Routine Transmission Flush

Wouldn't a dealer service department routinely install a new filter when doing a transmission flush?

On Saturday the local Ford dealer flushed my transmission and added 15 quarts of Mercon V. Looking at the invoice today I don't see a filter itemized under parts.

Parts listed are 14 quarts of XT-2-BQT which I presume to be the FP number for bulk Mercon V. And 1 quart of XT-2-QDX which I believe is a quart bottle of Mercon V. Not sure why they would use 1 quart of bottled Mercon V. Lastly, PK10212, transmission flush which presume to be whatever fluid it used to flush the transmission. No filter.

Tomorrow I plan to call them to ask about this, or better yet, drive over there to ask since they are not far from work.

Wouldn't a dealer service department routinely install a new filter when doing a transmission flush?

On Saturday the local Ford dealer flushed my transmission and added 15 quarts of Mercon V. Looking at the invoice today I don't see a filter itemized under parts.

Parts listed are 14 quarts of XT-2-BQT which I presume to be the FP number for bulk Mercon V. And 1 quart of XT-2-QDX which I believe is a quart bottle of Mercon V. Not sure why they would use 1 quart of bottled Mercon V. Lastly, PK10212, transmission flush which presume to be whatever fluid it used to flush the transmission. No filter.

Tomorrow I plan to call them to ask about this, or better yet, drive over there to ask since they are not far from work.
Dealer could have flushed the transmission fluid without removing the oil pan. I do not pretend it is correct but maybe they have just open a transmission cooling line and have only replaced the oil.

Dealer could have flushed the transmission fluid without removing the oil pan. I do not pretend it is correct but maybe they have just open a transmission cooling line and have only replaced the oil.
I did not think of that possibility. It is a real disappointment if that is what they did. I did tell them I wanted a flush, new fluid, and filter. I should know tomorrow.

If you are flushing the transmission, cleaning it out, I would expect they need to replace the filter. But since there is not filter listed on the invoice I doubt it was replaced.

I did not think of that possibility. It is a real disappointment if that is what they did. I did tell them I wanted a flush, new fluid, and filter. I should know tomorrow.

If you are flushing the transmission, cleaning it out, I would expect they need to replace the filter. But since there is not filter listed on the invoice I doubt it was replaced.
If you can, before you talk to the dealer, try to take a look under the van at the transaxle cover, maybe you can see if the oil pan shows that it has been remove, cleaned bolts or cover etc. Maybe they forgot to enter the filter on the sale ticket. But anyway it has to be done, including the cleaning of the magnet. Let us know.

Talked to the dealer service people today. No, they do not drop the pan and replace the filter when they do the transmission flush. Was told as part of the flush they do a back flush that clears the filter... that the filters now are usually screens.

So, does the 96 Windstar have a real paper-type filter, or a filter that is actually a screen. The Chilton manual say to remove and replace the filter. I can't be certain from the pictures in Chilton's, but it looks more like a traditional filter to me. Don't know if this reflects an updated Ford service procedure or a screw up on the part of the service dept.

This isn't relevent to this thread, but someone sent me a link on transmission flushes. Apparently, some quickie-lube places are taking the money, but not actually doing the flushes.

Click on this only if you have high-speed internet:http://mfile.akamai.com/12924/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2006/0503/9152183.200k.asx

I'm drifting towards the service department screwed up. I believe I asked for a filter replacement when I checked the Windstar in.

Talked to the dealer service people today. No, they do not drop the pan and replace the filter when they do the transmission flush. Was told as part of the flush they do a back flush that clears the filter... that the filters now are usually screens.

So, does the 96 Windstar have a real paper-type filter, or a filter that is actually a screen. The Chilton manual say to remove and replace the filter. I can't be certain from the pictures in Chilton's, but it looks more like a traditional filter to me. Don't know if this reflects an updated Ford service procedure or a screw up on the part of the service dept.
Transmission filter for a my 2001 model is the same type used on the 1996
Windstar model; I have replaces mine a few times and it is a steel and plastic case with a soft filter in it, not a screen. Also I do not think a regular transmission flush will clean the magnet which retain the very small metal part that it retain.

So, does the 96 Windstar have a real paper-type filter, or a filter that is actually a screen.
I don't know what's in it, but my 1995 had an actual little plastic box for a filter, not just a gauze screen. I believe the 95 and 96 are the same in that respect.

Transmission filter for a my 2001 model is the same type used on the 1996
Windstar model; I have replaces mine a few times and it is a steel and plastic case with a soft filter in it, not a screen. Also I do not think a regular transmission flush will clean the magnet which retain the very small metal part that it retain.

Now I am annoyed. The Ford dealer should know better. No way the flush is going to clean that filter and as you say it certainly won't remove metal particles from the magnet though that may be less of a problem.

I love when they say they did a "back-flush to clean the filter". If the fluid transfer machine is tied into the cooler lines there is no way to pump ATF backwards through a transmission. You can't pump fluid backwards through a gearotor pump! My closest Blue Oval service dept prefers only to do pan drops & filter changes on Winnies. All the AX4S/N's I've seen have a reusable rubber/metal pan gasket anyway. Mine's been off/replaced twice and doesn't leak a drop.

Joel

I love when they say they did a "back-flush to clean the filter". If the fluid transfer machine is tied into the cooler lines there is no way to pump ATF backwards through a transmission. You can't pump fluid backwards through a gearotor pump! My closest Blue Oval service dept prefers only to do pan drops & filter changes on Winnies. All the AX4S/N's I've seen have a reusable rubber/metal pan gasket anyway. Mine's been off/replaced twice and doesn't leak a drop.

Joel

I think the only reason they do it this way is because it is quicker and easier for them. Initially I was happy with their service, until I noticed no filter listed on the invoice. Since I want to get the filter changed, and I don't want to do it myself I have to decide whether to go back to the dealer, or to another shop.

I was told the same thing by our local Ford service manager. The funny thing is the transmission flush machines use the vehicle's own transmission pump to flush the fluid, so no reverse flushing.

Here's a link that explains the flush machine types, I've never seen anyone use the pump inlet machine but either way they use the vehicle transmission pump: http://www.gadgetonline.com/TransFlush.htm

Anyone used AAMCO for transmission service. I noticed one of their services is flush and filter replacement. wish I had thought of them initially.

Dana

I have a series of pictures posted that show step by step what I did in changing my transmission fluid.

The filter is clearly shown in the pictures.
The filter IS a fiber material on my 1996.

The factory original pan gasket IS reusable.....also shown in my pictures.
Compare your gasket to the one shown in my pictures, as the one on your vehicle "might" have been replaced by some unknowing repair person.

The flush service would NOT have included a "backflush of the filter" as that is not possible.
However, most likely, you got the story from the service write up person.....who does NOT actually work on vehicles.
An actual mechanic would know better.

The service manual does NOT list replacement of the transmission filter as a part of the fluid change.
Fluid change is to be AT LEAST every 30K miles (Mercon V now replaces the Mercon listed in your owner's manual), and the tranny filter is not even listed on the service schedule, so you will need to tell them....and make sure that they write it down if you want it done.
YES, I do recommend that it be done.....at least every other fluid change (gives the technician a chance to eyeball the pan for signs of trouble in the form of chucks, etc, as well as clean the magnet).

The transmission filter does not filter down to as fine of particles as the engine oil filter, so it will not clog up nearly so fast.


The dealer suggested retail price for the transmission filter is just over $30 (US).

I have a series of pictures posted that show step by step what I did in changing my transmission fluid.

The filter is clearly shown in the pictures.
The filter IS a fiber material on my 1996.

The factory original pan gasket IS reusable.....also shown in my pictures.
Compare your gasket to the one shown in my pictures, as the one on your vehicle "might" have been replaced by some unknowing repair person.

The flush service would NOT have included a "backflush of the filter" as that is not possible.
However, most likely, you got the story from the service write up person.....who does NOT actually work on vehicles.
An actual mechanic would know better.

The service manual does NOT list replacement of the transmission filter as a part of the fluid change.
Fluid change is to be AT LEAST every 30K miles (Mercon V now replaces the Mercon listed in your owner's manual), and the tranny filter is not even listed on the service schedule, so you will need to tell them....and make sure that they write it down if you want it done.
YES, I do recommend that it be done.....at least every other fluid change (gives the technician a chance to eyeball the pan for signs of trouble in the form of chucks, etc, as well as clean the magnet).

The transmission filter does not filter down to as fine of particles as the engine oil filter, so it will not clog up nearly so fast.


The dealer suggested retail price for the transmission filter is just over $30 (US).

I did tell the service rep I wanted the filter replaced but obviously he did not hear me, and I did not confirm he had written it down. I am going back in on Saturday to have them replace the filter... they will probably try to talk me out of it but I don't have the full service history for the WS so it is the prudent thing to do. I can understand if the transmission is serviced every 30K miles the filter might not be as much of a concern but does Ford really think the filter is good for 100K. That is just ignorant in my opinion. These transmissions seem fragile enough as it is. Our 1964 Dodge Dart had over 200K miles on it and still had the original automatic-push button tranny.

You mention the filter is not even in the maintenance schedule... I don't recall seeing the timing belt on the schedule either. I've been wondering about that. Anyway, this will be another 3 hours out of my Saturday and I am not happy about it.

On my 2001 its does not recommend filter change until over 100,000 miles. This is crazy so I did it myself..I still take it to the dealer every year for the fluid change. 156.00 bucks.. Also at this point I have over 100,000 + miles and my trans is starting to show signs of failing. My pump starting to go..

Good link to the ATF transfusion machines Lewis! The ones I've seen had the double acting cylinder. Old ATF pumps into one side & forces new ATF back into the pan thru the other side. Like wiswind says, it's amazing how little your average service writer actually knows or cares.

Joel

I don't recall seeing the timing belt on the schedule either. I've been wondering about that. Anyway, this will be another 3 hours out of my Saturday and I am not happy about it.

The windstar doesnt use a timing belt according to my repair manual , it has a double chain and should not need replacment for the life of the vehicle. But if it has to be replaced, then I think the engine would have to be removed because of the limited amount of space.

It is a chain, and it is major work to replace.
I have not seen any posts or TSB's concerning any failure of the timing chain, so I would not worry about it.

Back to the dealer for another Saturday morning. And yes, the service writer looked at me as if I might be slightly crazed when I said I wanted the filter replaced. He went into his spiel how most cars used screens instead of filters now. I told him I had looked up the part and that there was a filter. I don't care about "most" cars. I care about the car I am having serviced.

So they found the pan gasket was leaking. Maybe they should have found that when they did the tranny flush with at least a cursory glance at the pan. But this time it was found, a new gasket installed and the filter replaced, plus 6 quarts of one week old Mercon V replaced. Don't know if I accomplished anything with the flush and eventual filter replacement but I feel better all the same.

In a 20 mile test drive I did not feel the shudder at crusiing speed but it was not a definitive test, too short. The 200 rpm blip I had seen on my first long drive was gone, UNLESS, I turned the air control to VENT. (AC should not be on then) In the vent position the intermittent 200 rpm blip came back, and went away when I turned off all air. Puzzling

I did tell the service rep I wanted the filter replaced but obviously he did not hear me, and I did not confirm he had written it down. I am going back in on Saturday to have them replace the filter... they will probably try to talk me out of it but I don't have the full service history for the WS so it is the prudent thing to do. I can understand if the transmission is serviced every 30K miles the filter might not be as much of a concern but does Ford really think the filter is good for 100K. That is just ignorant in my opinion. These transmissions seem fragile enough as it is. Our 1964 Dodge Dart had over 200K miles on it and still had the original automatic-push button tranny.

You mention the filter is not even in the maintenance schedule... I don't recall seeing the timing belt on the schedule either. I've been wondering about that. Anyway, this will be another 3 hours out of my Saturday and I am not happy about it.

Here's a link that explains the flush machine types, I've never seen anyone use the pump inlet machine but either way they use the vehicle transmission pump: http://www.gadgetonline.com/TransFlush.htm
Has anybody tried to do such flush (with pan-drop) by himself, not using the machine which will pump new ATF? Is it possible to do it? Or does it use transmission pump, and you just supply oil?

You should be able to find a bunch of past posts on doing the flush via the transmission cooler lines.