To Flush or Not To Flush, That is the Question

[NorthernSHO]

Well in some recent posts I have talked about my recent problems with my transmission. I figured my first steps will be to run the codes and see if perhaps my tranny temp sensor or something is screwed up and my second step would be to change my tranny fluid with redline synthetic, and replace my tranny filter as well.

My problem is I have been told by some to leave the transmission alone as changing the fluid may put my tranny over the edge. I have also been told by the Ford dealer in town that it is not a good idea to mix regular tranny fluid with synthetic and that it would be bad for the transmission to change types when the tranny is this old.

On the other hand I have been told by others that doing tranny fluid changes every 50,000km or so is a good way to extend the life of the ATX and that using redline synthetic is the only way to go even if it has never been in my car before.

What should I do?

Brett

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

Beign an ATX guy myself, I have the following to offer: If your tranny is gonna go, its gonna go, so something like flushing it will only be a way to perhaps prolong the inevitable. Some say it accelerates the inevitable. It just depends on who you ask. (Note Sdpatt's buddy in TX with the white ATX has gone thru a fair share of tranny's and will have a different opinion than the guy whos dad put 230,000 on the original 94-95 atx tranny). The truth is, there is no direct correlation that says if the tranny and fluid are old and you flush and fill with new fluid, then the thing will blow up. It just depends on your situation.

Now I dont know how many miles you have on your car, but I r&r'ed the gasket and filter then flushedwith Mobil 1 synthetic at 63,000. First time since I bought it at 37,000. Dont know if it was original or not. I havent had a problem and now have 68,000 on it. Did I have shifting problems before? Yea, I bang second at 7500 every now and then because it doesnt want to shift, but now I have a TED B LPM and have not had a problem of that kind since.

My advice is to do it. If it grenades, then so be it, but I would think your chances are greater that it would help.

Do a search on ATX Flushes posted by me to get the procedure I followed along with pitfalls to avoid. I used Mobil1 syn because it was avialable now and 1.00 cheaper than redline while still giving good performance.

keep us posted

 

[NorthernSHO]

Thanks for the response. My car has around 125,000 miles on it or so and my tranny is working fine most of the time but every now and again I'll lose 4th gear. I agree that perhaps I should just flush it and if it dies it dies. I can't really see how flushing the system and replacing the gasket could cause my tranny to go south. I guess we'll see...

 

[SHOfun 93]

IVEYSSHO:
(Note Sdpatt's buddy in TX with the white ATX has gone thru a fair share of tranny's ........

Well that is I he is referring to and I tried an flush to save my last one, and it went shortly after..not saying that is what caused it, but it DID happen...

 

[ISHOU]

Since you haven't done your 60K I'll assume you have about that many miles on your car. Go ahead and flush the system which will get rid of the original fluid, and then replace with Redline if you wish. Flushing your tranny is quite simple. Don't just drop the pan and change half the fluid, change the filter and then flush out the remaining fluid. It will take about 12 quarts.

 

[NorthernSHO]

Actually I should change my sig as I have about half of my 60k done (water pump, timing belt, CPS) and I am way over 60k... I have more like 115k on my car. I have all service records for my car and I know that it has been flushed once by the origninal owner and once by me when I got the car at 90k miles but I don't think the filter has ever been changed. I think I will give it at shot and see what happens. Thanks for everyone's advice!

ISHOU:
Since you haven't done your 60K I'll assume you have about that many miles on your car. Go ahead and flush the system which will get rid of the original fluid, and then replace with Redline if you wish. Flushing your tranny is quite simple. Don't just drop the pan and change half the fluid, change the filter and then flush out the remaining fluid. It will take about 12 quarts.

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

No sooner than I referred to Jeremy, I saw that he smoked tranny number 4 or is close to it. I meant to suggest Jeremy, if it comes down to having to buy another one, doesnt Jasper offer a 75,000 mi warranty? I know you have a warranty on your current problem, but is it that good?

I am on the original still and pray over it daily as I beat the snot out of it.