Easy way to change fluid

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mark95man
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Easy way to change fluid

Post by mark95man »

I recently changed the transmission fluid in my 07 Town Car and found a better way to drop the pan. There's an easier way to avoid the "mess". Disconnect one cooling line before the transmission cooler. Place that line into a one gallon milk jug--you might have to extend that line to reach. Run the engine for several seconds until the jug is almost full. At this point when you remove the transmission pan, it will almost be empty. This can apply to all makes and models of cars with automatic transmission with any sort of external cooler that lacks a drain plug. It would have been great to find this out decades ago!
Milsteads Garage
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Re: Easy way to change fluid

Post by Milsteads Garage »

I mean you can do it this way but it really isn't good for it because even a short time running dry will damage the pumps and any brass bushings that are in the transmission. Once the fluid stops coming out strong, stop the engine immediately.

There are also specialty tools known as fluid evacuators that run on compressed air and will suck out fluid through the dipstick tube. This is the method we use at the city garage to do transmission services on cars, light and medium duty trucks. Also cuts down on the mess big time. Here is an example of one that I use: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 0942277000

If you get a transmission fluid exchange from a big box repair shop, it runs on the same principal except the machine pushes in new fluid through the opposite line that the old fluid is coming out of.
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mark95man
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Re: Easy way to change fluid

Post by mark95man »

The key to my suggestion was: "Run the engine for several seconds until the jug is almost full." That way there'll be "some" transmission fluid remaining in the pan as it wouldn't be running dry. The endless list of tools/equipment to purchase can fill up one's garage. My suggestion works for me but it was not suggested to allow the transmission to run dry.
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Dan Szwarc
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Re: Easy way to change fluid

Post by Dan Szwarc »

Somewhat risky. Once the pan is dropped, install a drain bung and plug.
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Suicidekid63
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Re: Easy way to change fluid

Post by Suicidekid63 »

Dan Szwarc wrote:Somewhat risky. Once the pan is dropped, install a drain bung and plug.
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mark95man
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Re: Easy way to change fluid

Post by mark95man »

If YOU think it's risky, then don't do it. As I stated--you're only doing this process for several seconds--not enough time for any coating of fluid to be removed. Someone is thinking I mean minutes, while I am talking well under 09 seconds.
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