Transmission service

Tiny
AMOREIRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,300 MILES
My transmission skips at times, I was wondering if changing the fluid might help since it has never been done. If so how much fluid does it take
Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 1:49 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
It's possible that the filter and/or fluid is contaminated and needs replaced yes. It's a sealed unit though and requires special procedures for filling. There are no exact capacities for a service since it is filled using the procedure in the attachments below.I would start by pumping 3 quarts in to start, could use up to 6 depending on how long it drained
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Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
SMMASON1999
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
Transmission problem
2003 Ford Explorer V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

the dealership tells my brother that he must drop the tranny in order to replace the fluid is this true and if not how does he do it
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
DRAINING & REFILLING
NOTE:For appropriate transmissions, use the Automatic Transmission Flush and Fill Machine (211-00018) or the Automatic Transmission Flush and Fill Machine (199-00010) or equivalent.

Draining
With the vehicle in Park, position it on a hoist. Set the vehicle as close to level as possible.
Remove the drain plug (large plug) and allow the fluid to drain. See Fig. 9 .
Remove transmission fluid pan screws and fluid pan. Remove transmission fluid pan gasket, filter screws and filter. See Fig. 10 . Remove transmission fluid pan magnet.
Fig. 9: Removing/Installing Drain Pan, Gasket & Filter
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Fig. 10: Identifying Transmission Fluid Filter Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Refilling
To install fluid pan, gasket and filter, reverse removal procedures.
Hold the larger drain plug with a wrench and remove the small (center) fluid level indicating plug using a 3/16" Allen key. Install the Fluid Level & Fill Plug Adapter (307-437) into the pan. See Fig. 4 .


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/266999_fill_1.jpg


Prior to filling the Fluid Transporter/Evacuator/Injector (307-D465) with clean transmission fluid, make sure that the canister is clean. See Fig. 5 .


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/266999_fill2_1.jpg


Fill the special tool with clean automatic transmission fluid. Hang the fluid transporter/evacuator/injector under the vehicle, upright and close to the transmission.
Connect the open end of the fluid hose from the fluid transporter/evacuator/injector to the fluid level and fill plug adapter at the bottom of the transmission fluid pan. See Fig. 6 .
Apply a maximum of 30 psi (206.85 kPa) to the open end of the vacuum/pressure hose from the Rubber Tip Air Nozzle (100-D009). See Fig. 7 . Fluid will immediately start flowing out of the special tool into the transmission fluid pan.
Add 2 or 3 quarts of transmission fluid into the fluid pan. Stop the process by releasing the air pressure and removing the air nozzle from the end of the hose. Engine idle speed is approximately 650 RPM. Start and run the engine until the transmission fluid temperature is between 80-120 °F (27-49 °C).
Inspect the fluid level in the special tool. If the fluid drains back into the canister, the transmission is full. If no fluid drains back, more fluid will need to be added. Repeat steps 6 and 7 .
Once the transmission is full, place a hand vacuum pump on the open end of the vacuum/pressure hose of the Vacuum Pump Kit (416-D002) and apply vacuum to the system. See Fig. 8 . This will pull out any extra fluid trapped in the system and direct it into the container.
Allow the fluid to drain. When the fluid comes out as a thin stream or drip, the fluid is at the correct level. Reinstall the small (center) fluid level indicating plug using a 3/16" Allen key.
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RACERX156
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
I would like to servive the trans but there is no dipstick. How do I add fluid and know I have added the correct amount.
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FLEXY5
  • MECHANIC
  • 512 POSTS
First thing you need to do is make sure you are on level ground. Even the slight incline of a driveway will make a difference. If you look on the bottom of the pan you will see a drain plug with a torx bit plug inside it. The outer plug is a drain plug. You're gonna love this, the inner plug is the fill plug. They make a special tool to fill it with, but it can be done quart-by-quart. After you service the trans, add three quarts of fluid to the trans, then start it. Place the vehicle in neutral and add the rest of the fluid, one quart at a time. When the trans is overfull it will run out in a steady stream. When it stops running a steady stream, put the inner plug back in. Make sure you are using mercon V (5) fluid. If you add regular trans fluid, you just bought yourself a trans. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Dave
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISRIVETT
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,600 MILES
I have 2000 Ford explorer and I change the transmission fluid when my dad take it arkansas to see his brother and when got back why ford overheating and the tramsmission fluid dump out on the ground. It like if you pull something it dids dump the fluid out.
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,752 POSTS
Was the leak from one of the cooling lines at the radiator?
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISRIVETT
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It not leaking from cooler line. It dump out of the transmission over flow and it dose it when you pull a car, camper.
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,752 POSTS
It sounds like the transmission is overheating. ATF expands when it gets hot. Is there a trany cooler on the vehicle?
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISRIVETT
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It have a cooler on the car
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,752 POSTS
I would check the cooler to make sure nothing is slowing the flow of ATF. Something is causing it to overheat.
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Friday, November 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PALMARNIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
I know how to drain the old transmission fluid, but this vehicle has no transmission dip stick. How do you refill the transmission? Does the torque converter have a drain plug, if not, how do you empty it?
Last question, is there a special tranny fluid I have to put in it?
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 12:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Hello,

Here is a video that sown the job being done on a similar car the process is the same with how you fill the unit in the diagrams below

https://youtu.be/NUOBl4bqtss

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 12:50 PM (Merged)

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