Transmission Flush

[brokenot]

I would like to point out that most transmission problems are not going to happen under the warranty so it's not really in the manufacturers interests to clearly spell out to the home mechanic the correct way of doing what they call of at the service intervals.

I was *kind of* waiting for someone to say something like that. But here's the thing, you're implying that since most transmission problems are not going to occur under warranty, then the manufacturers don't care how a given vehicle is maintained. And that's ludicrous.

Why is there a maintenance schedule listed then at all?

To take it a step further, what does this mean?

so it's not really in the manufacturers interests...

Once again, you're implying that they either don't want you to, or don't care if you.....maintain the vehicle correctly. In other words, you're saying that they're saying, that "the transmission will probably make it through the warranty period with no issues anyway....so even though we go to the trouble of specifying a maintenance schedule for it....we're not going to say how we really want that maintenance done".

And to think a few posts up someone said my ship was sinking.

It's true that what I find from Ford says to change the fluid. It doesn't say to flush or not flush. But it also doesn't say how to change the fluid.

What has a fluid change meant for years? Why, if a person searches for information about this on the 'net, do their searches always lead them to a DIY-ers own "preferred version" of what a manufacturer "means" when they say "change"?

So far, (despite several invitations on my part), one person has stepped up with a scan from a service manual. Read the pages he posted and tell me this: Whose view does his service manual support? Here's a hint: Before the text detailing the recommended change procedure, it says this in plain-as-day English:

"For proper service intervals, refer to lubrication and maintenance schedules..."

So what's an owner to do? Well, you refer to the schedule....which we all *seem to* agree upon. Then we go to a service manual where it tells us how to go about doing it. And what does it tell us to do?

Do the manual pages he, (and he alone), has posted leave the recommended procedure up for whole lot of interpretation? C'mon....someone dissect the information he posted from a service manual and "interpret" what it means for me. Apply all the ol'-fashioned, down-home, folksy "common sense" you want and see if you can twist what's on the service manual pages into something that supports your point.

So you say these factory trained mechanics at the Ford dealership haven't learned how to do it right yet?

I've seen a whole bunch of "factory trained" mechanics do things the wrong way. Are you saying they never do? I could bore you to death with lots of examples if you want. As an aside, what <cough> factory trained <cough> mechanics often do, is what they're told to do. By all means print (at least) the last couple of pages of posts and take them to your dealer. Have him read them, and then post up exactly what he says in response. If he chooses to not comment on the topic here directly, then ask him for evidence in writing that originated from the manufacturer that details what the manufacturer says should be done at the recommended service intervals.

If he supplies you with supporting information, by all means post it up here because that's much more valuable than all of this "maybe they mean this", nonsense.

If he balks at supplying you with said evidence in writing, well.....feel free to share that as well.

 

[Bird]

What has a fluid change meant for years?

Well, I'm old enough to remember when automatic transmissions had a drain plug just like the crankcase. Maybe you're not.

So far, (despite several invitations on my part), one person has stepped up with a scan from a service manual. Read the pages he posted and tell me this: Whose view does his service manual support?

Probably he's the only one who has a service manual. I used to buy them myself, but not recently. But that's for a Dodge and I drive Fords.:laughing: And he didn't say what year model(s) that manual is for.

I've seen a whole bunch of "factory trained" mechanics do things the wrong way. Are you saying they never do?

Of course some do things the wrong way. But the whole dealership or whole service department????? In a dealership that's been there for over 50 years??? Kinda doubtful in my opinion, but I'm not saying impossible.

By all means print (at least) the last couple of pages of posts and take them to your dealer. Have him read them, and then post up exactly what he says in response. If he chooses to not comment on the topic here directly, then ask him for evidence in writing that originated from the manufacturer that details what the manufacturer says should be done at the recommended service intervals.

If he supplies you with supporting information, by all means post it up here because that's much more valuable than all of this "maybe they mean this", nonsense.

If he balks at supplying you with said evidence in writing, well.....feel free to share that as well.

Now that would really be a silly waste of my time, since I'm not the one getting excited or upset because people won't do it my way.:laughing: But if you'd like to do that, I'll be glad to give you the dealer's name. In fact, it's Bill Utter Ford in Denton, TX. And I've known and trusted them a lot longer than I've known you. As I said before, I'm all in favor of you doing it your way on your vehicles. I just posted what the dealer (service writer) told me for anyone's information. Everyone is welcome to take it for what it's worth, believe it or not.:laughing:

 

[orezok]

Probably he's the only one who has a service manual. I used to buy them myself, but not recently. But that's for a Dodge and I drive Fords.:laughing: And he didn't say what year model(s) that manual is for.

The manual is specific for a 2006 Dodge truck but the post is for the RFE 545 5 speed transmission which has been in use 2001 through the current models.

 

[Illini22]

Broke, since you have the manual. How much trans fluid does it tell you to change?

 

[timswi]

There are plenty of things to argue about in life...This just ain't one of them.

 

[Diamondpilot]

There are plenty of things to argue about in life...This just ain't one of them.

I could not agree more. We have Ford and Chevy fights to get back to.

Just joking.

As for drain plugs in the pan every truck I own has one along with my neighbors Dmax. Most new vehicles do not even have a filter anymore of if they do its external spin on like a oil filter. Heck, even my 96 and 99 GM cars had that.:thumbsup:

Chris

 

[timswi]

I could not agree more. We have Ford and Chevy fights to get back to.Just joking.

As for drain plugs in the pan every truck I own has one along with my neighbors Dmax. Most new vehicles do not even have a filter anymore of if they do its external spin on like a oil filter. Heck, even my 96 and 99 GM cars had that.:thumbsup:

Chris

Oddly enough, GM and Ford fights make more sense to me than this does.

On that note...While peeking around corners at Disney, they have the biggest fleet of Chevy trucks I've ever seen...Sorry, couldn't help it...True though.

 

[Illini22]

On a side note, I took my truck in for cooling flush because I was paranoid about putting regular tap water thru the system. I hear it can do damage to the gaskets and such. Is there a way to safely due it? I thought the manual said distiller water only.

 

[timswi]

On a side note, I took my truck in for cooling flush because I was paranoid about putting regular tap water thru the system. I hear it can do damage to the gaskets and such. Is there a way to safely due it? I thought the manual said distiller water only.

Yeah, you can buy a few gallons of distilled water...Although I've never had tap water problems with cooling systems, even though it's supposed to be a no-no. I have well water, which is probably worse...Don't really know.

 

[Sabretooth]

Just purchased an 03 silverado that I plan on doing some towing with. It has 100k miles and I want to change the transmission fluid. I have been told by one mechanic that a flush is the best option, I have been told by another mechanic to drop the pan and change the filter, he claims a flush isn't the answer cause you want to leave some fluid in the system. He explained that the clutch additives were helpful. (or something to that effect) Any thoughts?

I did not read the whole thing Just the beginning. That much mileage with no prior servicing you are risking just rebuilding the tranny. I know no one that would do a service on that vehicle with no prior flush OR dropping and cleaning the magnets. I would at least keep half the original fluid and reuse if you are that set on doing this because the used fluid is not as hard on it as the new would be.

Is there a reason you feel you need to do this?

Again sorry I just could not bear to read through the entire thread