Normal Transmission Behavior??

[rcryniak]

Measure twice, cut once, always.

...a saying that applies to far more than carpentry.

If uncertain of what was in the transmission, I would get a flush done with Motorcraft LV fluid. ... If you want to follow the idea of the YouTube video, and are confident you will get the steps right and not allow air into the system, go for it.

I feel confident that I won't introduce air if I... literally don't introduce air!! I was wondering what you all thought of that step - blowing out the transmission cooler. Been reading the service manual - they document both drain and fill and exchange procedures. I looked up the device (HOLY PRICEY AS @#$%) and it seems like pumping into the one side and letting the other side drain is exactly what that device does. However, not wanting to pay thousands for such a machine, I'd have to order a couple of cheapo pumps and such to get it done right. I'm sure two of them (on pulling one pushing) would accomplish the same thing if their pressures were the same, but now we're getting sorta complicated.

Plus, once I get this done, I'll probably just drain and fill periodically like you guys do. That being the case, I'm not sure if it's worth buying those pumps and NOT going somewhere that will do the flush for me. So, at this point, I guess I'll look around for another place that will use the Mercon LV, and if I can't I'll be ordering some equipment to do this.... if only Autozone had one of those free rentals for one of those pricey machines, that'd be sweet.

EDIT: If only this guy were local 2 u!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/5496939574.html

omg, I don't even care if that was taken off the truck Fast n' Furious style, I'd take a case, for sure, haha. Probably the whole lot.

 

[SHOnUup4]

Just bought a case from Ford the other day for 5.40 a quart also...paid 50 cents more last year. Always ask for a case price then too.

I've always been against a trans "flush", if you can't service the filter, no reason to push all the debris into it...just to be pushed back out all at once in the future.

Drain & fill FTW.

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[rcryniak]

I've always been against a trans "flush", if you can't service the filter, no reason to push all the debris into it...just to be pushed back out all at once in the future.

Drain & fill FTW.

Fair enough, so power flushing is a bad idea, makes sense - don't want the transmission biting off more than it can chew... but what about just a gentle, but thorough flush, like in the video, where he fills via gravity until it comes out clear?

 

[SHOnUup4]

Fair enough, so power flushing is a bad idea, makes sense - don't want the transmission biting off more than it can chew, proverbially speaking... but what about just a gentle, but thorough flush, like in the video, where he fills via gravity until it comes out clear?

I'm not an expert on the inner workings of the trans or filter location...but, my mechanic has always told me to avoid flushing the trans if you can't take the filter out and replace or clean.

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[rcryniak]

It really does make sense to me, I'm really wondering now why it's in the Service Manual as a described procedure for fluid exchange; listed separately from a drain & fill.

 

[SHOnUup4]

It really does make sense to me, I'm really wondering now why it's in the Service Manual as a described procedure for fluid exchange; listed separately from a drain & fill.

Hey, Ford says the fluid in the PTU is lifetime of the vehicle...I won't put over 15k on it without changing

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[rcryniak]

Oooo... fair point!!

 

[rcryniak]

Just been reading up on pros/cons for a flush, seems like doing a flush without changing the filter is what's bad - not only can what you describe maybe happen, but a blocked up filter can starve the transmission for oil, and they don't seem to have a bypass like the engine does. However, proponents seem to say it's vastly superior to drain and fill if you also drop the pain and change the filter. FordParts.com sells it for $30. So what do you guys think of a flush with a filter change... still inadvisable?

 

[SHOdded]

You do realize the trans case has to be cracked open to change the screen and as such is a major service item. There is no pan that can simply be dropped to retrieve the screen. "Lifetime".

 

[rcryniak]

Methinks you underestimate my noobishness. I read somewhere on there they were "lifetime" but figured that meant inaccessible - can't seem to find any procedures in the service manual/software either - so I guess pricey to get that done? Worth it? Sounds like if there's crud that can/should be expelled rather than merely caught by a net. I did find it on FordParts, as well as an aftermarket one at Advanced AutoParts website. Looks the same. Does this mean it's serviceable but just a PITA? Bottom line, I don't fully understand what this means... does it mean drop the entire transmission to get to it?? Like several hundred bucks, etc.?

 

[SHOdded]

You got it! The trans has to be dropped, the case broken into its' halves (so you will see all the internal mechanisms (gears, clutches, etc) exposed), then you can remove the screen and replace it.

But really, all that is NOT necessary if you simply drain & fill. Check what you collect on the first drain. There should be no visible particulate matter. Stir the collected fluid so everything is dispersed evenly, then blot a small amount on a paper towel. All you should see is fluid, no gunk, no metallic particles. You might see a small amount of fine metallic particles collected on the drain plug (magnetic) itself, and this is normal. If it all looks good so far, continue with the drain & fill.

I highly advise not overthinking this. Get some data first on the current state of your transmission, then come back with questions & evidence. Now that you have heard from owners of the two of the fastest SHOs around, stick with the drain & fill. It's easy, DIY, and gets the job done. Then concentrate on enjoying the car

 

[rcryniak]

Awesome, Thanks SHOdded

 

[rcryniak]

Just wanted to post a follow up. I took my wife's Escape to the store today (was working on upgrades to my ride ) and her Escape is the 2014 Titanium EcoBoost. So, I figured... "why didn't I think of this before, let me try to duplicate rev hang on this EcoBoost." Sure enough, it does it too. It just takes 3x longer to get up to max RPM haha.