Transmission maintenance question - Diesel Forum

GARY2303 · 11-30-2006, 06:48 PM

Hi everyone here is my question. First off I have 45000 miles on my 6.0 and I do some hauling not alot. So do I have my tranny flushed by my local mechanic or just change fluid? He is planning on flushing it and changing the external filter. Does this sound ok to you guys or would you recommend something different? Now would I be safe to buy the tranny filters off of E-Bay or not. My mechanic is going to price the fluid and filter from FORD tomorrow. Also if you could give me a basic idea on how you guys do this step by step Thank you for the input!

dwelch1 · 11-30-2006, 06:59 PM

I paid $3.80 a qt for Mercon SP, I bought 10 qts and a MC filter on e-bay (got 2 for $25.00) I drained about 8.5 out of the pan and changed the external filter and re-filled, I have 45K on my truck also, the fluid was changed at 12K when my tranny was rebuilt under the recall, local dealers around here wanted $250ish for a flush. The internal filter is good for 100k miles.

KingVinnie · 11-30-2006, 07:15 PM

I did the same as dwelch1 at 36K drain and filter. Got my stuff from Kman:
http://k-mansparts.com/Browse_dept_i...ilters__Fluids

curdog · 11-30-2006, 07:45 PM

Hey guys, I'm getting close to replacing fluid/filters as well. Thanks for the link King, great prices on motorcraft stuff! I also want to change the fluid in the TC also, how much of a booger is that to do, what type fluid and do I have to take the tranny down to do this? I noticed a small rubber plug in the front of the tranny, is that access to perform such an operation? This is my first Powerstroke with an auto so I'm new to this part of the game.

craigwe · 11-30-2006, 09:27 PM

i had mine to the Ford garage for a BG Flush and filter(external, internal) changed.. $138 for everything..

johnmart · 11-30-2006, 09:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Hey guys, I'm getting close to replacing fluid/filters as well. Thanks for the link King, great prices on motorcraft stuff! I also want to change the fluid in the TC also, how much of a booger is that to do, what type fluid and do I have to take the tranny down to do this? I noticed a small rubber plug in the front of the tranny, is that access to perform such an operation? This is my first Powerstroke with an auto so I'm new to this part of the game.

[/ QUOTE ]

There is no drain for the TC in a TorqueShift. If you want to change all the fluid, you will either have to take it to a trans shop with a fluid exchange machine or do as some recommend and pump the fluid into a bucket from the heat exchanger hose while someone pours fluid in to replace what is pumped out. A rather inexact process. There is a thermostat involved in the heat exchange system so you will probably have to heat the new fluid to 175 degrees or so and be sure your tranny is hot.

Just be sure to use Mercon sp fluid. Nothing else is acceptable in a TorqueShift.

fastmike926 · 11-30-2006, 10:13 PM

I took mine to a local quick lube place yesterday, and they flushed the fluid and replaced both filters for $115. I asked them why the big price difference between them and the dealer which was $230 and the lady shrugged and said that they do alot of torqshifts and they buy the filters and Mercon SP from the same dealership that quoted me the $230. I was real pleased with their work.

craigwe · 11-30-2006, 10:14 PM

correct, ONLY Mercon SP fluid.. the torqshift is meant to build an maintain an operating temp.. the GM/allison trannys are meant to stay as cool as possible.. a much differnt oil is needed.

hotpursuit · 11-30-2006, 11:38 PM

i do not use mercon... but that may be due tot the fact i have different clutches in the tranny from suncoast.

curdog · 12-01-2006, 11:39 PM

I don't mean to highjack the thread, but if there is no drain for the TC in our tranny's, does that mean there is no user maintinace I can perform for the TC? How strong are these TC's? Would it be smart to replace it with an upgraged TC if I'm using a SCT Extreme Race tune.

hotpursuit · 12-01-2006, 11:42 PM

either have a place to the flush, or drain what you can from the pan, replace filters and call it a day....keep an eye on the fluid, you can tell if its burnt, and if you dont have one get a real temp gauge for the tranny and keep an eye on your temps... tranny may hold up to the sct depending on your driving habits.

GARY2303 · 12-02-2006, 05:00 PM

Hi everyone well I made some progress on this tranny maintenance issue. My mechanics friend works at a FORD dealership and he just recently did a 6.0. When asked he said to just drain the tranny fluid and replace the external filter only and thats it. He said that FORD does not recommend flushing this transmission. My mechanic was going to use a mechine and flush the tranny however I told him lets do what is recommended. Hope this helps some others out oh positively only use Mercon SP fluid.