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B Dubya · 03-01-2016, 03:33 PM

On the way back from our trip, the right front brake started making noise. Uh-Oh. So I went up and talked to the mechanic and made an appointment. While talking he asked about other service that had been done to the vehicle, including transmission. Never done anything to it I told him. Almost 45000 miles. I drive up and down those mountains on I-5 at least twice a year, pulling a 5000 lb trailer. He said I should probably have the tranny serviced at 30k, I'm almost at 50k, and he uses synthetic fluid at around 8 bucks a quart (Never heard of this B4!). And thusly, the job ain't cheap!!! Is he throwing the hook out seeing if I'll bite, or am I overdue for fluid and filter(s), and a synthetic would be better for my application? Got 2 trips up and down those mountains this summer. Tranny failure just might ruin my day. Maybe I should just suck it up. I want a DP, and I've heard even putting air in the tires costs more in a DP compared to a gasser!

Thanx, Dubya

Hit_the_Rhod · 03-01-2016, 03:50 PM

Silly question, did you check the manufacturers manual for recommended maintenance intervals? That should be your first stop when someone suggests "required maintenance". If the service manual says change transmission fluid at 45k miles, than do it!

One other item. You may want to check into how he actually "services" the transmission. How many of the many quarts of oil actually get removed when draining? Does he drain the torque converter? Will he only partly drain the oil, but charge you $8 for the entire capacity of the transmission? Does he replace the filter? How about the gasket? Find out exactly what he is doing for your money!

B Dubya · 03-01-2016, 03:55 PM

Check the manual for recommendations? Why would I do that?

We actually talked extensively about the job. It's the filters, gasket and pan. He'll drain the fluid, do the work, then reinstall the old fluid and push out all of the old while adding the new, including the T converter. I 'spose I could go read the manual, but that's work. Ya know???

t55watson · 03-01-2016, 04:03 PM

My son is a tech in the auto manufacturer Tranny test industry.. He has told me many times...if it's red and doesn't have a burned odor , don't touch it. Some new vehicles don't even have a dip stick. If it will make you feel better, go for it. Synthetic is the new norm.

B Dubya · 03-01-2016, 04:17 PM

Well, several manuals that I have say change out the fluid (no mention of filters, etc) at 30k miles if I have one of the following trannys...AX4S, AX4N, 4R70W, 4R100, or 4F27E. Now I'm trying to find out what tranny came with the Triton V-10 on a 53 chassis. Regardless, I'll assume I'm a little overdue on new fluid!

DDDonkey · 03-01-2016, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B Dubya

Well, several manuals that I have say change out the fluid (no mention of filters, etc) at 30k miles if I have one of the following trannys...AX4S, AX4N, 4R70W, 4R100, or 4F27E. Now I'm trying to find out what tranny came with the Triton V-10 on a 53 chassis. Regardless, I'll assume I'm a little overdue on new fluid!

I have an 2007 chassis ford and the tranny is the torqshift 5speed, and ford calls for the fluid to be done at 30K, I know because mine is due and will be done this month at 32K.

hayward3411 · 03-01-2016, 06:10 PM

I just changed my transmission filters and added two gallons on Transcend fluid. No flush just added what drained out when filters were removed.

Filters- $65.00
TranSynd- $80.00

Total Cost- $145.00

B Dubya · 03-01-2016, 06:15 PM

Yeah, except 2 gallons is about half of the total fill, which means half your fluid is still really old stuff. When I do a tranny, I want it all. I'm thinking I'll pay. The downside is, we might be selling this MH after this summer in preparation to get a DP. Not really wasted money as it enhances the sell point, just hate throwing money around. Oh well!

bearaboo · 03-01-2016, 09:55 PM

I change all fluids every 30000 miles on my Class E-450 V-10. My local mechanic does the service using BG products and equipment. It is my understanding that the BG machines are fluid exchange units, not flushing machines.

B Dubya · 03-01-2016, 10:02 PM

Correct. It wont be a flush, it's a fluid exchange. Quite honestly, I don't understand the diff. It's out with the old and in with the new. ??????

F4Gary · 03-01-2016, 10:13 PM

I think all tranny "flush" machines are actually fluid exchange machines.

spyderRV · 03-02-2016, 01:40 AM

I don't know if your 2001 F53 4r100 transmission torque converter has a drain plug like my 1999. If it does you could drain the entire transmission, drop the pan and change the filter, re-use the pan gasket, re-fill with mercon-V for less than 100 bones!

TonyMac · 03-02-2016, 06:26 AM

Be careful of tranny flushes. Most are exchanges where you hey someone else's old fluid mixed in with your old fluid. What did the engineers and geeks recommend? Answer: not a flush. Drain what you can, change the filter, refill with fresh fluid iaw the manufacturers specs, as the university educated engineers and geeks who designed and built the thing advise. They usually recommend maintenance above what testing would indicate to ensure the survival and good reputation of their thing. Or you can take the word of a high school educated mechanic/saleman looking to make a buck. Your choice...