Deerhunter4

Ordered a Motorcraft transmission filter and fuel filter along with a Dorman pan with drain plug. Also ordered a Dorman FPDM because mine looks like it might have corrosion issues in the near future. Going to start on things this weekend. My truck just rolled over 100k so if ignited it's a good time. I already have new plugs and coils. Also going to flush the coolant and change front and rear diffs and the transfer case.

My plan on the transmission is to drop the pan and change the filter and reinstall the Dorman pan and then refill. I think I'll drain the fluid again in 5k miles or so. I will do this cycle 3 or 4 times and that should put mostly new fluid in the trans. Since I'm not reusing the stock pan is it ok to drill a hole in it to drain it to try to minimize the mess?

She'll be good as new pretty soon. My custom 5 star tune will go on next week when my Livewire gets back from SCT.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Yes, drilling a small hole works great to drain it. Just use a depth limiter. I also did what you said and drained and refilled 4 times with about 3 quarts each time. Nice clean red fluid that keeps my temps under 150.

Deerhunter4

How deep is too deep?

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

1/2"

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

I drilled a small pilot hole and installed a B&M drain plug. 3/4" may be fine, I was just nervous but all ended well.

Mod (Ret.)

For those seeing trans temps below the 160's during the daytime, do you tow? What state are you in?

I'm in Central Florida, and when pulling my camper (6000 pounds), I'm seeing transmission temps in the 200 range with our current summer outside temps of 96 to 98 degreees. Even without the camper, the Edge is showing 147 in the morning, and 160's in the afternoon. And this is with the factory tow option and transmission cooler. I've also installed an engine oil cooler to help cool the engine.

Not denying that dropping or draining the pan gets some clean fluid into the trans, but it can't be getting all fresh fluid into it, even after 4 to 5 changes. To me, it would be like draining only 2 quarts of engine oil, and adding two fresh quarts. As soon as you start up the truck and drive, the 3 fresh quarts you added got mixed with the remaining 6 or 7 dirty quarts.

I know many don't like the flush (for whatever reason), but I've done it on the last 4 Ford trucks I've owned with no ill effects. My local AAMCO shop does it with a low pressure system; its a newer system they state. However, there are so many threads floating on the interweb about flushing, its caused folks to steer away. Simply put, they connect the lines from the tranny to the radiater/cooler to their box, and continue to run clean fluid through the transmission. Cost is $150.00. I use my truck often to tow the camper. I currently have 140K on it, and the tranny is fine. My last truck had over 235K on it, and it never had a tranny fault. Son is driving it now.

I'm old fashioned I guess; I believe in replacing all the fluid during a change.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

I live in Kansas, it was 99 yesterday. On my 22 mile commute with speeds up to 75mph trans temp never got over 150, usually 148. I tow but not real often, just to drop the boat in the lake (28' pontoon) once a year.

Mod (Ret.)

Amazing...I tow my camper 100 miles in the same weather, up a few grades (nothing major, but hilly none the less), and I see temps in the 200's, for both the engine and trans.

It must have to do with engine size. I'm towing with the 4.6, and you with the 5.4.

elricfate

I see high 180s to 200s in hot weather with no towing in Ohio (hot being relative, given that I lived in Tampa most of my life, upper 80s and 90s don't bug me here).

2008__XL

For peace of mind, you should have gone with the motorcraft FPDM. I realize it's more money, but there have been instances of the Dorman unit failing.

I've personally had issues with a few Dorman products and will not use them. They're nowhere as good as oem.