Transmission drain plug install and pan flush.. With pics..
02-18-2016, 07:24 PM
#351
So I installed my drain plug today from Advance its the Needa version. All seemed to be holding up and no leaks. But here is the strange thing. When I dropped the pan there was no magnet in there at all. I had the transmission serviced about 50,000 miles ago at a local shop who does general repairs but we don't live in that area anymore. So bottom line is my transmission hadn't had a magnet for these past miles. The fluid was dark red and there wasn't any visible shavings or metal in bottom of pan or on the element part of filter that I could see. Since I had it opened up I went ahead and put new filter on, buttoned it up and replaced 5 1/4 quarts of Mercon V. I planned to do another drain soon anyway so I will drain and drop the pan again. I will buy a Motorcraft filter this time as well since the one from Advsnce was really hard to fit and I had to reuse the orange gasket from old one. So now my delima - I can't find a replacement magnet anywhere. Advance doesn't carry them, I don't find it on Rock Auto, SilverState ford, and not on Amazon either. Any ideas where to get a magnet by the time I do the drain and pan drop again in a week or so? Can I just go to lowes or a hardware store and see if they have a magnet that will fit over the nub in pan or does it have to be special magnet?
http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/Pa...rd&model=F-150
02-18-2016, 07:28 PM
#352
Senior Member
Even better^^^ 
02-18-2016, 07:41 PM
#353
02-18-2016, 07:53 PM
#355
I am going to ask my son to get me one. He works at a Ford dealership here in Louisiana. Next time I drop my pan I will place it opposite of the current magnet.
02-18-2016, 08:05 PM
#356
Senior Member
At that price you could buy (2). Put one at the opposite end of the pan. As strong as those magnets are I guarantee you it won't go anywhere! I am going to ask my son to get me one. He works at a Ford dealership here in Louisiana. Next time I drop my pan I will place it opposite of the current magnet.
02-18-2016, 08:07 PM
#357
So here is how I performed my install of the drain plug. I recommend using ramps for best clearance. I jacked up and then used stands but really should have used my ramps. I will next time I drain. I used a 1/8 bit in my cordless drill to make the initial penetration into the location where the drain would go. I was careful to just let the bit make it through and not plunge into the pan. I had a large plastic tub ready and the thin stream of dark red fluid started pouring out. I left it for a couple hours while I went to take a work call. I then used my 3/8 ratchet to break the bond on each 10mm bolt then I zipped them off with my air ratchet which makes it so much easier. I dropped the now empty pan and took off the gasket. That's when I hoticed no magnet. After wiping out the interior I used a 1/4 bit then a 3/8 bit before finishing the drain hole with a 1/2 bit. The hole was very smooth and straight. I did use a flat file and deburred the edges. Then I used some permatex Right Stuff black to make a small bead around the interior side of hole. I inserted the bolt on the supplied nylon washer (mine wasn't fiber) and then pushed it through hole in pan. I then used Permatex Thread Sealant on the threads of the bolt. On the outside I put on a 1/2 white nylon washer I bought and then put on the securing nut. Two 3/4 " sockets in my ratchets helped me tighten it down to the point I was afraid I was deforming the nylon washers. That Permatex Right Stuff sets up within 5 mins but just to be sure I let it sit for 30 mins. Then I installed new filter, placed original gasket back on pan, and started a couple bolts to hold it on. The air ratchet made the install go quick. I snugged them up with my 3/8 ratchet by feel since my torque wrench is 1/2 drive and didn't have suitable 10 mm socket for it. I replaced 5 1/4 quarts of fluid that I measured out from my collection pan then started her up. The first couple times I put it in gears I didn't feel anything but it did finally start to give sensation that transmission was engaging. I let it warm up a bit then gave a spin around the neighborhood. Drove normally to me. I came back and checked -no leaks from drain plug. I checked it again an hour later and still not a drop. There is a clean white cardboard piece under the transmission now and will check it in the morning.
02-18-2016, 09:35 PM
#359
So here is how I performed my install of the drain plug. I recommend using ramps for best clearance. I jacked up and then used stands but really should have used my ramps. I will next time I drain. I used a 1/8 bit in my cordless drill to make the initial penetration into the location where the drain would go. I was careful to just let the bit make it through and not plunge into the pan. I had a large plastic tub ready and the thin stream of dark red fluid started pouring out. I left it for a couple hours while I went to take a work call. I then used my 3/8 ratchet to break the bond on each 10mm bolt then I zipped them off with my air ratchet which makes it so much easier. I dropped the now empty pan and took off the gasket. That's when I hoticed no magnet. After wiping out the interior I used a 1/4 bit then a 3/8 bit before finishing the drain hole with a 1/2 bit. The hole was very smooth and straight. I did use a flat file and deburred the edges. Then I used some permatex Right Stuff black to make a small bead around the interior side of hole. I inserted the bolt on the supplied nylon washer (mine wasn't fiber) and then pushed it through hole in pan. I then used Permatex Thread Sealant on the threads of the bolt. On the outside I put on a 1/2 white nylon washer I bought and then put on the securing nut. Two 3/4 " sockets in my ratchets helped me tighten it down to the point I was afraid I was deforming the nylon washers. That Permatex Right Stuff sets up within 5 mins but just to be sure I let it sit for 30 mins. Then I installed new filter, placed original gasket back on pan, and started a couple bolts to hold it on. The air ratchet made the install go quick. I snugged them up with my 3/8 ratchet by feel since my torque wrench is 1/2 drive and didn't have suitable 10 mm socket for it. I replaced 5 1/4 quarts of fluid that I measured out from my collection pan then started her up. The first couple times I put it in gears I didn't feel anything but it did finally start to give sensation that transmission was engaging. I let it warm up a bit then gave a spin around the neighborhood. Drove normally to me. I came back and checked -no leaks from drain plug. I checked it again an hour later and still not a drop. There is a clean white cardboard piece under the transmission now and will check it in the morning.
02-18-2016, 10:03 PM
#360
An Update to a Total Fluid Change
I posted on 10/29/2013 on page 26 of this thread directions about how to completely change your transmission fluid at one time using your transmission as a pump. I do this about every 30,000 miles, and now have 150,000 miles on my F-150. I live in Phoenix and do about 40 miles of commute daily in heavy stop and go traffic on Highway 60. The tranny is still nice and tight. The changes are a breeze and I use Dex/Merc from the local Wal-Mart.