange thing. As far as I can tell, I have a 3.8L V6. However, when I bought the filter I made sure of the number of transmission pan bolts. I have 17. The auto store said that was a 3.0L. Is there a difference between the filter o-ring size between these two filters? I know they are the same filter just by looking at it.

I would appreciate any feedback or help.
Thanks

I replaced my trans filter on my 98 winstar and had the same problem. I didn't get all of the o ring out of the trans., the outer part of the o ring should have a green color on it. About the trans bolts i didn't find anything in the haynes manual on the amount of bolts but if you think you have a 3.8 i would tell the parts supplier that you want to see one for a 3.0 and 3.8 and compare them with the old one oh by the way use a little tranny fluid on the new o ring and it will pop in smoother

[rbruhn]

Originally Posted by cbailey

I replaced my trans filter on my 98 winstar and had the same problem. I didn't get all of the o ring out of the trans., the outer part of the o ring should have a green color on it. About the trans bolts i didn't find anything in the haynes manual on the amount of bolts but if you think you have a 3.8 i would tell the parts supplier that you want to see one for a 3.0 and 3.8 and compare them with the old one oh by the way use a little tranny fluid on the new o ring and it will pop in smoother

Thanks cbailey.

Do you think that the aluminum or metal that is in there is just the inside of the old o-ring? I did have a hard time getting it out, flaking it off here and there, trying to prevent scarring the metal I hit. After reaching the metal I figured that was it. This new o-ring is certainly not just popping in...even with the oil. As I said, it appears there is some ridge that it keeps getting stuck on. Perhaps still the old o-ring?

Appreciate your help.

[cbailey]

Originally Posted by rbruhn

Thanks cbailey.

Do you think that the aluminum or metal that is in there is just the inside of the old o-ring? I did have a hard time getting it out, flaking it off here and there, trying to prevent scarring the metal I hit. After reaching the metal I figured that was it. This new o-ring is certainly not just popping in...even with the oil. As I said, it appears there is some ridge that it keeps getting stuck on. Perhaps still the old o-ring?

Appreciate your help.

It's possible that it could be part of the old o ring, that is what i ran into. the old o ring in my tranny was aluminum and it threw me for a loop the start with. You are welcome for the help, i help anytime i can i know how it is when you have to fix things yourself.

[busboy4]

Hi,
I had a similar problem, and as the others have said, it turned out that I did not get the whole o-ring out. It is a ring of metal covered with the rubber/plastic. Once I realized what the problem was I used a wide blade screwdriver to gently pry the remaining o-ring out. It takes a fair amount of pressure to seat the new filter into place but it should go with a moderate amount of pressure and some side-to-side motion.
For what it is worth, Autozone has the same part number for the filter on the 3.8 or 3.0.
Good luck

[rbruhn]

Originally Posted by cbailey

It's possible that it could be part of the old o ring, that is what i ran into. the old o ring in my tranny was aluminum and it threw me for a loop the start with. You are welcome for the help, i help anytime i can i know how it is when you have to fix things yourself.

I realized after my last post, and after thinking about your reply, that I could just go out and cut the new filter stem I broke in half. Sure enough, there is a metal ring inside. So now I just need to figure out what tool to use to get it out? What did you use?

Thanks again

[rbruhn]

I read on another site that some guy used snap ring pliers. Gonna give that a try. Will post result here in case someone ever comes looking.

Thanks for the help.

[12Ounce]

This is a miserable design. And once you get all of the old o-ring out and insert the new filter ... it then sticks in place, and is a problem the next time.

Now I just pull off and discard the o-rings on new filters and keep reusing the old stuck-in-place o-ring.

[wiswind]

YES...there is metal inside the gasket....sorry for not posting sooner....
Hopefully this will help.
I used needle nose pliers.....you need to bend part of the gasket metal in.....which I was able to do with the pliers. I have pictures of this in my pictures (the most recent ones....at the bottom).
Your car should be identical...

http://community.webshots.com/album/201931518cScpNK

NOTE: The fluid that I used is correct for my '96...
It is NOT correct for your '98. Everything else will be identical.

I just did this a couple of weeks ago....so it is fresh in my mind.
The new filter should NOT be hard at all to press up in there.

[rbruhn]

Update.

I tried using the snap ring pliers and they didn't work very well. Probably because I had already stripped the gasket to the metal.

I tried the idea by busboy4. Useing a large head screw driver. I pushed the head of the screw driver against the metal of the o-ring, and used the edge of the hole as leverage. It popped out with no problem at all. So easy I felt stupid.

anyway, new filter installed easily after that.
Thanks for the help.

[wiswind]

Don't feel stupid.
I was VERY uncomfortable about pulling that gasket out of there when I saw the metal. Looking at the new filter.....I would not have guessed that it had metal inside the gasket....so I was not real comfortable bending it....and pulling on it. Now.....2nd time around for me.....It does have metal....as you can see in the picture I posted. Which is why I posted several pictures on the gasket....

[busboy4]

I agree with wiswind. Don't feel stupid. I lost the better part of an afternoon messing with mine. I finally called a local tranny shop and the guy was nice telling me they often stick. I went out and looked carefully at the new one and the problem became obvious.
Glad it worked out

[phil-l]

A different approach:

I ran into the same issue on my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8.

I didn't like the idea of prying on the seal still up inside the (expensive) transmission, so instead I removed the seal from the (cheap) filter. Yes, this means I'm using an old seal with a new filter - but the seal appears to be remarkably durable (it's work to get it off of the filter, too) and in excellent shape.