Changing AU auto transmission fluid

[debbles62]

Hi anyone who could help me out as to where I might find the stick to check the auto transmission fluid in a Ford AU please.

[The Monty]

There is no stick , they stopped putting them in a while ago. You have to get under the car, and undo the bolt on the side, and stick your finger in, if you can feel fluid, its ok, if you cant you need to add some.

[debbles62]

If it needs oil how do I add it, through the same hole?
Thanks heaps for your help, had an XF not used to these new cars

[EvilChief]

yep same hohle is the oil filler, its a 16mm head and to get to due to exhaust.

[Mechan1k]

Moved to correct section.

[bloggs24]

i lost about half a cup of fluid putting my trans cooler in + watever the extra capacity the trans cooler has, is it important to put the same brand oil in because i wouldnt have a clue what it is. or would i be best to just pay for a trans service?

[sly]

Probably not that important, as a service doesn't fully change the oil anyway. If you want to completely change the oil you need a transmission flush.

[bloggs24]

i gave a transmission place in dubbo a call, and asked to book a transmission service, he wants $140. For that price he mentioned either cleaning the filter or replacing the filter, something about bearings. i will go in and find out what else it includes because that sounds a little pricey, what do you guys think?

[The Monty]

Thats quite a good price. You will need a full flush aswell.

[bloggs24]

thnx The Monty, i was under the impression that 140 was expensive, i read or heard somewhere the price should be around 60, lol maybe it was 60 for a diy kit? Ill make sure that the full flush is included, im sure all this will do the trans well as the car has 145000 k's on it and i doubt whether or not its had the trans serviced before.

[Chamelion]

Full flush will likely be about $100 more.

Matt.

[bloggs24]

Ok, just got the car back, apparantely the oil was extremely black and dirty so he did a full flush, all in all came to $200 for the service, just like i thought he said the car doesnt look like its ever had the trans serviced before. Im very happy with it.

[The Monty]

$200 with a flush is awesome. Try and service it every 30-40 000 if you can, or once a year.

[FG Brake]

Come in spinner once they have your car on the hoist!!

[MrEL]

Originally Posted by John J Gray

Come in spinner once they have your car on the hoist!!

Very constructive input there.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by John J Gray

Come in spinner once they have your car on the hoist!!

I'd say that after 4 years they've worked it out.....nice thread mine

[4ford]

I am toiling under the impression that the factory transmission filter is noticeably different to any aftermarket filters, made of different stuff I think, but anyway the workshop should be able to definitively tell you whether the filter is original or not.
And since the filter would have been changed had it undergone any type of service in it's life, you can tell whether the trans has EVER been serviced since new.

Cheers

[TRAU BLAU]

My AU has done over 160k.The trans.fluid had a strong burnt smell when I checked the level.Does this mean that it needs a change?Is it possible to pump the fluid in with a plastic bottle or best to get the service done?

[mik]

sounds like your auto has seen a long time between drinks Denny, definitely sounds like it needs tlc, its up to you mate , it can be done at home if your keen, its a pain in kyber though, and yes you could use the plastic bottles with the fill hose, it can be quite a messy job, and if your not equipped for it with stands and a decent jack to get the car off the ground safely and a few basic tools sockets set etc, i would think twice about doing it mate, handing over a couple of hundred to drive it in and out job done is a nice way to do an auto service, i think there are threads on servicing your auto , if you want to have a go use the search function top of the page for servicing btr or auto service.

[ronwest]

Here you go Denny.... piece of cake ;)

http://www.fordforums.com.au/vbporta...articleid=1210

[redxm]

Last service i had done was $130. I get it done every 20-25 k.

[GK]

Originally Posted by redxm

Last service i had done was $130. I get it done every 20-25 k.

That's a good price. My guy charges approx $150 for a service and double that for a full flush.

As a side note - I just called my trans guys asking about a service for the 09 Mondeo. Wait for it!

$400 for a service and lots more for a full flush.

Oil has to be purchased from Ford and is approx $35 per litre. Filter is $50 on its own!

I'm thankful the Falcon tranny is much cheaper to service.

GK

[frd906]

Depends on the kms on your car but i used to do mine every 10 000 kms on my Au with a oil cooler, just a peace of mind, speacialy when doing towing and a lot of driving

[TRAU BLAU]

To Russelw/ronwest/Mik,thanks for replying to my changing auto fluid.Using the hose looks great & I can put it in ok I think but my AU Wag.hasn't got a separate oil cooler rad.pipe.I was wondering if it's poss.to drain pan then start up & go thru.the gears.Would that pump out more fluid?

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Denny

AU Wag.hasn't got a separate oil cooler rad.pipe

You're very likely to damage the auto if you run it out of fluid. Just a simple pan fluid change + filter would be better than nothing.

The "separate oil cooler rad. pipe" is only a modified original radiator pipe - the oil cooler bypasses the radiator but uses the rad hoses.

From memory it had a male thread on it for which you will be able to find a female fitting with a barb to suit - something like this
http://tinyurl.com/kq3khuc\

(that's only to show the type of fitting you're looking for. You'll need the right size for the thread size/type and then connect your hose to the barb).

[TRAU BLAU]

G'day ronwest,thanks for reply.I'm getting the gasket,filter & fluid & will give it a go next week using the pit I've dug.You think it would do much damage or pump much fluid out in a min or 2.I s'pose improvement wouldn't be noticable unless given full-flush.Would new garden-hose be ok?

[ronwest]

Just changing the pan fluid and filter will be an improvement. I don't know if it will be enough of an improvement.
Garden hose will be fine, provided you don't kink it.

Have you considered getting it done professionally?

[TRAU BLAU]

Originally Posted by ronwest

Just changing the pan fluid and filter will be an improvement. I don't know if it will be enough of an improvement.
Garden hose will be fine, provided you don't kink it.

Have you considered getting it done professionally?

Yes,they want $210 for the service here in Cairns,which probably isn't a full-flush.I'll see what the parts cost next week & call the auto specialists & see what they say will be done for $210.Then weigh it all up.Altho.it is a good feeling to do the job yourself.Like I fixed the cam-bolt leak & oil-switch thru the info that I got from youse fellas notes.

[FGII-XR6]

big difference between fixing a leak and doing a proper transmission service , I doubt you would have the skills or equipment to do the job properly and doing a half job is just throwing good money after bad.
the BTR aren't a bad transmission but good maintenance is essential of they won't last.
that having been said as I mentioned earlier the burnt smell probably spells the beginning of the end, the best you could hope for is a bit of an extension of it's life with a proper service. the burnt smell is from the friction materials slipping, if it is the bands slipping a good service may take the slack up and get you a bit of extra life

Originally Posted by Denny

Yes,they want $210 for the service here in Cairns,which probably isn't a full-flush.I'll see what the parts cost next week & call the auto specialists & see what they say will be done for $210.Then weigh it all up.Altho.it is a good feeling to do the job yourself.Like I fixed the cam-bolt leak & oil-switch thru the info that I got from youse fellas notes.

[TRAU BLAU]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

big difference between fixing a leak and doing a proper transmission service , I doubt you would have the skills or equipment to do the job properly and doing a half job is just throwing good money after bad.
the BTR aren't a bad transmission but good maintenance is essential of they won't last.
that having been said as I mentioned earlier the burnt smell probably spells the beginning of the end, the best you could hope for is a bit of an extension of it's life with a proper service. the burnt smell is from the friction materials slipping, if it is the bands slipping a good service may take the slack up and get you a bit of extra life

I got an email back from the trans specialists & it read,"bands are shim-set on manufacture & are not adjustable & a full-flush is extra".How much extra on top of the $210 they did not say!As far as I can see it should be a simple job to just drop the pan,change filter,0-ring & gasket & fill it up to level.Better than nothing & poss.do it again in 6 months.