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Basic Tranny Question
- Thread starter nick1906
- Start date
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paulownian
Guest
Tranny Flush
I am not a professional by any means, but I have read in other vehicle manuals (Subaru, for example), that a flush is something to think about at the 60,000 mile mark. I would assume that would apply to other vehicles, as well. I see nothing wrong with flushing early and often, though. I flushed out my Subaru Impreza sedan at the 25K, the 50K and the 75K mile marks. I now have 83K on it and it still runs great. BTW, at the 50K flush they found a small amount of metal shavings in the filter (which I have changed everytime). I suppose it is like oil - even though the new oils last longer today, I still change mine at the 3K mile mark. I guess it is up to the owner to decide.
I am not a professional by any means, but I have read in other vehicle manuals (Subaru, for example), that a flush is something to think about at the 60,000 mile mark. I would assume that would apply to other vehicles, as well. I see nothing wrong with flushing early and often, though. I flushed out my Subaru Impreza sedan at the 25K, the 50K and the 75K mile marks. I now have 83K on it and it still runs great. BTW, at the 50K flush they found a small amount of metal shavings in the filter (which I have changed everytime). I suppose it is like oil - even though the new oils last longer today, I still change mine at the 3K mile mark. I guess it is up to the owner to decide.
Jim Henderson
Dedicated LVC Member
The LS tranny is SUPPOSED to be a lifetime sealed tranny. Or at least 100K miles I think I read somewhere.
Unfortunately many of us, including me have had problems with the tranny. there is or was a TSB and a "customer Satisfaction" Program to address early failures and harsh shifting issues with the tranny.
I bought my 2004 LS V8 at about 14,000 miles It had a few weird stumbles in shifting when I got it which I assumed were just computer glitches whjere the tranny wasn't sure what to do. The problems got worse and eventually the tranny occasionally shifted so hard I thought I had been rear ended by another vehicle. Long story short, took it to the dealer for the "Customer Satisfaction" program and they did a mini rebuild on the tranny and replaced the solenoids and Valve body, if I recall. The fluid showed evidence of overheating.
Unfortunately these trannies have no easy way to isnpect the fluid nor to even change it easily. The manual says something lame like service the tranny when it starts to act strangely or sets a service light.
Most tranny shops I have talked to recommend a 12K fluid change for almost all trannies. Some will go to 30K for normal service.
It seems that the consensus of this group is to do the fluid flush at the dealer. Dropping the pan and refilling sounds like a real PITA since there is no easy way to refill.
Just my wild guess gut feeling is that we should service the tranny at least every 30K miles. It is probably cheap insurance in comparison to a rebuild and in light of the track record of this model tranny. I would also probably recommend doing it at the dealer so that there is a record of doing the service in case in the future the tranny fails prematurely. I hear the dealer flush is not much more expensive than outside shops.
Also if you are experiencing harsh shifting, delayed shifts or any other tranny oddities, I would recommend calling the Lincoln support line and seeing if the various programs are still available to address the problem. My 2004 was serviced absolutely free and included a free rental.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Unfortunately many of us, including me have had problems with the tranny. there is or was a TSB and a "customer Satisfaction" Program to address early failures and harsh shifting issues with the tranny.
I bought my 2004 LS V8 at about 14,000 miles It had a few weird stumbles in shifting when I got it which I assumed were just computer glitches whjere the tranny wasn't sure what to do. The problems got worse and eventually the tranny occasionally shifted so hard I thought I had been rear ended by another vehicle. Long story short, took it to the dealer for the "Customer Satisfaction" program and they did a mini rebuild on the tranny and replaced the solenoids and Valve body, if I recall. The fluid showed evidence of overheating.
Unfortunately these trannies have no easy way to isnpect the fluid nor to even change it easily. The manual says something lame like service the tranny when it starts to act strangely or sets a service light.
Most tranny shops I have talked to recommend a 12K fluid change for almost all trannies. Some will go to 30K for normal service.
It seems that the consensus of this group is to do the fluid flush at the dealer. Dropping the pan and refilling sounds like a real PITA since there is no easy way to refill.
Just my wild guess gut feeling is that we should service the tranny at least every 30K miles. It is probably cheap insurance in comparison to a rebuild and in light of the track record of this model tranny. I would also probably recommend doing it at the dealer so that there is a record of doing the service in case in the future the tranny fails prematurely. I hear the dealer flush is not much more expensive than outside shops.
Also if you are experiencing harsh shifting, delayed shifts or any other tranny oddities, I would recommend calling the Lincoln support line and seeing if the various programs are still available to address the problem. My 2004 was serviced absolutely free and included a free rental.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
LincolnTech38
Well-Known LVC Member
"sealed for life" is what ford says. I say thats BS, even though I have seen some very high mileage LSs with no tranny problems, It wont hurt to change it.
only the dealer can fill the trans properly. Take it in ask them to change the filter and the fluid, Off hand I dont know if there is a drain plug on the Torque converter, ford stopped putting them in awhile ago. You can ask them to check.
only the dealer can fill the trans properly. Take it in ask them to change the filter and the fluid, Off hand I dont know if there is a drain plug on the Torque converter, ford stopped putting them in awhile ago. You can ask them to check.
LincolnTech38
Well-Known LVC Member
here is some basic information on mercon V properties.
http://www.txchange.com/merconv.htm
I would recomend you only use Motorcraft Mercon V if you plan to service your tranny.
Jay
http://www.txchange.com/merconv.htm
I would recomend you only use Motorcraft Mercon V if you plan to service your tranny.
Jay
2001LS8Sport
Dedicated LVC Member
LincolnTech38 said:here is some basic information on mercon V properties.
http://www.txchange.com/merconv.htm
I would recomend you only use Motorcraft Mercon V if you plan to service your tranny.
Jay
I agree!!
My wife just tried to get her Aviator tranny serviced at the dealer....and it has 36.000 on it. They talked her out of it saying it doesn't need it. I'm just going to do it myself.