FullSizeBronco.com - 78 - 96 Ford Bronco offroad club, forums, tech, installs

shawn1648 · 11-03-2009, 06:00 PM

Is it possible that the trans fluid could need to be changed after only 10,000 miles (8 months) since the it had a full flush (a lot of the 10,000 miles was towing a bass boat)? I was thinknig that since the flush was done at 73,000 miles that it could need to be changed (not full flush) because of all the junk that got knocked loose or because of the towing. Does the TC fluid get flushed/changed when a shop hooks up that machine to do the full trans flush? Maybe they never touched that fluid. I've never been inside the trans so I'm just thinking outloud.

Could the fluid get contaminated from a dying/dead radiator/water pump or anything else? During a recent new radiator installation, I noticed the trans fluid that leaked when I unhooked the trans line looked like it does in the bottle, it did not look brownish or smell odd. I did notice however that the fluid on the trans dipstick seemed to have air bubbles in it.

justin · 11-03-2009, 07:44 PM

Yes, anything is possible. If you are concerned, change the fluid out and make sure to drain the TC. If you are towing often, you trans will definitely thank you to install a big trans cooler and an external filter if you are so inclined.

http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...d.php?t=130945
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...mission+cooler

I try to change my trans fluid yearly as part of my regular maintenance. E4ODs are EXPENSIVE to have rebuilt.

shawn1648 · 11-03-2009, 08:35 PM

Great write up in that link!

shawn1648 · 11-04-2009, 05:12 PM

When I checked the trans fluid today after a 20 minute drive, the dipstick was full of air bubbles and WAY over the crosshairs. I searched and found that this could mean low fluid or too much fluid. I have not touched the trans fluid since the flush except for adding a bottle of lucas trans fix last week b/c of a shudder. The bottle stated that you do not have to drain any fluid before adding it. What's everyone's take on the bubbles? It's not one or two bubbles, the whole end of the dipstick is air bubbles.

Wildjon · 11-04-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn1648

What's everyone's take on the bubbles?.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn1648

except for adding a bottle of lucas trans fix last week b/c of a shudder.

Lookie there, you answered your own question.

The lucas stuff is nothing but snake oil...

tpreston · 11-04-2009, 05:56 PM

Probably at least a quart overfilled due to the Lucas. Overfilling can cause bubbles.

**SigEpBlue** · 11-04-2009, 06:01 PM

And foaming the fluid will make you burn the transmission even faster, since air, not oil, is there to lubricate the bearings and gears.

**Shane C.** · 11-04-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildjon

The lucas stuff is nothing but snake oil...

I gotta disagree with that. Although it is not a true fix, I have used the lucas trans additive in the past and had great results... I dont recommend people run out and use it at the first sign of trans problems, but if someone knows its only a short matter of time before their trans bites the bullet, it can help extend that time significantly.

shawn1648 · 11-04-2009, 06:16 PM

I put it in b/c there was a shudder. So I guess its safe to say that the air bubbles are not causing the shudder, since the lucas oil caused the bubbles. Unless it was low before I used the lucas oil and now its too full...although would that much of a difference cause an issue. We'll find out tomorrow when I change the tranny fluid. Should I pull the trans line at the bottom of the radiator to get even more out?

**Shadofax** · 11-04-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn1648

I put it in b/c there was a shudder. So I guess its safe to say that the air bubbles are not causing the shudder, since the lucas oil caused the bubbles. Unless it was low before I used the lucas oil and now its too full...although would that much of a difference cause an issue. We'll find out tomorrow when I change the tranny fluid. Should I pull the trans line at the bottom of the radiator to get even more out?

Do you have one of those new pans with a drain plug, or interested in drilling your current one for a drain plug? I'd do this, and then not worry about the radiator. Drain it, maybe go ahead and get a new filter and clean the magnet real good and put it all back, and use a good brand name tranny fluid and no more additives. Try it out. When refilling, unless you drain the TC you're only going to get about 7 qts out, that's about what I get every time I do mine. I'd go ahead and drain the TC to get stuff out though. And then with refilling, only get it just into the crosshatch area once it's fully warmed and has been driven (get it close to the crosshatch, then drive, as it warms more with driving, the fluid level will rise, so don't overfill).

shawn1648 · 11-04-2009, 10:13 PM

I'm going to drop the pan tomorrow, drain the fluid and drain the TC, and change the filter. I'll refill with Mercon.

I am a little confused on how to get the TC drain plug to line up with the access hole.

**Shadofax** · 11-04-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn1648

I'm going to drop the pan tomorrow, drain the fluid and drain the TC, and change the filter. I'll refill with Mercon.

I am a little confused on how to get the TC drain plug to line up with the access hole.

Well, unless you have one of those hand held bump starts to turn over the motor, you'd have to crank the motor (disconnect coil wire so no start, just crank) and that's just a lucky crap shoot until it aligns.

shawn1648 · 11-04-2009, 10:52 PM

dang, thats going to take FOREVER!

**jmorriss** · 11-04-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn1648

dang, thats going to take FOREVER!

That or put a ratchet on the crank pulley...

justin · 11-04-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmorriss

That or put a ratchet on the crank pulley...

....takes only a minute or two.

11-03-2009, 06:00 PM	#1
shawn1648 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 107 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 1992 FSB 5.8L shawn1648s Garage	Question about trans fluid longevity and contamination Is it possible that the trans fluid could need to be changed after only 10,000 miles (8 months) since the it had a full flush (a lot of the 10,000 miles was towing a bass boat)? I was thinknig that since the flush was done at 73,000 miles that it could need to be changed (not full flush) because of all the junk that got knocked loose or because of the towing. Does the TC fluid get flushed/changed when a shop hooks up that machine to do the full trans flush? Maybe they never touched that fluid. I've never been inside the trans so I'm just thinking outloud. Could the fluid get contaminated from a dying/dead radiator/water pump or anything else? During a recent new radiator installation, I noticed the trans fluid that leaked when I unhooked the trans line looked like it does in the bottle, it did not look brownish or smell odd. I did notice however that the fluid on the trans dipstick seemed to have air bubbles in it.

11-04-2009, 05:12 PM	#4
shawn1648 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 107 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 1992 FSB 5.8L shawn1648s Garage	air bubbles When I checked the trans fluid today after a 20 minute drive, the dipstick was full of air bubbles and WAY over the crosshairs. I searched and found that this could mean low fluid or too much fluid. I have not touched the trans fluid since the flush except for adding a bottle of lucas trans fix last week b/c of a shudder. The bottle stated that you do not have to drain any fluid before adding it. What's everyone's take on the bubbles? It's not one or two bubbles, the whole end of the dipstick is air bubbles.

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Question about trans fluid longevity and contamination

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11-03-2009, 08:35 PM	#3
shawn1648 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 107 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 1992 FSB 5.8L shawn1648s Garage	Great write up in that link!

11-04-2009, 05:56 PM	#6
tpreston Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southeast KS Posts: 5 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 95 XL, 5.0 E40D, 33" TSL Radials on white 15x10s tprestons Garage	Probably at least a quart overfilled due to the Lucas. Overfilling can cause bubbles.

11-04-2009, 06:16 PM	#9
shawn1648 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 107 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 1992 FSB 5.8L shawn1648s Garage	I put it in b/c there was a shudder. So I guess its safe to say that the air bubbles are not causing the shudder, since the lucas oil caused the bubbles. Unless it was low before I used the lucas oil and now its too full...although would that much of a difference cause an issue. We'll find out tomorrow when I change the tranny fluid. Should I pull the trans line at the bottom of the radiator to get even more out?

11-04-2009, 10:13 PM	#11
shawn1648 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 107 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 1992 FSB 5.8L shawn1648s Garage	I'm going to drop the pan tomorrow, drain the fluid and drain the TC, and change the filter. I'll refill with Mercon. I am a little confused on how to get the TC drain plug to line up with the access hole.

11-04-2009, 10:52 PM	#13
shawn1648 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 107 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 1992 FSB 5.8L shawn1648s Garage	dang, thats going to take FOREVER!