maintenance question

[Sumerbird]

Re: maintenance question

Transmission service,,I have thought about it but it is a sealed unit ,,,,I wounder how many TBirds have had there Transmission seviced? GoBird I have read some of your instructions and pictorials for working on the TBirds whats your take on Transmission service?

[PaulD]

Re: maintenance question

I do not understand the constant reference to a "sealed unit". My 03 Workshop Manual clearly shows a fluid pan that can be removed to access the lower part of the transmission for something like the fluid filter. Also shows how a special tool (Automatic Transmission Fush and Fill Machine 211-00018 or equivalent) is hooked to the drain plug under the transmission to do the messy work of flushing the oil out and refilling it with new oil.

[V8 Cat]

Re: maintenance question

I do not understand the constant reference to a "sealed unit". My 03 Workshop Manual clearly shows a fluid pan that can be removed to access the lower part of the transmission for something like the fluid filter. Also shows how a special tool (Automatic Transmission Fush and Fill Machine 211-00018 or equivalent) is hooked to the drain plug under the transmission to do the messy work of flushing the oil out and refilling it with new oil.

It can be serviced, but it seems the most difficult part from what I understand is replacing the fluid to exactly the right level since there is no dipstick to check that level. I think I remember that the vehicle and or ATF has to be at a certain temperature then you fill it to the bottom of the opening for the fill port. This is all from memory, but it was so involved I knew it needed to be left to an expert and not techs at a quick change oil facility - you probably can guess the major one I am thinking of.

[Ediron]

Re: maintenance question

If Ford say's fluid change at 100k and you change it before that with a company other than Ford will it affect your extended warranty with Ford if your tranny fails ?

[007Cruiser]

Re: maintenance question

How would they know?

[Gobird]

Re: maintenance question

Haven't touched my trans at all. Don't really plan to until at least 100,000 unless something goes wrong.

[Rondor]

Re: maintenance question

....still not sure how you do a transmission service on a sealed unit?

Not like the old way,,, and to me not as good. Ford has special equipment to force flush the fluid, so they say. Heat will eventually deterioriate the fluid as it will any lube over time. Ford's tourque convertors seem very sesitive. I have had several Fords begin to shift hard or jerk while in hi gear and the fluid change cured it everytime.

[Gobird]

Re: maintenance question

Ron, on my old 95 Bird and 97 F-150 I change the fluid and filter myself at around 40,000 miles. They both did what you are saying but this new trans hasn't showed any signs of that at 75,000.

Now, the new Focus I am getting doesn't even have fluid in the trans. It's a dry twin clutch trans.

[Ediron]

Re: maintenance question

How would they know?

I don't know if they would other than having a service person say "your fluids burnt" and the owner saying "I had it changed at XXX miles by ...." and there are some who would say this.
Last time I had a COPS changed the service tech made a note "has aftermarket air cleaner" a K&N CAI ,what that has to do with a COPS I don't know. Dealers will look for any reason to charge the owner.

[XCR440SP]

Re: maintenance question

So Ford has a bunch of scheduled maintenance things that they suggest to do...
For example, last time I brought my bird in they suggested the following:
air filter - 39.95
fuel filter - 79.95
injector flushed - 139
throttle body - 89
clean out intake - 139
What do you all do? Do you do everything that the manual suggests? For what it's worth I have an 04 bird with the ford ESP... it's my every day car with about 37k on it.

Air Filter- Do as it gets dirty. I work at a dealership in Iowa. We have some diesels that are in the dirt all day and need filters at every oil change, and others that have 100,000 miles and the filter looks like new.

Fuel Filter- Not required, but this is one I do on my own vehicles every 30,000. Fuel quality isn't very good, and fuel filters are cheap insurance agains other problems. We fight a lot of fuel pumps and other issues that filter changes can help reduce (but they don't show up until many, many more miles than you ahve now) This price seems high to me, but rates will vary by area so it may be normal where you live.

Injector Flush- This is a joke, we don't do it at our dealership. It's like paint sealant, does very little, yet generates great profit for the dealer. I do recomend some fuel additive once in a while. I like Sea Foam as it seems to do a really good job eliminating water from the fuel. I don't get many miles, but I try to dose the tank for storage and one or two during the summer to prevent water in fuel.

Throttle Body- We generally only do this if there is a driveability concern, it consists of pulling off the air hose where it goes into the engine and spraying some carb cleaner on the throttle body, likely not neccisary on your car.

Clean out intake- This seems far fetched to me, I'm assuming they'll do some sort of spray through the throttle body. Save your money.

On my cars:
Oil every 3K (except 08 up Fords, then every 5K)

Fuel filter every 30K (except newer since filter is in the tank)

air filter as needed

Trans fluid flush- I'd do it every 5 years, not for fluid, but do to avoid condensation. May not be neccisary, but cheap insurance. On the lifetime fill thing, Explorer used the same transmission, but the "severe duty" schedule said trans fluid every 30K.

Coolant- 5 years.

[Phil marzo]

Re: maintenance question

where can a get a pcm update for my 2003 thunderbird here in ft lauderdale florida