Should I change the transmission fluid with 216k miles...

[jermcd]

I bought this truck used with 210k miles in Oct. Its a one owner and seams to be very well taken care of. With out knowing the true history, is it safe to replace the transmission fluid? Ive heard stories about high mileage transmission service then the transmission failing because gunk that was on the pan dislodges and plugs up the screens. Thanks.

[JJR]

Drop the pan clean it and replace fluid. New fluid is never bad. The stories were a tranny goes bad after a change just means it should have been changed more often and the damage was already done. Tranny issues would have happened at that point regardless of change or not. Alot of times people start having tranny glitches think about the fluid, see it looks like crap, change it, then have a failure and blame it on the flush instead of their lack of maintenance.

[cbubac]

replacing fluid is a great thing, flushing via a machine is a bad thing. I almost flushed mine until I looked around here. My truck had 108K on it when I got it and I didn't know the last scheduled service, my school of thought has been every 50K flush but this is my first big boy truck so im just gonna change fluid every year regardless of miles. I think its a small price for hopefully 300K of service.

[Jleof250]

I just did replace my 324000 miles and I do think you should change the filter, take a look at the magnet for any bad residues, clean everything well and new fluid.

[powerstrokeone]

On a poorly maintained high mileage transmission, the friction material ends up in the fluid, no longer on the friction plates. When you drain that fluid, you drain the friction material. If your fluid is dark, roll the dice and take your chances. I or any other transmission mechanic will be happy to rebuild it for you. Failure after a service is ALWAYS due to lack of maintenance. A fluid exchanger never killed a tranny. Poor maintenance did. Filter should be changed every other exchange. I don't care what Ford says. They only have to get it out of warranty. Don't use flush chemicals. BTW- exchange machines are the only way to change the fluid in the torque converter. It contains nearly half of your old contaminated fluid. Would you ever do half an oil change?

[Jleof250]

If you do not have a plug on you converter you can fallow the link below to get all fluids out. Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 transmission .: Articles

[powerstrokeone]

Originally Posted by Jleof250

If you do not have a plug on you converter you can fallow the link below to get all fluids out. Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 transmission .: Articles

An exchange machine will ruin your transmission, but running the t/c and transmission dry to change it is ok? Not on my transmission! Please, someone tell me that's the best way to get all the old oil out of my motor. A link to that procedure would be great, also.