Transmission Filter and Fluid Change

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MrSkunks

MrSkunks

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Go to O'Reilly's with your VIN and have them give you the filter according to the VIN. If you go to other auto parts stores with just the standard make/model/year information they may offer you several different filters. I experienced that first-hand.

It's a messy job as @B E N indicated. I used three drain pans and still made a mess. It takes way, WAY more replacement fluid than 4 quarts. Whoever told you that has never done it. As to the shop who told you that the trans has a lifetime filter, he lied to you. They just don't want to get their hands burned.

There is a real technique to it, too. First off, you need a glove that you don't mind sacrificing. The "dipstick" if you can call it that is so close to the exhaust system that you will absolutely suffer third degree burns if you don't wear a glove, and you will get burned anyway - just not as severely - if you do wear a glove. The last time I was down there I used a glove with five layers of duct tape wrapped around the knuckles and I still got burned.

There is a cold fluid level test and a hot fluid level test. Both require you to be under the truck while it's running. You fill the transmission with a certain amount of fluid, start it, run it through the gears, and then with it running you check the fluid - the cold test. Then you add more fluid and drive it until the transmission comes to full operating temperature and check it again - the hot test. If you don't get burned doing the cold test you will get burned doing the hot test.

At the mileage you posted your truck's transmission is way overdue for service. I did mine at 45,000 miles and I was very glad that I did. The fluid smelled burned and was quite dark, and there was particulate matter coating the inside of the pan and the outside of the filter.


Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a bit more work than I'm up for. The trucks transmission was serviced under warranty at around 60,000 miles. It looks like the pan was also replaced, so at a minimum, there was some oil that came out, probably a filter change too.

Now the trick becomes finding a shop that can do it. So I guess the $300 quotes sound fair for the amount of labor and parts that go into this? Also with the dip stick being under the truck, how do I make sure they actually preform it? Clearly the dealer doesn't want to do it.
 

letsgetthisdone

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Theres no need to change the filter. Modern transmissions have huge filters with a lot of surface are, they don't* clog. Hook it up to a trans service machine, and change the fluid. Thats all it needs.
 
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MrSkunks

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Theres no need to change the filter. Modern transmissions have huge filters with a lot of surface are, they clog. Hook it up to a trans service machine, and change the fluid. Thats all it needs.

So doing the reverse flush at the dealer would be best?
 

Ruger

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Theres no need to change the filter. Modern transmissions have huge filters with a lot of surface are, they clog. Hook it up to a trans service machine, and change the fluid. Thats all it needs.

First I've heard this. If the source of this sage advice is the manufacturer, then it's highly suspect.

@letsgetthisdone , I have the aFe pan, too.
 
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letsgetthisdone

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Thats what I would do. They hook a machine up to the coolers lines, and replace what comes out with new fluid. Ensures that you get 100% fresh fluid. IIRC its around $200-$250 and you'll get OEM fluid and most dealers will add a BG additive pack.

On my truck, I have the AFE pan that adds like 7.5qts capacity, so I just drain/fill it every 25k miles or. Takes like 11qts of fluid.

Theres no need to change the filter. Modern transmissions have huge filters with a lot of surface are, they don't* clog. Hook it up to a trans service machine, and change the fluid. Thats all it needs.

edited* lol
 

Ruger

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Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a bit more work than I'm up for. The trucks transmission was serviced under warranty at around 60,000 miles. It looks like the pan was also replaced, so at a minimum, there was some oil that came out, probably a filter change too.

Now the trick becomes finding a shop that can do it. So I guess the $300 quotes sound fair for the amount of labor and parts that go into this? Also with the dip stick being under the truck, how do I make sure they actually preform it? Clearly the dealer doesn't want to do it.

If you want to double check the shop's work you will have to get under the truck with it running and fully up to temperature and burn your hand. If you are willing to do that, you might as well do the job yourself.

There is an alternative: Install the B&M remote dipstick. https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/modifying-transmission-dip-stick.56043/
You will burn your hand doing it, but it'll be the last time. You have to decide what kind of Raptor owner you are.
 

letsgetthisdone

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The difference is the size of a transmission filter vs engine oil filter. And that automatic transmissions make less junk for the filter to filter out compared to an engine. Also, transmission filters don't have as low of a micron rating as engine oil filters, so they're catching less of the junk that is created because the transmission isn't as sensitive to small bits due to not have hydraulic wedge bearings (mains and rods) to lubricate.
 
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