Trans fluid change- capacity??

[Dekeman]

I'm not going to jack my own thread previous, so I'll ask separately. How much fluid is drained when dropping the pan/changing filter? I read 6 quarts here before and refilled with that, but it left me a quart and some change low! Do you actually get 7.5 quarts when dropping?

Installing a B&M drain plug kit too, BTW... Going to go for a spot on the side of the pan instead of the recommended way on the bottom. That'd stick out too much IMO.

[serge_saati]

In my book, it's written 4.5 quarts when you refill. Depending of the temp of the fluid, of course.

When you check fluid, trans must be very hot, and engine must running.

If you misses, add fluid. It's possible that you have drained more than normal, it's even better.

[Dekeman]

It talks about fluid changes in your manual? I must have missed that! I've read that thing front to back a couple of times! Of course, I could check the factory service manual I bought on ebay. Duh!! Thanks for the info, Serge!

[serge_saati]

Yes, it talks about trans fluid change.

[wiswind]

What I do, I measure as best I can......the amount of fluid that I take out....and put that same amount back in.
Then I check the fluid (motor running at idle, vehicle on level ground, transmission in PARK) and add as needed.

[Dekeman]

Originally Posted by wiswind

What I do, I measure as best I can......the amount of fluid that I take out....and put that same amount back in.
Then I check the fluid (motor running at idle, vehicle on level ground, transmission in PARK) and add as needed.

I am able do the majority of my work at the Army Auto Craft shop, very fortunately. I can put it on a lift, and I have access to any tool I need, most of which I don't even own! When doing the fluid change, they issue you a rolling oil change pan with the long upright neck, with a large rectangular pan on top for the trans pan. There's no way to measure the amount of fluid released this way unfortunately. So I'm going with my experience from last time, by adding 7.5 quarts, driving for a while, then checking the stick and add from there. I think that'll get me in the ballpark. I'm still surprised that dropping the pan gets that much fluid!

My pan was full of darkish fluid, but not NEARLY the amount of metal sludge like last time (which was the first post-rebuild fluid change at 28K). The magnet held a lot of stuff, which is normal. I went with the 'severe service' 21K interval this time. Also drilled the pan for the B&M universal plug kit. Worked like a charm, and everything is tight as a drum. The spot I picked ended up directly across from the oil drain plug, so getting that off was pretty tight. The AutoZone replacement plug I put in there last time started rounding off, though, so I had to stop the oil change. I'll get a Motorcraft replacement (that isn't so soft- I had the original one until last OCI at 112K and never had trouble) and pry it off with vice grips. That'll teach me to go with the cheap Chinese-made replacement! Will post cell phone pics of the plug install soon. Couldn't find any when I was looking!

[serge_saati]

Originally Posted by Dekeman

There's no way to measure the amount of fluid released this way unfortunately.

For that, it's possible to use empty cola plastic bottles of 20 ounce. Then put all the fluid drained in the bottles through a funnel.

Each bottle equal 0.625 quarts.

[Dekeman]

Originally Posted by serge_saati

For that, it's possible to use empty cola plastic bottles of 20 ounce. Then put all the fluid drained in the bottles through a funnel.

Each bottle equal 0.625 quarts.

Either that or I could take a large bucket and mark off every 2 quarts using a large measuring cup and water. Unfortunately these oil change containers have other people's used oil in them before I get it. I never seem to get an empty one. Maybe someday I'll drop the pan into the bucket and figure it out for good.

[Andrew1941]

I have an 01 and when I did the tranny oil and filter change, seems to me I used 14 or 15 quarts of Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. BY the time you flush all the lines out and empty the pan, a lot of oil comes out. Seems to me you waste a bit by flushing, but you get most of the old oil out which makes the oil change that much more worth while.

[Dekeman]

Originally Posted by Andrew1941

I have an 01 and when I did the tranny oil and filter change, seems to me I used 14 or 15 quarts of Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. BY the time you flush all the lines out and empty the pan, a lot of oil comes out. Seems to me you waste a bit by flushing, but you get most of the old oil out which makes the oil change that much more worth while.

I didn't flush the lines, only dropped the pan and changed the filter. I do have an answer, though! I had to add 8.25 quarts (8 qts and 4 oz) to get the fluid in the middle of the crosshatched area on the stick. It was the perfect amount. Remember to make sure the vehicle is up to operating temperature, shift through all gears, then leave the engine running and check it. Make sure you're on level ground as well.

[wiswind]

You will want to fill it to the top of the full mark......slightly low can cause you to have issues from drawing air instead of fluid from the pan.....particularly when cornering.

[Dekeman]

I read that in another post; the author mentioned that there was a TSB on it, but I could not find it while web searching. Any search only turned up the summary, not the entire bulletin. I'm thinking it's going to take about half to 3/4 of a quart to get it all the way full from halfway on the crosshatched area.

[wiswind]

TSB 99-18-4 issued 09/06/99 "Harsh 3-2 Downshift/Shudder on accelleration/turns.
States that this can be caused by air entering the pickup tube due to low fluid level.
Solution is to fill the fluid level to the TOP of the hash mark area at operating temperature of 150 - 170 degrees F. (Checking fluid with vehicle warm, on level ground, at idle, in PARK).

Correct fluid is now Mercon V rated fluid for all years of windstar.

[Dekeman]

Wow- thanks for posting the whole thing! Would this apply to a 2003 as well? I guess if the trans is the same, it would do the same thing.

[wiswind]

I am guessing that it would be the same for all years.