i wanna get as much out possible this weekend...so i hear u can disconnect the line to the cooler and then run the truck in neutral and let it all pump itself out...is this true??.....can any harm be done by having the tranny dry for a lil moment like that while running the truck???....i wanna put in dexron 3 with lube guard ...

can anyone that has done this give me the general step by step??

thanx boys

 

The way I've done it to change to synthetic is to disconnect one of the rubber hoses at the cooler up front, they are held on with hose clamps on '95s and easy to get at. Use some scrap hose to run it to a bucket, make sure to get the right end or you will have fluid all over the place. If in doubt use two hoses. Start and run in N till the flow stops.

You don't really need to remove all the fluid to change from ATF +3 to Dexron unless the old fluid looks or smells burnt. ATF +3 and Dexron III are compatible with each other, just dropping the pan is good enough.
Don't add the Lube-Gard unless you don't like the way the tranny shifts, many folks don't mind the jerkier shifts without it.

 

I will be doing the same thing sometime hopefully soon to change over my fluid over to Synthetic RP. I got 17 quarts because I guess that is a complete drain, but I am just going to go by how much comes out and see.

 

I had my buddy flush mine at his Lincoln Dealership. It took 11 quarts plus .5 quart of Winn's Additive. I made the mistake of buying 17 quarts also because my Powerstroke took that much. Take at least 5 or 6 back. Anyways have a wonderful day. Aaron

 

Many guys get away with this method. But if you think about it , you are risking running the pump with out oil. This will cause some damage to it and the bushing. Just be aware of this.

 

Flushing is running the risk of pushing trash down in the valve body. It is not a recommended practice for trannys with mileage up on them. The pan drop or line pump is the safest way to change out. The flushing reverse's the flow and can and will shove the nasty stuff back thru the valve body and can cause trouble. Goodluck,,,Rick

 

oh yeah?? thanx boys i was concerened about thsoe issues ...so then i cant really flush it safely at home huh...better take it to a garage??

 

I would not let the pump run dry. You can tell when your getting close to running dry because the fluid will start to get frothy. It will take pretty darn close to 16-17 quarts. I recommend you drop the pan and change the filter, then dump in the same amount of new fluid in as you got out when you dropped the pan. A filter and gasket at auto zone is about $12.00. After the filter is changed and the pan is back, add the 5 quarts, then start the "pumping method".

Do like infidel suggests. To prevent the pump from running dry, start with 17 quarts sitting next to your truck, drop the rubber hose at the cooler into a bucket.

Start the truck, pump out 2 or 3 quarts, shut off truck, add 2 or 3 quarts of new fluid, then go back and start truck, pump 2 or 3 quarts and so on. You will know when all the old fluid is pumped out because you will see the new clean fluid start to flow into the bucket (the new fluid will be bright clean red, the old will be darker).

After the new fluid starts to appear. Shut off truck, reconnect hose, and check your level. Might be a good idea to add about one quart less on the first pump out so when it's all done, all you will have to do is top off. Allot easier then stuffing a tube down the dipstick spout and sucking it out.


Good Luck, Kevin

 

I think the flushing that Rick speaks of that can be damaging is the type done in a garage where a machine pumps the fluid backwards. Even worse is the type of flushing that uses a solvent to break crud loose which later clogs things up.
You won't have a problem pumping most of the old fluid out using the tranny itself if you shut the engine down as soon as froth or air blasts occur. Best with two people. When running the tranny dry in N there is very little in the way of tight tolerances in the tranny that would be damaged by a few seconds pumping the last of the fluid out.