Anyone planning on doing 25k or 30k mile fluid flush?

[Alfa 2407]

How do you change it yourself if you don’t change it out?

I'm wondering the same, though it likely requires special tools, I will do some digging into it, I have several connections in the auto repair business, so I will ask around

Edit, what I have been told is that all that is required is lots of socket extensions and a long neck funnel, the fill point is under the air filter box on the 1.5, unsure about the 2.0

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[Black Rob]

I'm wondering the same, though it likely requires special tools, I will do some digging into it, I have several connections in the auto repair business, so I will ask around

Edit, what I have been told is that all that is required is lots of socket extensions and a long neck funnel, the fill point is under the air filter box on the 1.5, unsure about the 2.0

How do you determine if it’s full or not? No dipstick, right?

 

[Devil6]

What is Ford's process for changing the transmission fluid on the BS?

On the Hondas I drove and looked into, it was a simple drain and fill. You took off the fill plug, took off the drain plug, plugged it back up, then put in about 3 quarts usually. I believe you were supposed to do this every so many miles, maybe 20k. I didn't look into it too much since I had a manual transmission.

Is Ford's this simple?

Probably not. It probably has a plastic transmission pan without a drain. If it is plastic whole pan comes off and each time you do this you buy a new plastic pan and gasket (if you are pulling the pan you better have a replacement in case the original gets damaged) and then install them. If you’re in there you might as well replace the filter and that means a new seal for that. Then, you put the fluid in.

Don’t forget to throw away your old transmission pan when done.

 

[Devil6]

How do you determine if it’s full or not? No dipstick, right?

It has one but it’s not like one you’ve seen before. It’s for the mechanic to use, probably on top of the transmission. You remove a cover and then find something that might be like what a motorcycle has, a small finger sized dipstick.

 

[Devil6]

It doesn't. It wasn't meant to. It was my way of expressing humor. I've already posted on this topic; you can read through the thread to see my comments. It struck me as funny that someone is willing to state--with no background, proof, data, citation, etc.--that everything everyone else writes in opposition to their opinion is simply wrong.

I don't believe anyone here on this post has suggested you should blindly go 150K without changing your transmission fluid. What has been posted time and again is to follow Ford's recommended service guidance, which includes inspection of the transmission fluid. If an inspection reveals a need to change the fluid then you should do so. If the fluid passes inspection I see no reason not to use it for the full recommended 150K, mainly because as @Alfa 2407 notes, performing intrusive maintenance imposes risks.

I acknowledge your comment. I have the same humor but unfortunately it doesn’t easily translate to Internet forums.
The argument made was exactly to wait until 150000 miles according to Fords recommendations. How do you change it yourself if you don’t change it out?

 

[Mark S.]

The argument made was exactly to wait until 150000 miles according to Fords recommendations.

I'm not aware of anyone saying that. My argument is that owner's should follow Ford's recommended maintenance schedule, which is based on the data it collected during product testing, and which includes periodic inspections of the transmission fluid. Presumably, if inspection reveals an issue with the fluid prior to the recommended change interval the owner would be advised to change it.

How do you change it yourself if you don’t change it out?

I don't. For this job the car goes to the dealership service department. There's too much chance of mucking something up on this one that could result in an expensive repair bill. Let the service dept do it, that way if they dork it up it's their dime.

 

[Alfa 2407]

I don't. For this job the car goes to the dealership service department. There's too much chance of mucking something up on this one that could result in an expensive repair bill. Let the service dept do it, that way if they dork it up it's their dime.

This I can agree with, while yes it can be done, it is not a good idea and should be reserved for last resort to do it yourself

 

[Bucko]

This I can agree with, while yes it can be done, it is not a good idea and should be reserved for last resort to do it yourself

Or a transmission shop. I have one that I've used for years with my other Ford's (F-150's) doing much more towing duty than the BS would ever do. The shop specializes in only A/C and transmission service. They use a low pressure means of getting all the trans fluid out. Prior to doing the flush, they test drive, drop the pan, do a complete inspection, then call the owner to recommend or not recommend (translation: don't waste money on this transmission) a flush, but rather do a simple pan drop , filter change, and a few quarts to top off the pan removals loss of fluid.

Been using them for around 12 years now. No, and I said NO issues with my automatic transmissions on the other Fords. They got a 30K interval of transmission flushes. Once again, they did work harder than the BS I own will ever do, so perhaps the BS transmission can go longer on its fluid (the Ford F-150's had a shorter interval recommendation for transmission fluid changes).

My personal definition of a 150K transmission fluid lifespan? The transmission and its fluid will last 150K. After that, you are on borrowed time. That's my interpretation of lifetime fluid. I do not have any documented proof of my definition. I do have 4 past and present Ford F-150 trucks that have carried me past the 200K odometer with no transmission failures. That is good enough for me to say that having the transmission fluid changed prior to the lifetime stated in their owners manual will be what I follow on any other vehicle I own, and should I decide I'm keeping the BS past 30K, I'll do the same. If I plan to trade it off, I won't spent the maintenance money for the transmission fluid change.

Transmission fluid contains additives for the internal clutches; this has a lifetime. I'm not able to get it in my head that these additives can last 150K. At the very least, I'd consider adding additives (Lucas sells it) every 30 to 40K to replenish the old transmission fluid.

If you trade a vehicle in before its 150K "lifetime" of transmission fluid expectancy, then you have no issues to be concerned about.

 

[davidg4781]

Does the BS have a 150k mile transmission fluid change interval? I read into that but don't really remember (I'm at 5k, not worried right now).

I wonder if we don't do towing or heavy off roading we can get by with 50k mile interval changes. I like the idea of just dropping the pan and filling it up, just to keep it fresh and get new additives in there.

 

[Bigbearfan34]

Well i currently have 76k on my BB . This lst sunday decided to do the trans fluid myself. Removed airbox there are two fill spots on top of the trans. One has a rubber plug says dont remove. Which is more towards the front where the valve body is. The second has a “breather” rubber 4” spout that eeds to be removed. Drained approx 5.25 quarts from the drain plug on the bottom. I would suggest to measure your fluid to know how much to put back in as there is no dipstick.

i have towed my sons 12’ aluminum boat couple times other then that just “normal” albeit alot of driving for a 21. The fluid was black and definitely needed changing . its about $50 in trans fluid which is ford ULV “ultra low viscosity” not atf 4 . even though the fluid was black it didnt smell burnt and there was no metal on the drain plug.

ill probly do the ptu when i do the next trans fluid in about 1k miles just to try and get more fresh trans fluid in there.

 

[Bucko]

Well i currently have 76k on my BB . This lst sunday decided to do the trans fluid myself. Removed airbox there are two fill spots on top of the trans. One has a rubber plug says dont remove. Which is more towards the front where the valve body is. The second has a “breather” rubber 4” spout that eeds to be removed. Drained approx 5.25 quarts from the drain plug on the bottom. I would suggest to measure your fluid to know how much to put back in as there is no dipstick.

i have towed my sons 12’ aluminum boat couple times other then that just “normal” albeit alot of driving for a 21. The fluid was black and definitely needed changing . its about $50 in trans fluid which is ford ULV “ultra low viscosity” not atf 4 . even though the fluid was black it didnt smell burnt and there was no metal on the drain plug.

ill probly do the ptu when i do the next trans fluid in about 1k miles just to try and get more fresh trans fluid in there.

That's better than doing nothing, but be aware that you did not get the fluid in the torque converter. Depending on their size, it could be anywhere from 3 to 5 quarts or old trans fluid that mixed with your fresh 5 plus quarts.

Kind of like partially draining the engine oil, but leaving a quart or two of old oil.

This is why I have a transmission shop do mine. Low pressure flush, and they remove all fluid, and replenish with fresh new fluid. If you do this every 30K, there is no issue with pushing potential contaminants through the transmission as the internet myths warn about.

If you wait until you have high mileage to do a complete flush, the reputable transmission shops will drop the pan first (needed anyway to change the filter if it has one and a flush is performed) and inspect the valve body prior to a flush. If its found that there is significant wear in the bands, they don't recommend the flush, but will change the filter and top off the fluid from the pan drop.

 

[Bigbearfan34]

Dont forget there is no “pan” on these “sealed” transmissions. I agree im not getting the all the fluid from the torque converter ill call the local stealership and see what their price is for trans service.

 

[Mark S.]

The fluid was black and definitely needed changing .

The color of the fluid is not indicative of serviceability.

 

[Bigbearfan34]

Your correct . As an ex ford mechanic and in my experience when trans fluid changes to black and doesnt have that lovely trans fluid smell. your alot closer to time to change then to send it for another 25k + not to mention the summers can be brutal here in vegas…

 

[PPR_Ricky]

Hit 30K miles today and found time to change the PTU fluid. On the Badlands, you have to remove the PTU liquid cooler. There’s two bolts that connect the PTU cooler to the PTU. Once the bolts are removed, you can pull the PTU cooler out (have a drain pan ready, because the old PTU fluid will dump out). I clamped the two hoses that lead to the PTU cooler just in case, but I don’t think it’s necessary unless you remove the hoses. The fill plug is located on the passenger side of the PTU. It took about 3/4 quart of new fluid. ( Motorcraft SAE 75W-85 Premium Synthetic Hypoid Gear Lubricant).

The old fluid probably could have gone another 10-20k miles, as it was still liquid and not sludge. There were a ton of metallic shavings in the fluid though. Overall it took about 2 hours.
Hope this helps anyone with a Badlands, as most info online is for the air cooled PTU’s.

Does the 1.5 also have PTU? I hit 21k on monday but I do go off-roading on weekends and now want to change that oil ?