Trans Questions

[Bubba]

Three hours reading through forums. Gonna ask this question which I am sure has been asked and answered and I apologize for it.
I am going to change and flush Transmission from what I have been reading here, and I could keep on reading as I learn more and more. What I need to know from you guys in the know, what is the best ATF to use? Also where do I find this WIKI someone mentioned as to where I could find the procedure for flushing and filling. Also should I drop pan first and replace filter before flushing, or midway through flushing? I have a copy of a flushing plan, but would like to find out as much as I can before hand.

My truck is a 1999 F-350 Dually Supercab, 2WD long bed, no major mods, I have used the Super Tuner to increase horsepower. I have all new pillar gauges to install, Trans Temp (my truck has no trans temp gauge) Boost, I forget the 3rd one, not in front of me. other than these this bugger is stock with 235k

 

[JLDickmon]

at the mileage that's on it, yes, I'd drop the pan and change the filter as well.

the WIKI is in the very upper right corner of this page in the thin blue links bar

NOTE:
you may be inviting disaster on a high mileage transmission if it has not been routinely serviced. A lot of gunk may have built up in the nooks & crannies, and flushing it may break some of this loose and float it into the valve body of the trans. Best way to know is a pan drop.
If the pan is full of black grit, put a filter on it, refill it and hope for the best.

 

[DaveBen]

Just use Mercon ATF. Your transmission is too old to be starting to run synthetic oil. You would be throwing good money into an unkown hole.

Dave

 

[MJ Synthetics]

I disagree with DaveBen its not to old to use synthetic. It will actually run cooler and smoother with a synthetic. These transmissions are built for hundreds of thousands of miles with routine maintanence. If you don't use a machine to flush the tranny you will be fine. A static flush will help you get approx 90%+ fresh synthetic fluid in the trans.

Choose a quality synthetic fluid and put it in. If you only do a pan drop then do another in 5k miles that will act as a flush also. After you get two pan drops or do the static flush with a good synthetic you will be good for 50k miles on that fluid change.

Let us know how you decide to go.

 

[Bubba]

Thanks guys, and thanks JL, I believe ya got a good point. While I have a spare vehicle I will drop it first and see, I hadn't thought of that. I was going to drive it to Charlotte today, but Wed night on a 1st time ever 7000lb pull OD light started flashing, I think it over heated for last 35 miles, seems to be ok now but after reading you guys here I will leave it parked till I can do a drop on Sunday or Monday. I will let yall know what I see afterwards. Thanks and have a good weekend.
Barry

 

[trackspeeder]

Take a good look in the pan. If you don't see any mistery materials (steel or other metal flakes). Go ahead and use a Mercon or Mercon V rated synthetic fluid.

 

[dpantazis]

MJ- i'd normally agree with your conventional wisdom but not for our trucks. you need to read the info on Mercon - Mercon V.

iirc- the original clutches in the 4R100s don't like the synthetic fluid. you will be wearing out the clutch packs because the syn fluid is too slippery.

Bubba - routine maintenance is 30k fluid changes with plain jane mercon. do you know the history on this truck and/or the trans service? if the trans is at the end of its normal life, what have you considered to do? talk to your rebuilder and see what they say.

dennis

 

[JLDickmon]

Thanks guys, and thanks JL, I believe ya got a good point. While I have a spare vehicle I will drop it first and see, I hadn't thought of that. I was going to drive it to Charlotte today, but Wed night on a 1st time ever 7000lb pull OD light started flashing, I think it over heated for last 35 miles, seems to be ok now but after reading you guys here I will leave it parked till I can do a drop on Sunday or Monday. I will let yall know what I see afterwards. Thanks and have a good weekend.
Barry

know anyone with a scan tool? Other than Advanced/AutoZone?
you need to know what code that threw if the OD light was blinking...

 

[ward cleaver]

AMSOIL, I did this yesterday!
(New filter, Sonnax modulator kit, B&M drain plug and 5 gals of Amsoil).
Anyone know what the transfer capacity is? Still need to do this.

 

[trackspeeder]

MJ- i'd normally agree with your conventional wisdom but not for our trucks. you need to read the info on Mercon - Mercon V.

iirc- the original clutches in the 4R100s don't like the synthetic fluid. you will be wearing out the clutch packs because the syn fluid is too slippery.

Bubba - routine maintenance is 30k fluid changes with plain jane mercon. do you know the history on this truck and/or the trans service? if the trans is at the end of its normal life, what have you considered to do? talk to your rebuilder and see what they say.

dennis

Synthetic is no more slippery then plain old Mercon or Mercon V.