Community Forums

dlduck · 09-22-2018, 06:54 AM

Can anyone tell me if they have changed their own transmission fluid on the Ford V-10/ F-53 chassis and what the fluid capacity is? I am attempting to change my own engine oil and transmission fluid and have very little for manuals. I believe from what I have read that the oil capacity is 6 quarts but have found nothing for transmission fluid capacity. I have just reached the 30,000 mile point and trying to get everything ready before hitting the road again to head South for the winter. Is there anything else I should be looking at to get ready?
Thanks,
Dave

vettenuts · 09-22-2018, 07:08 AM

Not sure on the Ford chassis, but any grease fittings. What I do with mine is drain the transmission and then empty the fluid into a measured container. The paint containers at Home Depot work great for this. Then I know exactly how much to put back in and be near perfect on fluid level. On the Allison in my Workhorse, there is a cold range the fluid must be in before driving. Then drive and re-check hot.

I would ask on the Ford F53 chassis forum if there is a place to download the se vice manual.

Waiter21 · 09-22-2018, 07:38 AM

If its a 4R100, I believe it 19 quarts. Plan on about 5 gallons if you do a Drain-fill.

I did this method on my Ole 2001 Mirada a few years ago. This method replaces about 95% of the fluid with fresh clean fluid. Theres a complete detailed How-To on my web site that I got from the Truck forum people.

Basically:

Drain the pan then re-fill the pan with fresh fluid.
Remove the cooler return line and place it in a bucket.
Run the engine to push old fluid out, re-filling the pan with fresh fluid as you go.

Mirada – Ford F53 Transmission flush – 2001 Coachmen Mirada 300QB

There is a lot of F53 stuff on my old Mirada site, and also my new 1999 Southwind site. Both of these may apply to your F53..

http://www.1999southwind.com/

..

olly72 · 09-22-2018, 11:12 AM

I just did mine but I am no expert. The manual called for 17.5 qts. BUT that did not take into account that about 5 qts. are still in the system even after you drop the pan. That lead me to over fill the transmission causing a lot of smoke since the transmission has some sort of relief valve that was spitting out the extra fluid. I would suggest putting in about 12 qts. then using the dipstick to get an exact level. Man I thought I had really blown the transmission but was calmed down by my mechanic.

wackymac · 09-24-2018, 05:14 AM

If you are going to just drain the pan, I would do as vettenuts says. In the 4R100 it's about 6 quarts.

Sweetbriar · 09-24-2018, 03:49 PM

Which transmission do you have? Does the button on the end of the shifter say OD On/Off or Tow Haul On/Off?

I have the five speed (Tow Haul) and can drain 12 quarts by using compressed air at the external filter housing to blow out the cooler. The Ford spec for the 2006 chassis is 19 quarts. See page 7 of the PDF.

Since you'll be draining original oil and as long as the level on the dip stick is good the best thing to do is refill the transmission with the same amount you drain. Find yourself a 3 gallon bucket and start filling it up one quart at a time and mark the side of the bucket.

Or you could follow this You Tube video -