04 with 260k miles...........how far should i push my luck ?

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1955moose

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Theirs many articles here and online referring to servicing 6 speed Ford transmission.


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lane87

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My exact experience as well. At 20,000 miles, car in warranty, it needed a transmission replacement due to improper parts install at the factory level. After the new transmission was installed, the tech (who was also a race car tranny guy) told me you will never have to change this fluid. Of course I was skeptical, but I must say 150k miles later, when I remove the dipstick on the transmission, the oil seems to be new. No dirt, metal, smells like it's still fresh.

So I haven't touched it yet, gonna do more study on it first before screwing up a good thing.


Very similar situation indeed. Please update here or PM when you have finished your research. I will do the same. I have the parts (recommended above) but I am holding off to have my "trusted" local mechanic get it up on the lift, drop the pan, have a look around at the magnets etc. and decide then. Chances are I will just have it done and pay the guy to do the messy work. For me, its worth it sometimes.
 

1955moose

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It's not that big a deal, but keep in mind if he's just dropping the pan, and cleaning it, your only swapping out 5-6 quarts of fluid. Theirs over 12 in the system. To replace fluid, he'll have to use a pump and tube. Read the past articles on our site, it explains it all.


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nwnerd

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Interesting discussion.

I have an '05 XLT 4x4 that I bought in '09 with ~35k miles. I now have about 105k on it, yeah she has a good life. :) I have never been told by any Ford tech that the transmission fluid was good for the life of the vehicle. What I have been told is that the transmission filter was designed to last for the life of the vehicle, that fluid changes can be done without the need for dropping the pan, & should be performed every 50k miles. 3 different Ford shops have told me this, almost verbatim, which makes me think that this is a policy that some shops are not following.

So....I find the lack of consistency in what different Ford shops recommend to be interesting (or rather, concerning).
 

ghall618

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Hey how did it go? I'm looking to have my '03 5.4 out of commish this fall so I'm gathering some info. I have a maintainable leak and also some tranny fluid that appears there but I never really have to add. Maybe a new torque converter or some type of trans service. I was looking at gaskets and I see there are rubber and teflon. What di you use and why?
Thanks, good luck
 

lane87

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I am in the same boat. The crank case leak is quite manageable. Less than a quart between oil changes so I am putting it off for a little longer. I am not sure about the crank case gasket as my mechanic is getting that for me. He also suggested adding a "crank saver" additional part incase there is some warpage. Both <$25. I did buy the tranny filter and solenoid kit mentioned earlier in this thread and will have that done at the same time as the crankcase repair work. Good luck.
 

Clemson82

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UPDATE to an older but relevant thread - We just hit 60k so I felt it was time to have the transmission serviced based on some advice received here. There is no way I'm waiting until the recommended 100k+.

We do tow from time to time and also have a lot of stop and go traffic (Atlanta), for what that's worth. In my opinion, the dealer prices are absurd and our local dealer is famous for their terrible service department, if you can even reach someone there at all.

I phoned a few places and when I called Goodyear, the guy immediately said, "we have to drop the pan to perform the service, and we can only remove about 80% of the fluid". They obviously do a lot of these because he was familiar with the vehicle, even noting that there wasn't a dipstick to check except the one underneath, near the pan itself.

Anyway, it was about $200 and they added / changed 10 quarts (per the receipt), and replaced the filter and gasket. The fluid they recommended was Valvoline Maxlife ATF full synthetic. If that's the price every 60k, I can deal with that.
 

jstone5241

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Great luck with mine. But stickler for maintenance. Get BG fluid changes every 50000 Miles. Coolant, transmission, brake lines, power steering. Do differential every 100000. All synthetic. Use only amsoil in engine change every 20-25000 Miles. Add a quart at 11000. Engine clean as a whistle inside. Get 90 to 114000 miles on Michelin tires. Keep inflated to 40 lbs.
 

prez1967

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Im glad I ran across this thread

I've serviced my tranny once since buying it (I think around 100K, i'm at 190K now). A buddy did it at his shop when he served my other fluids (diffs/transfer case).

I recently put a lift in my new garage and am considering tackling this and some other maintenance i've let pile up and hoping its something I can handle. Im comfortable with following write ups and service manuals, but i want to ensure that the truck has every chance of making it past 250K lol


I'm collecting parts as we speak and we'll see if I dive into it myself.
 

Adieu

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What's the lift for im this procedure?

I can get under the expy without elevating it at all, and I'm a fairly large specimen..... seems like even extremely burly guys would be good with ramps
 

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