How much does Ford charge

[dtech]

I thought a flush was not recommended.

There are different flush scenarios, much of the don't flush negatives seems to be when a tranny with old degraded fluid is flushed and it circulates sediment and particles throughout the tranny, resulting in it's demise, then there are the stories of shops with either improperly maintained flush machines or improperly operated causing issues. IMO flush way more effective in removing more old fluid and reducing fluid waste. But did you hear that from Ford doesn't recommend flushing ?
There is also a scenario where a flush is a bottle of chemical added like an engine flush, you run it for a limited time then drain it out, I've used this to good effect on poorly maintained trannies.

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[Big Blue]

Yes, they tap into the oil cooler (Inlet & Return)
Start engine and machine hooked up, out with old - in with new 12 qts of fluid.

Small correction. Since on the ranger 10R80 the "cooler", really a heat exchanger, is bolted directly to the transmission, they would need to remove the "cooler" and install an adapter plate to tie in a flushing machine. There are no fluid lines external to the transmission, like the old days. There are actually coolant lines running to a "cooler" block bolted to the transmission. The intent is to heat the transmission up and keep it at or near engine coolant temperature during operation. Hence the requirement to have the temperature near 200 degrees Fahrenheit when checking fluid level.

 

[Big Blue]

I haven't looked under the ranger, but for some of these 10R80s (F150 for example), you have to drop a lot of stuff to get the pan off. They didn't make it easy. Perhaps that is part of the cost.

On the Ranger the heat exchanger is mounted in a different location from the F150 and no cross member to remove. It is wide open and accessible.

 

[Chuck Dragisic]

Just had mine done, at 50,000 miles, at Ford Fast Lane, here in Houston. It was strictly a machine flush. I asked specifically if they checked the dipstick after they were done. They said they do not, that the machine replaces what is removed. The price was $250.00. So, it seems to me, that if you start out low, you will end up low, but what do I know.

 

[ctechbob]

Can they really hook this tranny up to a "flushing machine" ? I'm under the impression that it's a drain and refill operation, but good to know if I'm mistaken.

And yes I think they socked it to you unless they really did get most/all of the old fluid out and replaced it with new.

Ford does have an approved method for doing a fluid exchange with a machine, listed in their shop manual.

I'd rather just drain and fill, but that's just me.

 

[ctechbob]

Just had mine done, at 50,000 miles, at Ford Fast Lane, here in Houston. It was strictly a machine flush. I asked specifically if they checked the dipstick after they were done. They said they do not, that the machine replaces what is removed. The price was $250.00. So, it seems to me, that if you start out low, you will end up low, but what do I know.

IMO it would be worth crawling up under there to verify, just as a peace of mind thing.

 

[dtech]

Just had mine done, at 50,000 miles, at Ford Fast Lane, here in Houston. It was strictly a machine flush. I asked specifically if they checked the dipstick after they were done. They said they do not, that the machine replaces what is removed. The price was $250.00. So, it seems to me, that if you start out low, you will end up low, but what do I know.

Well I'll tell you what I do know now courtesy of your post, that being if I can get a similar price at the local dealer that's where it's going at 50k.

 

[Big Blue]

Ford does have an approved method for doing a fluid exchange with a machine, listed in their shop manual.

I'd rather just drain and fill, but that's just me.

Would really like to see a copy of that approved method, before I'd let them do it to mine.

 

[airline tech]

Would really like to see a copy of that approved method, before I'd let them do it to mine.

Unfortunately, the procedure is vague.


Transmission Fluid Exchange
Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Fluid Exchanger

Connect
NOTICE: Use transmission fluid specific for this transmission. Do not use any supplemental transmission fluid additives or cleaning agents. The use of these products can cause internal transmission components to fail, which will affect the operation of the transmission.
NOTE: This procedure does not apply to vehicles with fluid coolers that have solid steel cooler lines or plug-in-design fluid coolers.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
   Refer to: Jacking and Lifting (100-02) .
2. Connect the Fluid Exchanger to the transmission fluid cooler tube after the transmission fluid cooler on the return tube. This helps remove any foreign material trapped in the transmission fluid coolers.
   Use the General Equipment: Fluid Exchanger
3. Perform the transmission fluid exchange using the Fluid Exchanger.
   • Follow the manufacturer's instructions included with the machine.
     Refer to: Specifications - LHD 4WD (307-01) .
     Use the General Equipment: Fluid Exchanger
4. Once the transmission fluid exchange is completed, disconnect the Fluid Exchanger. Reconnect any disconnected transmission fluid cooler tubes.
   Use the General Equipment: Fluid Exchanger
5. Check the transmission fluid level.
   Refer to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01 Automatic Transmission - 10-Speed Automatic Transmission – 10R80, General Procedures).

© Copyright 2024, Ford Motor Company.


OIl Cooler Ref:

Pictured are the Engine Coolant Lines, so they would have to remove the Oil Cooler and tap into the lines going into the transmission.

Note: Just upstream of this is the control valve to supply engine coolant to the oil cooler.

Then I think they flush the Oil Cooler Itself, before reinstalling. (?)

 

[MountainGoat]

Just buy the fluid exchanger on Amazon and then return it when you're done with the flush. Maybe they'll even throw you a "returning the item is not required"??

https://www.amazon.com/Robinair-92500-Transmission-Fluid-Exchanger/dp/B000H6L8JE

 

[Bobby-C]

I just had my transmission fluid and filter replaced on my 2020 XLT ranger. They charged me just under $1000. The truck has 67500 miles with no transmission problems at all. Most of the miles are highway and I do tow a trailer often. This being my first transmission fluid flush, I wanted the filter changed also. They didn't want to do the filter only the fluid. The quote on the phone was $350(for just the fluid change) when I dropped it off I told them I really wanted the filter also done. I received a call a hour later saying it was going from $350 to $700+ because when they change the filter the fluid loss needed to be replaced before being hooked up to their fluid flushing machine. So basically when changing the filter the 6 qts of transmission fluid had to be replaced with new fluid just to pump it back out when being flushed. The filter was $94 the gasket was almost $50 and almost twice the fluid needed. I think I was robbed.

Labor at my dealer charges $ 169 an hour, so you have to factor that in. I don't know how many hours that job entails but seems like a big job.

 

[The Last Ranger]

For that kind of money ,I think I will replace the pan with one of the 2 after market ones so the fluid can be drained easily. Also I will siphon as much fluid as I can to make the pan replacement easier.
The good news for me is at 6k miles on my 21 Ranger this won't be happening for a while.

The easiest thing to do first is get the Fitzstick from Mike and then you can siphon the fluid more often without dropping the pan. Changing the fluid more often keeps it cleaner and you don't have to be mechanically inclined with this option!!!

 

[Big Blue]

Unfortunately, the procedure is vague.


Transmission Fluid Exchange
Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Fluid Exchanger

Connect
NOTICE: Use transmission fluid specific for this transmission. Do not use any supplemental transmission fluid additives or cleaning agents. The use of these products can cause internal transmission components to fail, which will affect the operation of the transmission.
NOTE: This procedure does not apply to vehicles with fluid coolers that have solid steel cooler lines or plug-in-design fluid coolers.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
   Refer to: Jacking and Lifting (100-02) .
2. Connect the Fluid Exchanger to the transmission fluid cooler tube after the transmission fluid cooler on the return tube. This helps remove any foreign material trapped in the transmission fluid coolers.
   Use the General Equipment: Fluid Exchanger
3. Perform the transmission fluid exchange using the Fluid Exchanger.
   • Follow the manufacturer's instructions included with the machine.
     Refer to: Specifications - LHD 4WD (307-01) .
     Use the General Equipment: Fluid Exchanger
4. Once the transmission fluid exchange is completed, disconnect the Fluid Exchanger. Reconnect any disconnected transmission fluid cooler tubes.
   Use the General Equipment: Fluid Exchanger
5. Check the transmission fluid level.
   Refer to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01 Automatic Transmission - 10-Speed Automatic Transmission – 10R80, General Procedures).

© Copyright 2024, Ford Motor Company.


OIl Cooler Ref:

Pictured are the Engine Coolant Lines, so they would have to remove the Oil Cooler and tap into the lines going into the transmission.

Note: Just upstream of this is the control valve to supply engine coolant to the oil cooler.

Then I think they flush the Oil Cooler Itself, before reinstalling. (?)

Vague doesn't even begin to describe that procedure. The note at the beginning seems to indicate thay this proceedure doesn't even apply to our trucks. We have a "plugin" cooler. They tell you to refer to the instruction that came with the machine? WTF

The only thing you showed that even applies to our truck is the picture of the cooler. The yellow lines are engine coolant lines. The oil connection to the transmission are behind the cooler with a couple of fixed tubes and o-rings. So, this would need to be removed to hook up any kind of lines to the transmission. Including opening up you coolant system.

I wonder how they flushed the OPs transmission? I hope he does not have any issues from it. Pressure flushing any transmission with the miles he has can get contaminants pushed into places they shouldn't be. The 10R80 seems to be more sensitive than most.

 

[dtech]

For $250 I'd have to assume that the coolant tank as shown in the pic might be unbolted and moved aside giving access to the ATF connection , but the concern I would have about the pressure flush is that if the filter is doing it's job it collects particles and for $250 that couldn't involve changing the filter and the flush may well circulate stuff the filter collected - but back to the OP post - they did change his filter hence the higher cost paid, in the end maybe have been a better way to go.

 

[rozebud]

can I ask a dumb question? is there a drain plug on the transmission pan or do you have to drop the pan for an oil change? if the pan has to be removed then why not change the filter and refill with oil?

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