Dealer says 30K trans service requires flush w/ no filter?? - Diesel Forum

jrc702 · 02-06-2007, 02:34 PM

My '04 has 25K, and I was going to do my trans service a little early, but when I called the dealer and spoke to the SA, he said the required trans service consists of a fluid flush without repl. the external filter, which is contrary to the owners manual.

I know the topic of torqueshift trans services has been covered here many times, and there have been many different answers.

My question is has this maintenance requirement been changed, or is he blowing smoke up my a--?

He quoted me a price of $130, but he insists the flush cleans the filter. When I asked how much extra for the filter, he continued to insist it is not needed.
The same SA also told me they don't recommend replacing the air filter until 60K.

I don't have a good feeling about this whole thing and I am leary that I might even get my truck back with regular ATF in it.

Am I being paranoid?
I don't mind paying more for a flush and filter, but I want it done right.

Your input will be appreciated.

jimmy · 02-06-2007, 02:50 PM

flush is not required, it pays for the flush machine and adds profit and will not clean the inside filter as it is not a back flush through that filter.. Dropping pan and servicing the inside filter is usually optional but is not a bad idea the first time prior to warranty expiration to see if all is OK inside. Definitely change the external as it catches the fine stuff and may be obstructed.

AllOutFirefighter13 · 02-06-2007, 03:00 PM

<font color="blue"> Any SA that would go against what's in the owner's manual raises my BS flag. Get yourself 10 quarts of Mercon SP, an external filter, and an internal one, if you want to replace it. It's just like any other tranny change, and this tranny even has a drain plug. Even the gasket is re-useable. I did mine and it took between 9-10 quarts; most say around 8. To get the housing off the external filter, you can try using a ratchet, but you might have to switch to an impact wrench. Good luck!

Later,

On edit, I unrolled my external filter when I was through and for those that haven't, you should. I could actually see the metal flakes stuck to the material. Pretty cool! </font>

cgsharp74 · 02-06-2007, 03:58 PM

I just had mine done at our local lube center. I laid on the floor in the bay and watched them. they replaced both filters, used the flush machine, used the same gasket, cleaned and wiped the pan and cleaned the magnet. It just had a very little grey sludge on it. Replaced with SP all for $125. Your service advisor sounds shady to me? Good luck with your project.

red03f250 · 02-06-2007, 04:08 PM

I am supprised that the local lube place had mercon sp. Hope they start carrying it in my area. Your price sounds better than what Ford charges. Only question I have is does the trans flush machine heat the trans fluid because the torqueshift has a thermostat that needs heated oil inorder to flush everything out of the trans.

firesoutmatt · 02-06-2007, 05:26 PM

Your SA sucks. Show him in the owners manual and then have him explain why he doesn't do it.

SA like him give the good ones a black eye.

For the 8 bucks for the filter I change mine every oil change 7.5k and the flush every 30k.

firesoutmatt · 02-06-2007, 05:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I just had mine done at our local lube center. I laid on the floor in the bay and watched them. they replaced both filters, used the flush machine, used the same gasket, cleaned and wiped the pan and cleaned the magnet. It just had a very little grey sludge on it. Replaced with SP all for $125. Your service advisor sounds shady to me? Good luck with your project.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope you actually saw the bottles of Mercron SP go in the machine.
Was it motorcraft fluid ??

You would be the first I've heard that a quick lube place even had the SP.

$125.00 for a flush and both filters . They didn't charge enough or used Mercron V . 18 qrts for a flush at say 5 bucks a qrt = $90.00 for the fluid alone.

geezing · 02-06-2007, 05:32 PM

Don't tell my cattle I have leather seats!!!!!!!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]

1SickHarley · 02-06-2007, 06:10 PM

Be lucky you don't have a Mag Hytec tranny pan and have to do 25 quarts.

jrc702 · 02-06-2007, 08:27 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Your SA sucks. Show him in the owners manual and then have him explain why he doesn't do it.

SA like him give the good ones a black eye.

For the 8 bucks for the filter I change mine every oil change 7.5k and the flush every 30k.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think he told me all I need to know and I won't be having the trans serviced at that dealer.
I'll call a couple of the others in town and if I don't like what I hear, I'll change the filter myself and just do a drain and re-fill.

I'm sure as hell not going to try to coax them into doing it right, just to pay for a filter that will end up in someone's tool box and get regular ATF in my trans.

I would like to have it flushed to get all the fluid and don't mind paying for it, but more importantly, I just want it done right.

Hopefully, I'll have better luck at one of the others.

F350Lariat · 02-07-2007, 01:30 AM

A flush definitely will not clean the filter. The external filter on the transmission is similiar to a tightly wound roll of toilet paper with a cardboard center tube.

Be wary, I could not locate a single quick change or transmission shop that carried Mercon SP fluid. They had to purchase it directly from the dealer (Motorcraft SP) and mark it up.

I changed mine in 20 minutes (drain, filter, and refill) in 20 minutes. 10 minutes was waiting for the small trickle to stop. It took 8 quarts and costs $68 with a extra quart (9th) of fluid leftover.

pwrstroke34 · 02-07-2007, 06:23 AM

I'm not ready for the first transmision fluid change yet with only 15,000 miles but I do my own maintenance. Never done the transmission before. Is there a how to list anywhere. From what I read on this site it doesn't sound to difficult, am I wrong.

Mike Schallmann · 02-07-2007, 08:33 AM

A drain and refill is not a equavalent to a true "flush" --take the time and spend the money to get it done right --or do it yourself --the procedure for the do it yourself has been posted before! At thirty K intervals a tranny flush only amounts to one half cent per mile in operating costs--

lutzgater · 02-07-2007, 06:37 PM

Wow, those are some good prices on a flush. In the Tampabay area, the cheapest 'Dealer' price for a flush only, was $175. Add the external filter and you are north of $210.

Man, $120, something is wrong with that picture.

F350Lariat · 02-07-2007, 09:22 PM

I acknowledge that a drain and refill is not equivalent to a true flush, but the scheduled maintenance does not require a flush only a drain and refill. A drain and refill meets the requirement for scheduled service per the owner's manual. Your option satisfies the individual perception that more must be better. I do not necessarily disagree with that argument since I use synthetic oil, certainly not required but I convinced myself that it performs better.

If a flush is desired then go for it, but my calculated price for a flush and external filter if I do it myself is a little over $130 dollars. The number is my costs and does not include labor. As I stated in a similiar post, I would seriously question what type of fluid is being put in the tranny for a $130 flush. My guess, speculation and not fact, is that the fluid being used is Mercon, Mercon V, or some offbrand equivalent. The prices for Mercon SP have not dropped low enough for a company to make a profit at $130 with a full flush.