Changing Automatic Xmission Fluid

[DonSor]

In the past I just drained the automatic transmission fluid thru the pan and changed the filter. That only replaces a fraction of the total amount of fluid. I read that I can drain all the fluid by removing the converter houwing lower cover, turn the converter until the plug is visible, and drain the fluid by removing the plug. Has anyone done this before. Was it easy to locate the plug. Any other pointer/s is appreciated.

[backerm1]

there is sometimes a drain on the converter. just spin the flywheel around with a screwdriver until you can get a socket on it. Alot of shops are offering flushes now though. That gets all 12 qts replaced.

[DonSor]

I went under the vehicle today but I did not see any removable cover from the torque converter housing. In fact from what I see, the only way to remove the torque converter cover is to remove the transmission. I have the four speed type transmission. I'll check on just having the shop do it.

[DonSor]

Not all Rangers have covers at the bottom of the torque converter houseing. Mine was one without. I decided to simply drop the pan, replace the filter and refill with Mercon VB ATF. The shops do have a device that will force all the old fluid out however, I was told that at times that procedure causes problem by possibiliy of pushing any debris to critical areas in the transmission.

[backerm1]

my 2.3L has an access hole in the bottom of the engine oil pan. coarse this is usually covered in several layers of oil, road grime, and dried mud. Did you look behind the starter?
yes it is possible that a flush will loosen up the old containiments. it also does not include a filter and gasket replacement. however there is not much additional cost other than the added cost of ATF and additives. it is my opinion that a flush is a superior tranny service to the old pan/filter change.

[DonSor]

Yes I looked all over, at least all around the housing. No cover. The manua did state that in some models the the maufacturer did not install the cover. I already drained the fluid and replaced the filter. Works OK so far.

[manlystanley]

Originally Posted by DonSor

In the past I just drained the automatic transmission fluid thru the pan and changed the filter. That only replaces a fraction of the total amount of fluid. I read that I can drain all the fluid by removing the converter houwing lower cover, turn the converter until the plug is visible, and drain the fluid by removing the plug. Has anyone done this before. Was it easy to locate the plug. Any other pointer/s is appreciated.

Do you have external cooling coils for your tranny? With my volvo I un-hooked the cooling tower and then kept on puttin in new ATF fluid until the outgoing fluid (from the disconnected line) turned pinkish/red. For my other cars I've just dropped the pans.

Cann't help any on rangers though. Mines a manual.

Best Regards,
Stan

[DonSor]

There's a line that goes in and out at the bottim of the radiator which I believe goes into a coil of some sort inside the radiator. it's not a good place to drain the tranny however and it also may not drain most of the fluid.