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Author
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Topic: How often do you change auto trans fluid?
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 05-02-2005 08:09 PM
   
I've had my rebuilt c-4 for about two years now. It has less then 2000 miles on it. How often should I change the fluid and filter?
The guy that built it changed the fluid and filter at about 200miles after he rebuilt it. Hasn't been touched since then, the fluid still smells and looks good.
Does sitting affect the fluid at all?------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe 351w C4 Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26811
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 05-02-2005 08:28 PM
It's cheap enough Ron.
You do get varnish deposits and moisture contamination from all of the sitting.
Get yourself two gallons of TYPE "F" and give the trans a treat.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 05-02-2005 08:32 PM
Thanks Alex
Sorry but a few more questions, should I change the filter too, or just drain the fluid? Also should I drain the fluid out of the cooler too?
------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe 351w C4 Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26811
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 05-02-2005 08:43 PM
Filter is just a screen, but it usually comes in a kit with a gasket anyway.
Flush the entire system with air if you can, then refill with all fresh TYPE "F" .
Get whatever brand is on sale.
Usually the chain stores have it in gallons much cheaper.
Now what I have discovered is that Pep Homos carries genuine Motorcraft Type "F" and Wal-Mart has Kendall if you want to spend the extra couple of bucks.
Actually you can get the ATF and filter kit at Wal-Mart for less than a parts store these days.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 05-02-2005 09:11 PM
Thanks again ------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe 351w C4 Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26811
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 05-02-2005 09:57 PM
You're welcome. ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 3702
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 05-02-2005 10:45 PM
quote:
The guy that built it changed the fluid and filter at about 200miles after he rebuilt it.
Let me stick my head in the noose and say that's unnecessary. A rebuilt C4 is not like an engine with a new cam.
Also, as Alex says, the "filter" is actually a screen. While filters should be changed regularly, these screens can be cleaned up so they're good as new.
And lastly, unless there's signs of burning, I never drain and change my ATF.
This is all from a road driver's perspective. Am I wrong on all counts?
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26811
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 05-02-2005 10:49 PM
Do you do the same with your motor oil Simon?
 ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 3702
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 05-02-2005 11:13 PM
Errrrrrrrrrr ... pretty much  I don't put the mileage on any of my cars to require an oil change more than every five years. Seriously though ... should tranny fluid be changed shortly after a rebuild? For folks like me, it's almost always just the old parts going back together with some new bands.
And if the ATF still looks, feels and smells good, plus a pint or so a year drips out the bottom anyway, can't you just top it up?
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TrishOfStc
Gearhead Posts: 150
From: Riverside, Ca
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 05-02-2005 11:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Moneymaker:
Flush the entire system with air if you can
From a carpenters viewpoint this would be done how? The wife had her Merc flushed and they said they disconected at the raidator and flushed it. Would you just do the same with air until clear and then fill? If so how would you get the fluid into the torc convertor or would it damage it to start the motor if left in park while filling?
I think this covers about 17 of the 20 questions.Trish must have been on my system and I did not check the default of user.... ------------------
Carpenter by day Computer Science Major by Night
Our Pics [This message has been edited by TrishOfStc (edited 05-02-2005).]
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 05-03-2005 02:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Fastback68:
[QUOTE]The guy that built it changed the fluid and filter at about 200miles after he rebuilt it.
Let me stick my head in the noose and say that's unnecessary. A rebuilt C4 is not like an engine with a new cam.
Also, as Alex says, the "filter" is actually a screen. While filters should be changed regularly, these screens can be cleaned up so they're good as new.
And lastly, unless there's signs of burning, I never drain and change my ATF.
This is all from a road driver's perspective. Am I wrong on all counts?[/QUOTE]He did the change for free, he wanted to check the bands, and make sure everything was tight aways. So maybe it's not needed but it's how this guy does it. He's a friend of mine and darn good tranny guy. To bad he moved away.  ------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe 351w C4 Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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clevelandstyle
Gearhead Posts: 1189
From: Connersville, IN
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 05-03-2005 08:05 AM
Like anything that gets "rebuilt" there is a lot of contaminants floating around in the fluid after startup. Thrust washers release particals. Clutches abd bands release dust on break in. Take a look in the bottom of the pan and it's easy to see. It never hirts to change fluid. ------------------
Ben
Grabber Green '70 Mach I 351C 4V
Robbin Egg Blue '79 Fairmont 408C 4V, 10.50 127 MPH
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26811
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 05-03-2005 09:31 AM
With one cooler line disconnected you can then introoduce air pressure and flush the system with the pan off.
Most FoMoCo torque converters have drain plugs.
You can run the car in neutral without fluid for short periods. (10-15 seconds)------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 05-03-2005 12:04 PM
My trans pan has a drain plug should I still pull the pan off, or just use the drain the plug?------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe 351w C4 Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26811
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 05-03-2005 02:01 PM
With your limited usage Ron, you can get away with just draining it.
Drain your converter also if you have a plug.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
IP: Logged |
Clark
Gearhead Posts: 730
From: Rowlett,Texas
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 05-03-2005 02:51 PM
Well here goes the second guy in the noose! I agree that changing fluid frequently is not a bad thing and will especially help on cars running on the track. But I have seen several daily driver cars that go over 100K without changes and it is always after a flush or filter chnge that they need a rebuild. If the cooler keeps the fluid from getting too hot, the fluid does not break down. ------------------
69 393W Sportsroof Deluxe
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capri man
Gearhead Posts: 7221
From: doerun, ga.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-03-2005 03:26 PM
alex, you once told me how to drain a converter without a plug by jacking up the front end and running it. but i forgot the details, would you enlighten us? thanks------------------
mike r
racing is real
everything else is just a game.
81 capri-302-7.25 @93mph 1/8
1.54 60 ft.
http://community.prestage.com/Member+Pages/789.aspx
M&M member #839
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26811
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 05-03-2005 04:48 PM
ATF does break down just like any other lubricant.
How often do you change the oil in your deep frier at home? Once a year? Remind me never to eat at your house if that's the case. 
You just can't keep any lubricants clean enough. If a trans fails after a fluid change it was already done and all of the crap floating around was just creating enough friction to keep it moving. It was not efficiant.
That being said, you guys do what you want as far as lubrication intervals and I'll continue to practice what I preach.
I do not go through life penny wise and dollar foolish. Never have, never will.
No brag, just fact!
Mike, get the nose up as high as you can after you have pulled the pan. I mean HIGH!
With a drain pan under the trans, fire the car up in nuetral and rev the motor staticly to about 3k RPM for about 10-15 seconds. Click it off and let it all drain out for about an hour more.
That's how I do it on all of our race cars.
------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
IP: Logged |
74merc
Gearhead Posts: 1266
From: Demopolis AL
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 05-04-2005 12:09 AM
How often for a weekend warrior occasional strip car? rough milage estimate?
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Toronado3800
Gearhead Posts: 1011
From: St. Louis, MO
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 05-04-2005 12:52 AM
In my 200,000 mile Oldsmobile I have to change the tranny fluid every couple years or it starts clunking around like the mounts have gone bad. If the tranny pan/filter assemble wasn't soo deficient (just like C-4s, Turbo 350s, etc) I'd change it once a year or so. I mentioned someplace else at least one 97 Saturn model uses a tranny filter which unscrews like an oil filter. That I can change and not worry about diviting a pan or squishing a gasket, or having the filter assembly drop out of place.I'd skip on the fancy pressure flushes nad wouldn't go through too much trouble to get "all" the fluid from the system. Just drain what you can every couple years. Oh, and if for no other reasons than to remove contaminents and check on things I yank the pan on rebuilt trannies after five hundred miles or so.
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Clark
Gearhead Posts: 730
From: Rowlett,Texas
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 05-04-2005 04:50 PM
I guess I can always expect a beating from Alex and I never fry foods at my house, but you better watch knocking the wife's cooking!As always I politely disagree with frequent Transmission fluid changes, filters yes, fluid no. That's why I think an external filter would be a great idea. And one side note, you better not fly much Alex because some Jet engines do not have a scheduled oil change
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 26811
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 05-04-2005 05:20 PM
No deep fried food at your house Clark????And you call yourself a Texan?
------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
IP: Logged |
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