Community Forums

baloo · 07-13-2017, 08:12 AM

This is a cross post from the THor forum, as this might be the better place to get answers.

I know this has been address HUNDREDS of times on these forums, but I've spent well over an hour going thru the internet and posts on IRV2 looking for the best DIY method to change the trans fluid in our 2012 Outlaw (F53 chassis).

Yah yah yah, I took out the tranny pan plug and I emptied about 7.5qts of oil (I measured it). That's the best any of the on-line posts have shown.
But, how do I get the other 10 or so qts out?
I don't see access to the torque converter (no inspection plate that I can unbolt -- unless my eyes skipped past one).

No, I don't have access to compressed air, although I do have long plastic tubes and a hand pump for extracting oil.

Sorry to re-beat this topic to a pulp again, but searching for "F53 transmission oil change" results in incredible topics that do not relate to trannie oil changes at all.

Thanks.

1doodadd · 07-13-2017, 10:45 AM

Have you tried talking to your local Ford dealer about the service procedures? Talk to a service writer for the dealer near you.

old woody · 07-13-2017, 10:56 AM

Some believe it's best not to shock a transmission by changing all the fluid at one time. I would drain out what you can & replace that exact amount. Next year do the same thing & so on.

TeJay · 07-13-2017, 11:30 AM

About the only precaution I ever heard regarding changing tranny fluid was this. If it hasn't been changed in 70,000 or 80,000 miles often dirt that is staying where it is suddenly see this new fluid which may have detergents in is similar to oil and those particles become dislodged and sometimes find a new place to hide and cause shifting issues.

When shops have a few of these they shy away from a tranny like that.

I believe the newer method which is to connect a pump at the fluid cooler lines and flush all the fluid out and install new. I have had one vehicle done that way and at that time it was under $100.

I think that's what I'll investigate doing when the time comes. On the other hand from a DIY perspective there's nothing wrong with changing part of the fluid every few years. It helps to renew any issues with the fluid and does change at least 50% of the fluid. In the long run that may be the most economical as well.

twinboat · 07-13-2017, 11:55 AM

Ford has a procedure of disconnecting one of the cooling lines and running the engine to pump the fluid out. I think you do it twice.

Waiter21 · 07-13-2017, 12:56 PM

My 2001 Mirada had a 4R100. I used the "Fill / Flush" method, basically disconnect the cooler return line.

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

.

baloo · 07-13-2017, 02:27 PM

THANKS TO ALL FOR THE GREAT INFORMATION!

Made this much much easier.

FYI, this is a 2012 THor Outlaw (Ford V-10/F53) with 21,xxx miles. So the fluid is nicely pink and not much mileage, but it has been around over 5 years.

I will disconnect the trans cooler lines and see how much more I can get out. From there, I just MIGHT attempt a makeshift air pump to try to blow fluid out a line -- however, not sure which cooler line in LINE-IN. Worst case, I'll just experiment.

Thanks again.

Waiter21 · 07-13-2017, 02:48 PM

I'm a little concerned about using air to blow tranny fluid...

I have no basis for this concern other than I don't know exactly whats in the tranny that could be damaged by compressed air.

If you do the flush fill method, this should easily replace 90-95% of the fluid in the tranny.

Boondockin · 07-13-2017, 03:01 PM

Mine is a 1999 4R100 4 speed transmission... it has a drain plug in the torque converter... I dropped the pan on mine... changed the fluid and filter... removed the little dust cover on the bell housing... had my Dad bump the starter until the drain plug lined up with the dust cover hole... removed the plug... drained it... took a little while to refill it... that's before I learned the TeJay pump sprayer bottle method...

mikf · 07-13-2017, 03:12 PM

My 2002 f53 says every 30,000 miles drain the pan and refill the 7 quarts. If it is good enough for Ford it is good enough for me.

baloo · 07-13-2017, 04:00 PM

I am trying to unfasten the trans cooler lines from the radiator cooler, but these are not the typical fuel line, quick disconnect, fittings for which I have the usual plastic push ring tools. They are too wide to fit in the space in front of the fitting!

See attached pix.
Is there a different special tool, or do these actually unbolt (about a 7/8" nut)??
Thanks.

John Wayne · 07-13-2017, 04:07 PM

While your at it cut the trans cooler return line and install a inline filter NAPA part #1-8721. Same one Ford requires to be installed if the trans has to be rebuilt. Then just change that every 15,000 miles and forget about the screen one inside the trans pan.

pasdad1 · 07-13-2017, 05:37 PM

The trick with pumping fluid out the cooler line requires the trans to be full of fluid first.

Fill it back up before taking the cooler line off. Then attach a temporary hose to the metal line and direct that into a bucket or empty gallon jug.

Start the engine and fluid will be pumped out the hose. Stop the engine after 1/2 gallon is pumped out. You don't want the pump to run dry and get air in the system.

Pour back exactly the same amount of new fluid into the trans filler tube as was pumped out.

Repeat the process, half gallon at a time. Look for the fluid pumping out to change from old and dark, to new and bright red.....then you know all the fluid is fresh.

Mark Kovalsky · 07-13-2017, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old woody

Some believe it's best not to shock a transmission by changing all the fluid at one time.

Those that believe this don't know anything about transmissions. This is NOT true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

About the only precaution I ever heard regarding changing tranny fluid was this. If it hasn't been changed in 70,000 or 80,000 miles often dirt that is staying where it is suddenly see this new fluid which may have detergents in is similar to oil and those particles become dislodged and sometimes find a new place to hide and cause shifting issues.

When shops have a few of these they shy away from a tranny like that.

That's an old wive's tale. There is a hint of truth behind it, though.

Shops tend to shy away from severly neglected transmission fluid changes because the only reason someone decides to finally change the fluid after ignoring it for years is that the trans starts to act up. So they have the fluid changed. The problem is that the trans was already damaged from years of neglect. New fluid can't fix the damage and the trans fails. Now they blame the new fluid, when in fact the trans was about destroyed before the new fluid was installed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

I believe the newer method which is to connect a pump at the fluid cooler lines and flush all the fluid out and install new. I have had one vehicle done that way and at that time it was under $100.

Yes it is. That is a very effective way to change the fluid on a 2002 or older, though the F53 gas modles didn't get this trans until 2005. Starting with the TorqShift transmission in 2003 there is an internal thermostat. If the pump that's used to change the fluid doesn't heat the fluid to keep the thermostat open the fluid exchange won't work. You'll end up with most of the old fluid still in the trans and most of the new fluid in the waste tank. But it will appear that it's working.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

On the other hand from a DIY perspective there's nothing wrong with changing part of the fluid every few years. It helps to renew any issues with the fluid and does change at least 50% of the fluid. In the long run that may be the most economical as well.

That's a good way to maintain the transmission.

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Ford has a procedure of disconnecting one of the cooling lines and running the engine to pump the fluid out. I think you do it twice.

See above about the warning for a 2005 or newer chassis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baloo

I will disconnect the trans cooler lines and see how much more I can get out. From there, I just MIGHT attempt a makeshift air pump to try to blow fluid out a line -- however, not sure which cooler line in LINE-IN. Worst case, I'll just experiment.

You'll be able to change some of the fluid this way. Almost as much as changing what's in the pan, but you will waste a lot of new fluid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

I'm a little concerned about using air to blow tranny fluid...

It won't hurt anything, but on the other hand, it won't get out an appreciable amount of fluid, either.

Here's how I change the fluid on a transmission that does not have a thermostat. https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...-transmission/