Where is transmission outlet pipe on a AU

[bennyboy54]

Can anyone please tell me where the transmission outlet pipe is on a 6 cylinder auto gearbox for a tranny flush.My local mechanic went to do a tranny flush yesterday and disconnected the top pipe and started the motor but couldn't get the fluid to pump out.He suggested it may have a faulty pump but the gears shift perfectly.Did he disconnect the right one and if so why wouldn't any fluid pump out.I rang a gearbox specialist and they said if it had a faulty pump the gearbox would not shift properly.At the moment my local mechanic just put the pipe back in and car is working fine.Should I get a gearbox place to do a service,car has done 140000 k's and is a 2001 XR6.

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by bennyboy54

Should I get a gearbox place to do a service

Yes
Also I wouldn't do a flush. A passive change is fine for a BTR. Just drop the pan, change the filter and fill her back up again. Should only be about 4L of 95LE.

[Jarry]

Originally Posted by bennyboy54

Can anyone please tell me where the transmission outlet pipe is on a 6 cylinder auto gearbox for a tranny flush.My local mechanic went to do a tranny flush yesterday and disconnected the top pipe and started the motor but couldn't get the fluid to pump out.

Hi bennyboy54,

Sounds like your mechanic disconnected the wrong hose! I've made the same mistake before.

The trans oil flows opposite to the coolant. Check the last post of this thread...
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11426740

I agree with Mr Hardware, you should notice a significant improvement with shift feel will just a standard oil change. Factory fill is Castrol TQ95.

There's risk of having a slipping trans after doing a flush on a high mile transmission. Apparently the old fluid helps worn clutch packs hook up better than slippery new fluid!

[gregaust]

Either pipe disconnected will show flow , either from the pipe of from the radiator .

Now trace the like from the front of the trans is the pressure side , rear line is return

What is the oil like . If it is red or reddish there is no need for a flush , a filter change and fresh oil if fine

[Spurious]

Originally Posted by gregaust

Either pipe disconnected will show flow , either from the pipe of from the radiator .

Now trace the like from the front of the trans is the pressure side , rear line is return

What is the oil like . If it is red or reddish there is no need for a flush , a filter change and fresh oil if fine

Correct on all accounts. Removing the top line from the radiator will see fluid dribble all over the place!

Best advice, find new mechanic.

At a minimum: drop the pan off, do this by first removing the rear bolts altogether, then loosen the sides, then the front. Leave the front ones in but loose, as you remove the side bolts. This allows the pan to drop at the rear & drain out the fluid.
Once most of the fluid has emptied, continue to slowly remove the front bolts, the rest of the pan fluid will dribble out as the pan drops.

If the fluid is red & smells like tranny fluid, just change the O ring (inside the filter inlet pipe), filter & pan seal, then fill up with new fluid.
If the fluid is black & smells burnt & horrid, flush the lot.

Also keep in mind, more fluid will dribble out when you remove the old filter.

Minor fluid & filter change every 15 to 18 months is a good rule, every second or 3'rd flush you can do a full fluid flush.
Consider that when you drop the pan, you're removing about 3.5 to 4 litres, BUT theres at least another 10 to 12 litres in the pipes, tranny components & mainly in the torque converter.

[Spurious]

Originally Posted by Jarry

Hi bennyboy54,

Sounds like your mechanic disconnected the wrong hose! I've made the same mistake before.

The trans oil flows opposite to the coolant. Check the last post of this thread...
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11426740

I agree with Mr Hardware, you should notice a significant improvement with shift feel will just a standard oil change. Factory fill is Castrol TQ95.

There's risk of having a slipping trans after doing a flush on a high mile transmission. Apparently the old fluid helps worn clutch packs hook up better than slippery new fluid!

I agree with my advice too!
& yes Myself & my mechanic didn't know which pipe was the pressurized one (on the radiator), removal of the top pipe yielded only a small dribble, even with the engine running!

FYI, my AU2 has done 317,000 k's & removal of the completely burnt & cooked old oil (at roughly 315,000), & a full flush with new fluid, made no difference at all. At least I know it's been done!

Each tranny is different depending on the life it's had I guess.

[Jarry]

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

I agree with my advice too! .

Love it!

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

Minor fluid & filter change every 15 to 18 months is a good rule, every second or 3'rd flush you can do a full fluid flush.
Consider that when you drop the pan, you're removing about 3.5 to 4 litres, BUT theres at least another 10 to 12 litres in the pipes, tranny components & mainly in the torque converter.

I'm in serious trouble then, our wagon is at 390k and the trans has never been touched beyond me adding about half a litre last year when it was taking too long to go into reverse, and it's still going strong.
I would agree that a filter change every 100k or so would be prudent but every 15-18 months? Seems a bit of overkill to me.

[Jarry]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

I'm in serious trouble then, our wagon is at 390k and the trans has never been touched beyond me adding about half a litre last year when it was taking too long to go into reverse, and it's still going strong.
I would agree that a filter change every 100k or so would be prudent but every 15-18 months? Seems a bit of overkill to me.

390,000kms is a great service life! Especially if you've owned the car from new and know the trans has never been serviced or reco'd. Taxi drivers I've spoken to expect to get about 300-odd before needing to exchange, and they typically run an external cooler, so you're doing well!

My local trans shop advised me to service the trans every 2 years or 20,000kms. Gregory's says do it every 50,000 for severe duty, which i guess would be city driving or "enthusiastic" use.

I just do it every year. Overkill or not, my preference is to change fluids annually, rather than running the gauntlet on maybe needing to reco the gearbox at some stage, the timing of which would be beyond my control.

[bennyboy54]

Thanks for the advice guys.I have booked it into a auto specialist near me this Tuesday for a service.I explained what had happened from my mechanic and they suggested they would drop the pan and new filter and service should be ok.Again thanks for all the advice to everyone.

[Mr Hardware]

Yeah we used to get 3XXK, sometimes very low 400s out of a box in the AU's, cooler or no cooler. Us and the trans specialist who used to rebuild our boxes and have them last for the rest of the life of the car said 40k. I think 40k is a good compromise.
Bushy a failing reverse was our usual indicator of a failing box. Usually they gave up within about 35k of that.
Did hear of an EL mont that did the mil on original box and donk though, a semi-limo that did almost pure highway, and serviced at a dealership its entire life.

[Jarry]

Great post Mr. Hardware!

[Spurious]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

I'm in serious trouble then, our wagon is at 390k and the trans has never been touched beyond me adding about half a litre last year when it was taking too long to go into reverse, and it's still going strong.
I would agree that a filter change every 100k or so would be prudent but every 15-18 months? Seems a bit of overkill to me.

FYI: prior to the full flush on my tranny mid' last year, it had been given a minor service about 19 months prior (just a pan drain & new filter etc).

Prior to THAT minor service, which was the fist time I'd touched the tranny since buying the car, I'd already had it for about 18 months at that time.

So...I drove it everyday for virtually 4 years, with one minor service in the middle, & when the full flush WAS done, the fluid was BLACK....& stunk!!!

So I reckon a filter change & pan drain once every 12 to 15 months is wise, & a FULL flush at least every 2.5 to 3 years is a smart move!

I would do this for the same reason why I change my engine oil about every 3 to 4 thousand K's, keep it fresh instead of letting it clock up 10,000k's & allowing it to turn black & die!!!
Just 'cause you can, doesn't mean you should.