Our local Ford dealer says that the best way to change ATF is by the suction method as this removes all of the old fluid without changing the trans filter! Other reports state that you should remove the pan and replace the trans filter and change fluid the old fashion way. What do you think?
Changing ATF?
- Thread starter yankees1
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The trans filter should probably be changed no matter how the fluid is changed.
Do a search. I believe the consensus is to service the trans filter (adjust bands, if so equipped), and change out ATF using T-Tec machine wherein only the vehicle trans pump is moving the fluid (versus the usual, powered, flush).
Your Ford dealer is crazy! His approach is asking for major trouble. By all means, drop and clean the pan, change the filter, and fill with a quality ATF. It's best to change the fluid in the torque converter, as well. The methodology is widely available on the Internet. If you drop the pan, you will be amazed at all of the crud you will find. Not replacing the filter is the cause for many transmissions failing that try non-standard approaches.
This sounds about right coming from the ford dealer. My dad had to get his TC replaced at about 30k on his Town Car and went ahead and asked for the fluid and filter change as well. He double checked with the monkey up front that they weren't going to just do a suck job and he said sure, filter change too.
When he brought it back there was nary a hint of fluid anywhere near the trans pan so I became suspicious. I dropped it and sure enough, original filter. The pan magnet was useless as it had five years worth of metal shavings completely covering it and the pan itself was almost black with scorched fluid. I did the filter change and went back to the dealer. He said, oh yeah, well it had low miles so we recommend not changing the filter, just doing a flush.
When I showed him the owner's manual that calls for a fluid and filter change every 30k he kind of passed it off as "Well, it's not under warranty so..."
Then I showed him the paper where he charged my father 130.00 for a filter change and he turned white. I threatened legal action and I got the cash back, plus a new battery in exchange for the aftermarket filter I had to buy.
Bottom line is, my Ford dealer's a crook. Don't trust yours unless you want to.
When he brought it back there was nary a hint of fluid anywhere near the trans pan so I became suspicious. I dropped it and sure enough, original filter. The pan magnet was useless as it had five years worth of metal shavings completely covering it and the pan itself was almost black with scorched fluid. I did the filter change and went back to the dealer. He said, oh yeah, well it had low miles so we recommend not changing the filter, just doing a flush.
When I showed him the owner's manual that calls for a fluid and filter change every 30k he kind of passed it off as "Well, it's not under warranty so..."
Then I showed him the paper where he charged my father 130.00 for a filter change and he turned white. I threatened legal action and I got the cash back, plus a new battery in exchange for the aftermarket filter I had to buy.
Bottom line is, my Ford dealer's a crook. Don't trust yours unless you want to.
Bottom line is, my Ford dealer's a crook. You said it very well I will be sending my son over to NAPA and the mechanic I trust and is charging only $130.00 for a complete replacement of fluid new filter & clean the pan. Even with the Amsoil fluid and the ARX the complete job will cost about $220. If I put he filter & dropped the pan and added the fluid it would be really cheap. But he wants it done fast and they will have it done so at least he won't get ripped off.
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