For those who get a tranny flush I would recommend installing a scanguage before you get it done so you can monitor the tranny temps before and after. My tranny temp after the flush was high 180 to 205 degrees within 20 mins of normal driving. Before the flush it was 150 to 170 degrees. I had my flush done at a Ford dealer. After Ford installed a new tranny and tranny cooler my temps now are 130 to 160 degrees.

 

My 2001 Supercrew has a drain plug on the torque converter (4R70W, 4x4). A co-worker here at work has the same truck, 2002 Supercrew( 4R70W, 4x4), adn it doesn't have one. Mine was built in 06/2000, where as his was built in early 2002.

In my case, I was able to clean the transmission pan magnet (metal, couldn't be good for it), put in a NEW filter (not just flush it out, curious how they do this anyway) and put in most BRAND NEW fluid in the truck. Cost, under 65 bucks. Just about as good as your flush, with about an hour and half worth of work. I paid myself to do the job compared to what ya'll pay to have the fluid flushed (money left for a six pack). I recycle the fluid here at work when I am done. I change mine every 30K, trans has 131K on it now and shifts flawlessly, first fluid change was done a 90K by the original owner, just a flush job.

 

Okay, so I finally did it. I had my '06 transmission flushed at my dealer. Wasn't cheap either ($169.99 + tax and disposal fee). Truck had service completed at 30,800 miles.

So far, it seems to shift smoother, not a great deal but better. Doesn't even have 100 miles on since the service was completed last Friday (6/4/10), so no long term results. But I'll post back with my experience.

 

I just go by what the Ford maintenance schedule says--change fluid. Seems to make sense to me, but to each his own.

 

So, at 30k, we are recommending a flush with a Winn's Machine instead of a drain. Should we also recommend that they drop the pan and replace the filter and clean the magnets? Has anyone had a technician do this on one service? What did it cost you?

Also, do all of our trucks come with a tranny fluid cooler?

And lastly, will propping the truck up on ramps or jack stands in the front help drain the fluid from the Torque converter and cooler lines down to the pan?

 

My Ford dealer did drop the pan and replace the filter during the flush proccess. I caught a deal they were offering of $89.00!!!

As to tilting the truck, no, you won't get the torque converter to drain into the pan. There's way to many channels for it to travel it's way back to get into the pan. The lower belly of the torque converter is right at the same height as the pan itself.

 

Would it be a bad idea to do a trans flush at 85xxx miles on my truck not knowing what the service history was like? I am starting to have some transmission issues and would like to know what would be best. Btw its an 06 with the auto transmission.

 

I am looking at purchasing a transmission cooler, what brand should I get and where should I get it from? What kind of install am I looking at and are transmissions temps so sensative, that I should also install a guage to keep track of it? My truck has 95,000 and I've only had the fluid changed once, brutle I know. With that in mind, is this install even worth doing? And to change the fluid myself, is it as easy as draining from the trans pan and under the radiator? Will that get most of the fluid out so I know how much to add or is that something I need to keep checking the levels on to add the correct amount? Many questions, but I'm sure there is a simple answer. Thanks

 

The number one cause of an automatic transmission failure is heat. Installing a transmission cooler drops the temps, and lengthens the life of the oil and transmission. In your case since you have only changed the transmission oil once in 90K, I'd recommend the cooler.

Just dropping the transmission pan only removes about 5 or 6 quarts; there is another 5 or 6 in the torque converter, valve body, and radiator (built in mini cooler). The only way to get ALL the fluid out is with a proper flush. Something the "do it yourselfer" cannot do unless you remove the torque converter and drain it (they do not have drain plugs in the '04 to '08 models). In my opinion, draining 5 quarts and adding 5 fresh quarts to 5 or 6 dirty quarts is a waste of money and effort. It would be like draining half of your engine oil and adding in 3 or 4 quarts to 3 or 4 dirty quarts of engine oil. Why bother?

I'd add the cooler (if you do not already have one; the factory tow package included an external transmission cooler) and get the fluid flushed. I added one to my STX about two years ago, right after having the transmission flushed. My temps in the transmission run at 165 to 178 here in the 105 degree Texas summers.

 

local mechanic shop did mine at 35000 miles and sucked the fluid through the dipstick tube and put mercon v in it and it cost $135 and i've had no problems.