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Transmission Service Recommendation
When we bought our used “06 31IB the transmission fluid was brown gunk.  Why, I never knew but I did know that our poor rig hadn’t had much care or love in her first 6 years.  At that time, 24,000 miles I had the transmission flushed and fluid replace.  Currently she has about 40,000 miles and we’ve towed a CRV for all those miles primarily in Southern California.

While the I’m not having any issues with the transmission, I am wondering if it is time to flush the system again.  I’m planning a trip up HWY 395 in April for a 2,500 mile trip. 

Any advice or recommendations would be truly appreciated.  This group has been my guide and my encyclopedia for the last 15 years.  Thanks so much. 

Jules
'O6 IB Anniversary Model
Sue, My Copilot
Carlie, our canine princess
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #1 –
I think it's fine to service a transmission at about 30,000 miles under normal usage.
If you feel it was abused before, then doing it again now couldn't hurt.
Jota
96 23.5 FL
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #2 –
I also go for ATF changes in the 30K range.

Do you know what type of ATF they used when it was serviced.  Many here use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF, which I figure is good for at least as long as the 30K owners manual recommendation.

You can also tell a bit by looking at the fluid on the dipstick.  As long as it's more red than brown, I'd keep rolling with it.
https://cartreatments.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/transmission-fluid-colors.png

Rich
'03 MB in NC


 
2003 MB
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #3 –
From Firestone Auto Care
Fresh transmission fluid tends to smell sweet or tart. When that smell turns burnt, your transmission fluid has broken down and the system is burning too hot, leading to an increase in friction and corrosive activity in the engine.

My Dad was a backyard mechanic and worked on all of our cars.   He would pull the transmission dipstick and smell it before adding or changing ATF.  I just thought it was the normal thing to do.  You may want to try it... it couldn't hurt.

- John
Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #4 –
Under 'normal' conditions and following Ford's maintenance schedules, the first transmission fluid change/flush should be done at 30k miles; your 2006 must really have been mistreated if the fluid was 'brown gunk' at 24k miles.  :(  As Rich indicated, the color and smell of the fluid is a good indication of its 'health'. 

I tend to do maintenance items and fluid changes before a schedule indicates, so if this were my rig, I towed, I was off on a road trip, and I wasn't sure which fluid had been used when the flush was done at 24k (and if there's any evidence of a 'burned' smell or browning of the fluid), I'd likely do another flush and fluid replacement using the Motorcraft ATF recommended in the manual. Overkill for many, I understand, but, as mentioned above, doing preventive maintenance seldom is regrettable.

As ever, YMMV.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #5 –
When Ford transmission guru John Wood rebuilt our LD's transmission, he filled it with Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid.
With the transmission having a three year/ unlimited mileage guarantee, he wanted to make sure the fluid was up to whatever it encountered.
At $18 a gallon, it's not overly expensive, about $100 worth for a full flush.
Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 Gallon -...
A full flush takes about 22 quarts.
John Wood also recommend installing the largest transmission cooler possible if you tow.
Larger transmission cooler E450 | Flickr

To add an extra a layer of protection, install an inline transmission filter in one of the external cooler lines . The filters have a paper element to filter debris and a magnet to attract ferrous metal fragments.
I have used them on both automatic transmission cooler and power steering return lines for a several decades.
3/8" Magnetic Inline Transmission Filter 515554 51-17 M010cb Raybestos for...

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #6 –
You might want to have the rear differential refreshed as well.   When I had the 30K service done on my 2013 31 IB, they said the transmission fluid looked good but the differential fluid looked 'burned'.  Most of that 30K was dragging my 2011 Honda CRV towd.   I resolved to service the differential on a 15K interval. Last time it cost me $266 which I consider an insurance premium.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
 
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #7 –
My Ford E-series owners manual says fluid change intervals for 5 speed is 60,000 miles. The 6 speed has 150,000 mile recommended fluid change intervals.
2017 Mid Bath
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #8 –
LarryW,
What is the blue gadget that you show in your photos?
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #9 –
I have stuck with the Ford manual's recommendations for fluids and Motorcraft 'parts' unless my own research and/or the counsel of knowledgeable, experienced mechanics and tech people whose mechanical savvy I trust suggest a better option. I don't tow, so the engine and all systems are less stressed than if I did, but I still want very high quality, well-engineered and carefully manufactured parts; 'good enough' is not. 'Premium' parts are usually more pricey than 'economy', and 'daily driver', but if the end results are better performance and longevity, I feel that it's worth it.  Stuff happens, but I really don't want to be at dead stop on the side of the road due to having cheaped out on some critical 'go' part!  ;)

As always, YMMV.









2003 TK has a new home
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #10 –
Quote from: parussky  - 
LarryW,
What is the blue gadget that you show in your photos?

It is an inline thermostat for the large transmission cooler
With an oil cooler twice the size of the stock cooler, the fluid can stay too cool for a long time in cold weather .
The inline thermostat allows the transmission fluid to warm into its optimum operating temperature range of 180-210 degrees.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #11 –
Quote from: rabbitdiesel1  - 
My Ford E-series owners manual says fluid change intervals for 5 speed is 60,000 miles. The 6 speed has 150,000 mile recommended fluid change intervals.

The four speed transmissions (1997-2004) have a 30,000 mile factory change interval that should be observed.
Longer change intervals is common for newer vehicles with some cars having sealed transissions and no recommended change interval.
Personally, in a RV that tows, I would have a very hard time never changing the trans fluid on the six-speed .
IMO, Fluid is cheap compared to the cost of a rebuild...$100 vs. up to $6000.

Ford recommends 50,000 mile rear axle change intervals, if you tow make sure to use the upgraded synthetic lube specified in the Owner's Manual, early changes cannot hurt.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #12 –
LarryW, 
Doesnt the tranny fluid go through the trans radiator first and then through the engine radiator second?  This is how I always plumbed a tranny cooler to an existing vehicle.  That way the fluid was warmed before going back to the transmission.
Re: Transmission Service Recommendation
Reply #13 –
Quote from: parussky  - 
Doesnt the tranny fluid go through the trans radiator first and then through the engine radiator second?  This is how I always plumbed a tranny cooler to an existing vehicle.  That way the fluid was warmed before going back to the transmission.

Factory plumbing for the transmission routes the fluid through the radiator's internal heat exchanger and then to the outboard cooler, located in front of the radiator.
This has been a topic of discussion for years in many forums. With the E450s, I defer to Ford's engineers, they know a lot more about the cooling systems than I.
Whatever way it is plumbed, a limited amount of heat can be dissipated, only so much cooling air can be pulled through the coolers.
My experiences plumbing the Jeep's coolers both ways was either the engine or transmission is going to run hotter. Take your pick.

If the external thermostat valve is used, the flow from the radiator to the cooler is bypassed when the fluid is cold, allowing the hot radiator to warm up the transmission fluid. Once the fluid is hot, the bypass valve opens, allowing the fluid to flow through the external cooler.
In normal usage, the transmission fluid temperature warms at a much slower rate than the engine coolant.
Same as the engine, the transmission operates most efficiently when in its normal operating range.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze