Ford Taraus trans. oil change ? HELP

[RazBarlow]

I have changed my own engine oil for years but have never done my own transmission oil change. Would it be that hard on this vehicle ? What all do I need ?
What type of atf do you recommend ?
Thanks,
Raz

[SVOboy]

It shouldn't be too hard, I'd just read up on the procedure in a shop manual and make sure to follow it...

I don't know what kind of ATF you would need, last time I did an auto oil change I just used honda stuff, :p

[RazBarlow]

Do you usually just pull the pan off ? I haven't noticed a drain plug.
Thanks,
raz

[SVOboy]

On the 2004 civic I did there was a drain plug somewhere...I suggest looking at a manual or having someone in the know tell you how to drain it.

[bowtieguy]

if you don't have a repair manual, get one($15-20)! IF your ford is like my domestic(olds). besides the right size socket and wrench, a torque wrench would be great. get a catch pan of course and newspaper to catch spillage after dropping the pan.

my filter twists(turns) and pops right out. you may need a seal puller to get the seal out. or, VERY carefully pry it out w/ a screw driver. i coat my new seal w/ tranny fluid to help insert it, then tap gently w/ a rubber mallet.

go w/ amsoil ATF--best lube plus drops temp 75 degrees. i do not recommed flushing the tranny. contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary and could cause damage.

please, get the manual(haynes from auto zone for example) first to help w/ the little quirkes of your particular vehicle. best wishes in your new endeavor!

[bowtieguy]

It shouldn't be too hard, I'd just read up on the procedure in a shop manual and make sure to follow it...

I don't know what kind of ATF you would need, last time I did an auto oil change I just used honda stuff, :p

good thing 'cause i think honda can ONLY take honda ATF(will not accept even amsoil).

[bowtieguy]

Do you usually just pull the pan off ? I haven't noticed a drain plug.
Thanks,
raz

pretty sure you gotta pull the pan. theclencher might be able to help you(ford guy).

[SVOboy]

Yeah, I was doing the 30k for my friend and he's all finicky so I just used all honda stuff to keep him happy...he still saved 300 bucks though, :p

Never knew honda was exclusive like that though.

[2000mc]

i wouldnt expect it to be unusually hard to do. most likely youre going to have to drop the whole pan. i usually use razors to clean the surfaces, be careful not to gouge the surfaces though. find the torque spec, inch-lb torque wrench, and torque the bolts if you dont like leaks. theres new transmission fluids out, i dont know if they help as much as synthetics. dextron/mercon III is the old stuff now. dextron/mercon IV is new but they typicly just says something like atf for ford/gm automatic transmissions on the bottle. the thing is many places may have both.

[MnFocus]

Raz try this procedure from v8SHO.com (http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/atxfluid.html)an AX4N is all the same with a few tweaks . I did the same with my '99 . Use OEM fluid in it , or Amsoil ATF . just sayin.

[jeffreymccoy]

I just did my Ford, didn't drop the pan (as that only gets about 1/3 of it). I used the pump out method. Basically disconnect the quick connect line return line from the radiator (at least that is where mine was - just find a convenient place). Attach a bit of clear tubing to it and run that to the catch container. Start the engine, pump out 2-4 quarts (when you see air bubbles stop). Put the same amount of new fluid back in through the dip stick tube. Repeat process 3-4 times until you see new fluid being pumped out. If you always put in what you take out, you'll be pretty close to the right level. Reconnect the line where you tapped into it, check the levels and top off as necessary. All done, little mess. Ive seen a couple of posts about this method elsewhere. Google it for more detailed directions if you need/want to pursue this route.

[ELF]

Get a oil pump or oil extractor, so you can just pump it out dip stick hole. Thats what I did on my sable. which has the same tranny. You can get about 4 quarts out at a time this way, replace with mobil 1 or scamzoil synthetic. Those trannys are hard on oil they get too hot and cook it. the syn will hold up much better.

[Rstb88]

Your model year Taurus should have a drain plug. The Taurus tranny get extremely hot so do not get it to running temperature before you change it or else it will scold you. I used Mobile 1 in my 1992 Taurus and it ran better than before, except that after that I burned up the clutch.

[smay665949]

If you don't have a drain plug you will have to drop the pan so have a big pan to catch the mess. If there is a flat spot on the pan you can purchase an aftermarket drain plug from one of the performance outfits. You will be happy you did next time you go to change the oil. Be sure to use a torque wrench on your pan bolts on reinstallation, it will greatly reduce your chance of having a leak.