Trans Flush

[SFB]

My 2021 Ranger now has 20,500 miles on it. No noticeable problems with the transmission, but want to stay off any so planned to have fluid changed at 20,000.
So which are you all having done, a Flush or just Fluid Change? Also, what is the name of that stuff you all recommend adding .... Lubragard or something sounded like that?

I understand that just a "Fluid Change" doesn't drain all the existing fluid.
It's time for me to make my appointment to take it in for its 5,000 mile oil change & 20,000 miles servicing so want to get it done at the same time.

2019 Ranger 2WD. Tranny was acting kinda wonky at times, wasn't consistent like a part failure. Asked my rep at my Ford dealer and he said a flush, truck had a hair over 50K. Flush was between 3 and 4 hundred bucks, fluid and filter change at the dealer is around 900 because of changing the pan, old one is not reused because of it being plastic. Flush greatly improved issues. I believe most of my issues have been software related, shifting and performance can change from one cycle to another, cycle being a start and shut off.
Have you watched the Flying Wrenches channel? They are a primarily Ford shop in Alabama and ex Ford service techs. They recently had a video on rebuilding a 10R80 and they said they rarely see clutch failure in these Tranny's. Fun channel to watch.
FYI flushing isn't always a safe thing to do, you can ruin a tranny with a flush if it has high miles on it, however if done around 30K you should be safe, mine was at 50K and I was nervous about doing it but truck was still under drive train warranty and figured if Ford screws it up its still under warranty. It helped it though.

Sponsored

 

[SFB]

The dealer probably quoted you a price for a generic transmission flush using LV fluid. The ULV required is more expensive. And the dealer will charge you their cost for the fluid, not the Rockauto price. And, if you want them to drop the pan and change the filter, which they will tell you is good for 150K. That will cost you more yet.

My dealer recommended the filter, fluid and pan between 90 and 100K, had mine flushed at 50K at the same dealer per their recommendation.

 

[dozxab]

I will have to research to see what it looks like. So it is something I can install under the hood my self? Thanks for being patient with all my questions.

https://mikesbuildshop.com/products/2019-2023-ford-ranger-extended-automatic-transmission-dipstick

 

[harringtondav]

My dealer's ball park estimate of $180 for a flush grew to $800 once they put it in writing.
For less cost I purchased and installed a Fitzstick and a PPE aluminum trans oil pan, Mercon ULV fluid and a new filter.
You have to drop the OEM plastic pan to drain the fluid and change the filter, so my labor installing the PPE pan was a wash. The PPE pan has a drain plug. With this and the Fitzstick, future transmission fluid changes will be as simple as with any other vehicle.
I have a Pentair electric oil extractor for my boat engine, so pulling most of the fluid before dropping the pan was simple and less mess. Others on the forum mentioned letting the transmission drain into the catch pan for an extra day to get more fluid out. I did this and removed eight of the 12 qts. I included the 12 oz of LubeGard Platinum with the refill.
The worst part of the whole job was removing the dust cap on the teeny factory dipstick for Fitzstick installation. Mine was virgin, six years old and stuck. Have the dealer do the oil change and check the trans fluid at the same time. This way the hard work removing the cap will be done.
I'm not worried about the 25% residual old fluid with 20K mile fluid changes. I don't plan on changing the filter for another 60K miles, so pan removal won't be a big deal.

 

[Dgc333]

FYI: Just had a flush on one of my cars at 84K miles. Labor $359, 20 quarts of trans fluid $425... I looked and getting the correct fluid the best I could do was $23 per quart.

So a proper flush is pricy.

Its not hard to find the Motorcraft Mircon ULV fluid for about $12/qt or a 12qt kit for less than $10/qt.

I purchased a couple of qts at O'Reily's for $11.99 each a while back.

 

[Socalnative]

My 2021 Ranger now has 20,500 miles on it. No noticeable problems with the transmission, but want to stay off any so planned to have fluid changed at 20,000.
So which are you all having done, a Flush or just Fluid Change? Also, what is the name of that stuff you all recommend adding .... Lubragard or something sounded like that?

I understand that just a "Fluid Change" doesn't drain all the existing fluid.
It's time for me to make my appointment to take it in for its 5,000 mile oil change & 20,000 miles servicing so want to get it done at the same time.

I now have 197k miles on my 2019 Ford Ranger original transmission and have only done a transmission change never a flush. I did my first transmission service at 105k miles and every 25k miles after that and zero issues. Filter and fluid change

 

[got3fords]

I now have 197k miles on my 2019 Ford Ranger original transmission and have only done a transmission change never a flush. I did my first transmission service at 105k miles and every 25k miles after that and zero issues. Filter and fluid change

Wait, you're on your original transmission, yet you have only done a transmission change?

 

[Socalnative]

Wait, you're on your original transmission, yet you have only done a transmission change?

Wait, you're on your original transmission, yet you have only done a transmission change?

Yes. Original transmission and fluid changes only and never done it at the dealer. My family transmission guy never recommended flushes (I’m sure someone will chime in that newer transmissions can handle it) but I followed that advice and here we are at 197,984 miles and I don’t baby my truck either. I have 35”s, full king setup, deaver leaf springs, HP tuner and a bunch of other fun stuff so get out there and enjoy your Ranger!

 

[Grumpaw]

Its not hard to find the Motorcraft Mircon ULV fluid for about $12/qt or a 12qt kit for less than $10/qt.

I purchased a couple of qts at O'Reily's for $11.99 each a while back.

Rockauto....$5.22 a quart. Even adding in shipping, probably less than $6-$6.25 per quart.
For me, $10 bucks shipping for 12 quarts, so cost per quart is around $6.00 which is even cheaper than Valvoline ULV when on sale at NAPA.
I keep enough around now so that every 5-6000 miles I get my 12 volt pump out, suck out 6 quarts or so via my Fitzstick, fill with fresh. No biggie, and almost as cheap as doing a 6 quart oil change....

 

[got3fords]

Yes. Original transmission and fluid changes only and never done it at the dealer. My family transmission guy never recommended flushes (I’m sure someone will chime in that newer transmissions can handle it) but I followed that advice and here we are at 197,984 miles and I don’t baby my truck either. I have 35”s, full king setup, deaver leaf springs, HP tuner and a bunch of other fun stuff so get out there and enjoy your Ranger!

Oh, fluid change. You made it sound like you changed your transmission.

 

[RAYJAY]

My 2021 Ranger now has 20,500 miles on it. No noticeable problems with the transmission, but want to stay off any so planned to have fluid changed at 20,000.
So which are you all having done, a Flush or just Fluid Change? Also, what is the name of that stuff you all recommend adding .... Lubragard or something sounded like that?

I understand that just a "Fluid Change" doesn't drain all the existing fluid.
It's time for me to make my appointment to take it in for its 5,000 mile oil change & 20,000 miles servicing so want to get it done at the same time.

don't do a flush only pan drop and filter the flush will screw up the solenoids in the trans, the filter in the 10 speeds have a magnet in side of the filter you want to get all of that dirt out of the trans flushing only stirs up that dirt and will block up the solenoids .... do a search on here many post about changing the fluid and filter on your own .. adding a trans pan with a drain plug is a must on this trans

 

[got3fords]

don't do a flush only pan drop and filter the flush will screw up the solenoids in the trans, the filter in the 10 speeds have a magnet in side of the filter you want to get all of that dirt out of the trans flushing only stirs up that dirt and will block up the solenoids .... do a search on here many post about changing the fluid and filter on your own .. adding a trans pan with a drain plug is a must on this trans

It screwed up my solenoids so bad it runs great. Some misinformation here.

 

[RAYJAY]

It screwed up my solenoids so bad it runs great. Some misinformation here.

did they do a actual flush or just suck the oil fluid out and replace

 

[got3fords]

did they do a actual flush or just suck the oil fluid out and replace

They used the BG flush machine.

 

[REDWM]

My dealer's ball park estimate of $180 for a flush grew to $800 once they put it in writing.
For less cost I purchased and installed a Fitzstick and a PPE aluminum trans oil pan, Mercon ULV fluid and a new filter.
You have to drop the OEM plastic pan to drain the fluid and change the filter, so my labor installing the PPE pan was a wash. The PPE pan has a drain plug. With this and the Fitzstick, future transmission fluid changes will be as simple as with any other vehicle.
I have a Pentair electric oil extractor for my boat engine, so pulling most of the fluid before dropping the pan was simple and less mess. Others on the forum mentioned letting the transmission drain into the catch pan for an extra day to get more fluid out. I did this and removed eight of the 12 qts. I included the 12 oz of LubeGard Platinum with the refill.
The worst part of the whole job was removing the dust cap on the teeny factory dipstick for Fitzstick installation. Mine was virgin, six years old and stuck. Have the dealer do the oil change and check the trans fluid at the same time. This way the hard work removing the cap will be done.
I'm not worried about the 25% residual old fluid with 20K mile fluid changes. I don't plan on changing the filter for another 60K miles, so pan removal won't be a big deal.

I checked with my 's service manager dealer if installing a Fitz Stick would void the warranty and he said it would. Since I have an extended warranty, I decide not to install a Fitz Stick since I have 35950 miles on my 2019 Ranger and the transmission is still running fine.

Sponsored