Transmission service issue.

[SchoolZoneSpeeder]

I have my Ranger at a Ford dealer, and I wanted to have them do the transmission fluid exchange, but they say they can't because the transmission cooler is mounted in the trans and doesn't have lines on it to do the fluid exchange. How are services performed on this transmission? I know you can drop the pan and get that fluid out and then refill, but that will leave all the old fluid in the torque converter. Is there a way to properly service it and get all of the old fluid out?

Thanks

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[Big Blue]

I have my Ranger at a Ford dealer, and I wanted to have them do the transmission fluid exchange, but they say they can't because the transmission cooler is mounted in the trans and doesn't have lines on it to do the fluid exchange. How are services performed on this transmission? I know you can drop the pan and get that fluid out and then refill, but that will leave all the old fluid in the torque converter. Is there a way to properly service it and get all of the old fluid out?

Thanks

Find a different Ford dealer. One who is properly trained on how to service the Ranger.

The cooler is temporarily removed from the transmission and an adapter plate is installed to connect the flush machine. The cooler is then flushed and reinstalled. The coolant lines are not opened.

 

[SchoolZoneSpeeder]

Find a different Ford dealer. One who is properly trained on how to service the Ranger.

The cooler is temporarily removed from the transmission and an adapter plate is installed to connect the flush machine. The cooler is then flushed and reinstalled. The coolant lines are not opened.

Thank you! Looks like they need to get this:

 

[Big Blue]

Thank you! Looks like they need to get this:

That would be it. It's a shame they don't train their techs about these things.

 

[ctechbob]

There's really 3 options.

Using the fluid exchange machine. - Perfectly acceptable although I'm not super keen on breaking factory connections to hook up the machine. Not DIY Friendly and replaces most all of the fluid.

Drop the pan and refill - Might as well swap the filter at this point since you're already there. More expensive and a bit of a pain, although not terrible if you're on a lift. More DIY friendly, cons are it can be a bit of a messy pain in the rear and unless you have a high mileage truck there's really not a need to replace the filter.

Suck out 5-7 quarts and refill. This is the most DIY friendly option. Simply replace what you suck out with new fluid (and Lubegard if you're so inclined). This works best if you commit to a shorter change schedule. Yes it leaves some old fluid behind, but if you're doing it on a regular schedule this isn't a huge concern.

 

[SchoolZoneSpeeder]

That would be it. It's a shame they don't train their techs about these things.

Agreed. Its the largest dealer in the area, too. The tech literally told me that Ford doesn't recommend transmission service until 150k miles.

 

[jltrent]

I used one of these. Crawled under the truck and put it in the oil dipstick gauge hole. I sucked out 5 quarts and then pumped 5 new quarts back in. I marked the dipstick with a notch and refilled to the exact same level. The truck has 40k on it. The next change I will put a new metal oil pan on change the filter and then refill.

The oil was brown color not like the new red color I put back. IMO it needed changing.

12V 60W Oil Change Pump Extractor, Oil/Diesel Fluid Pump Transfer Suction Pump | eBay

 

[21rangerCactus]

I bought the MBS dipstick and a fluid extractor from harbor freight. Takes me 15mins to suck the fluid out and add back the same amount.

 

[woodworker]

There's really 3 options.

Using the fluid exchange machine. - Perfectly acceptable although I'm not super keen on breaking factory connections to hook up the machine. Not DIY Friendly and replaces most all of the fluid.

Drop the pan and refill - Might as well swap the filter at this point since you're already there. More expensive and a bit of a pain, although not terrible if you're on a lift. More DIY friendly, cons are it can be a bit of a messy pain in the rear and unless you have a high mileage truck there's really not a need to replace the filter.

Suck out 5-7 quarts and refill. This is the most DIY friendly option. Simply replace what you suck out with new fluid (and Lubegard if you're so inclined). This works best if you commit to a shorter change schedule. Yes it leaves some old fluid behind, but if you're doing it on a regular schedule this isn't a huge concern.

My 2021 has 148,000 now. I had the dealer do transmission flush at 90k. From everything I read, it is not recommended to flush high mileage transmissions so I plan to have them do what you said, drain and fill at 150k and leave it alone. Of course they want to do flush because it takes longer and they make more. I too am not in favor of breaking factory fittings. My Ranger has run absolutely flawless to this point and I want to keep it that way.

 

[woodworker]

I bought the MBS dipstick and a fluid extractor from harbor freight. Takes me 15mins to suck the fluid out and add back the same amount.

How hard was that kit to install?

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

How hard was that kit to install?

Lots of good reading in this thread...

MBS Extended Automatic Transmission Dipsticks now available

 

[Rrrr-Anger19]

removing the factory dip cover was the hardest part for me. Every following step was down hill from there. Excellent product!

 

[PapaBill]

I used one of these. Crawled under the truck and put it in the oil dipstick gauge hole. I sucked out 5 quarts and then pumped 5 new quarts back in. I marked the dipstick with a notch and refilled to the exact same level. The truck has 40k on it. The next change I will put a new metal oil pan on change the filter and then refill.

The oil was brown color not like the new red color I put back. IMO it needed changing.

12V 60W Oil Change Pump Extractor, Oil/Diesel Fluid Pump Transfer Suction Pump | eBay

 

[PapaBill]

I did the exact same thing except, I took a little electromagnetic solenoid fuel pump like this one attached for ~$15.00, and a couple of pieces of 5/16" PVC clear flexible tubing like at Ace Hardware of Home Depot. Then, At 31Kmi, sucked the fluid out, did the measuring like jltrent did. Dropped the pan, cleaned it out, put new ULV tranny fluid back in(same volume), Ran well, no problems.
It will be changed again in another 30K mi.
Thishas been done on all my vehicles over 20 years.
EZ PEAZY.
We used this same swap method in the chemical industry on rotating equipment as part of preventive and predictive Maintenance.

• Filtered the oil, and used a microscope looking for contaminants such as grit, metal "filings" on the filter, as well as checked for water, color, comparison flow characteristics.
• A little more oil expense, no breakdowns due to poor lube.

 

[bmidd]

How hard was that kit to install?

Super easy, ordered it online along with a case of fluid, a new filter and gasket. Dropped it off at my buddy's shop and picked it up later that day. Easy-peasy.

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