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TorqShift transmission oil change

49K views 20 replies 12 participants last post by  BLEnt 
#1 ·
I have been reading posts on here that you should just leave the tranny alone, or if you do change the oil in it, you dont need to change the external filter. I would agree that 30,000 miles is early for a transmission flush but i don't want warranty issues so I had it done. Looking at my filter I cant understand how they can do a flush with out changing the filter. So why would a dealer not include a filter? Ford put one there for a reason. I would think that this is the probable cause for transmission failure, a plugged filter. now my tranny shifts are smoother and my wallet is lighter.
 
#2 ·
It depends on the usage, if you're towing a lot I'd say it needs to be changed every 30-40K, if not you could probably go a lot longer (especially with synthetics)

Which leads me to the question, what fluid is recommended (and not recommended) for the 5R110? Does it require a HFM fluid?

I know there was a lot of controversy over running synthetics and/or Mercon V in the 4R100.

(too lazy to walk out to the truck and read the manual LOL)
 
#4 ·
ok I'm just about to do the 3rd fluid change on my 03's torqshift

do it yourself

I only drain the pan, thats about half of the tranny fluid
I change the external filter up at the tranny cooler [by the radiator passenger side]
ONLY USE Mercon SP fluid in the tranny if you value your warranty and tranny seals.

the whole process takes 20 minutes.

if I recall correctly there was a nice write up on this on Dieslemans 6.0 site
 
#5 ·
I had the dealer flush my tranny by hooking it to their flushing machine do-hicky thing. They did not change the filters or drop the pan. The service tech told me the flush machine do-hicky thing actually cleans the filters as well.
 
#6 ·
jennamax said:
I had the dealer flush my tranny by hooking it to their flushing machine do-hicky thing. They did not change the filters or drop the pan. The service tech told me the flush machine do-hicky thing actually cleans the filters as well.

the external filter on the tranny cooler is a paper element that looks like a mini roll of TP no way a flush is going to clean it. the internal filter is a wire mesh and I can see that getting cleaned in a flush. go pull the filter on the cooler, I'll bet it looks like crap
 
#7 ·
I have never change the oil in my tranny (41000 miles) ,but I did take the time to change out the 12 dollar tp paper filter , my old man did his at the same time and both of us agree that it did shift better after doing this.But we both imagine stuff all the time anyways.We didnt lose more than 4 oz of oil.The other thing I did notice was a temp difference on my gauge ,it did run a little cooler even if it was just 10 degrees. But the old filter that came out look like crap.
 
#8 ·
When you change the paper filter does the tranny oil spill out? Or is it a simple pull and replace procedure? Do you buy the filter from the dealer or is any auto part store's filter sufficient?
 
#9 ·
jennamax said:
When you change the paper filter does the tranny oil spill out? Or is it a simple pull and replace procedure? Do you buy the filter from the dealer or is any auto part store's filter sufficient?
There's a little bit of oil, but nothing serious. Just use a rag.

The dealer charged me $26.00 for mine, but I'm Canadian, so it prolly only $12-$13.00 for you US residents.
 
#10 ·
444turbodiesel,


Ford uses mercon sp, (18) quarts, there isnt anything else on the market yet as far as I know. Its synthetic so what could be better?? :shrug:

I agree with Triguy that you need to change the filters and as bad as mine looked I will change the filter again in about 1000 miles because between the machine flush and new oil I am sure it will be dirty soon.
 
#11 ·
With filters, NEVER use any thing but the dealers stuff. i tried to get fuel and oil filters from the "other guys" stores and they DO NOT FIT RIGHT.
 
#12 ·
Last time I changed my oil I bought a Fleetguard filter, when I opened it it was identical to the Motorcrap one, same P/N, same print, same country of origin (not USA)

I'm waiting for a Fleetguard to make a Stratapore version.
 
#13 ·
Spuppy said:
444turbodiesel,


Ford uses mercon sp, (18) quarts, there isnt anything else on the market yet as far as I know. Its synthetic so what could be better?? :shrug:
I'd stick with the Ford stuff then. DEFINATELY change the filter every time there are a lot of abrasives in a transmission and you don't want them floating around any longer than necessary.

I'd do more than just a pan drain/filter swap too.
 
#14 ·
If you drop the pan and change the external filter, roughly how many quarts do you think you would need? What tools and parts would you need for this job? Also I think I remember reading that if you started the truck up you would get more fluid out.....if thats tru how long should I run it?
 
#15 ·
Draining the pan only gets about 6qts out, there's a drain plug just like the engine oil pan.



The easiest way to change 95%+ of the fluid is through one of the lines.

With the 4R100 you have to remove one of the cooler lines from the transmission or radiator and connect a hose to it to run into a bucket;
but you might be able to remove the filter on the 5R110 and put a bucket under it. (I haven't changed mine yet so I don't know if there's a check valve in the filter housing)

1. Drain the pan.
2. Pour in 6 qts of fluid.
3. Run the truck with a cooler line in a bucket (or a bucket under the filter housing) until the flow slows down (it'll start bubbling out of the line) shut off the truck.
4. Add 6 qts and repeat step 3.
5. Install new filter.
5. Add 5qts, start the truck and check the fluid level, add to cold mark.
6. Drive around until hot and check level again.


When I did it on my 4R100 I just did 6/6/6 and it came out perfect (full to cold mark) but I'm not sure how the 5R110 will compare.
 
#16 ·
Extended Power said:
There's a little bit of oil, but nothing serious. Just use a rag.

The dealer charged me $26.00 for mine, but I'm Canadian, so it prolly only $12-$13.00 for you US residents.
After reading this i decided to change my roll of toilet paper that has 45K miles on it. I have an account with my dealership and it listed for 36.11 and my cost was 27.08.
 
#17 ·
After reading about the t.p. type filter i decided to change it, the stealership charged about 38.00 for it, what a rip-off but I guess it is better than the alternative-which is walking!
 
#18 ·
My dealer wants 40 bucks for the external filter!! What a rip for a paper filter.

When changing the external filter do you have to disconnect the fluid lines? It doesn't appear that the housing simply screws off.
 
#19 ·
The housing does unscrew leaving you with a 'bowl'. I used the correct size socket (sorry, I can't remember it) & hit it with the impact gun. Came right off. Very little fluid loss. I slowly poured tranny fluid into the filter/bowl until about 1/2 full. I then reinstalled it.
 
#20 ·
I believe it's a 22mm socket. I think that's what i used with an impact. It came right off.
 
#21 ·
Yes 22mm scoket and impact driver. Dealer cost was 30 bucks for filter. There is many companies on the net that sell them 8-19 bucks. Dealer flush will not clean paper filter. Mine was at 28k. Next time will be around 15k because it was black.

Flush in driveway. The trick is oil at trans temp. Drain 7.5 add 8 then flush out 10.5 in a minute, add 10 which was right in the middle, when hot= 17.5

Cost with oil and filter 110 bucks, about 1 hr running around for parts and clear tubeing and 15qt clear bucket. I used a petcock valve. Work great for one person to do. You can control the speed and stop when you see new oil in clear tube.
 
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