ATF change

[missionary]

Hello,  I am a trained and very experienced diesel and hydraulic equipment engineer, so quite familiar with most car mechanics.

I have had 2 auto box cars in the past and now bought a Fusion with 1.6 petrol with TC transmission. Although 155k miles, its a one owner car with a service book fully stamped up-to-date with all work done by the local Ford main agent. No expense has been spared, so subsequently it looks great and all seems well. It has lived out in the countryside with regular 30 mile trips to London down a motorway.

To me the ATF appears to look and smell like a 'working' hydraulic oil. Its does not smell burnt at all, nor is it perfumed like a new oil. Its not discoloured but has lost a pure pink colour, though still discernably of a red/pink base. The transmission works well even on hill starts on a local road historically used for hill climbs in the past.

So all appears well, but I wonder at what mileage it would have been changed  - if at all - having been serviced to 'the book'. (Its not listed as a task on the printed Ford service book pages). So therefore at what mileage the next change should be. Also, does my description of the ATF fit with 'normal' usage. TIA

m

[missionary]

Hmmm, 36 views but no opinions. Perhaps that reflects the proportionate number of automatic owners ?

m

[Fused]

Link    https://www.cars.com/articles/2013/07/do-you-really-need-to-change-the-transmission-fluid/    Ford @ 150k

[missionary]

My sincere thanks for your response. Its an interesting article and of course refers to the manufacturer's servicing schedule, yet I can find no information on this from the retail side of Ford, maybe they have copious information for the eyes of service managers only !?

It concurs with my view that the fluid appears to be a 'working' fluid with none other than signs that it has been doing its job.

It also makes the point that if it aint broke then don't fix it, yet illustrates the contradiction that the deterioration in old fluid will hasten the failure of brake bands, valves etc.

 A cursory oil  and strainer change will not be sufficient as it does not drain the TC. From my experience with the admittedly heavier duty transmissions of Toyota Land Cruiser 80's & 90's, the only way is to let a transmission specialist replace the fluid in a professional way, which is something like medical dialysis where the fluid is changed with the engine running and new heated fluid introduced via a plumbed-in  circuit, and the whole system is flushed and changed in a non-stop operation - about 250 quid too, but cheaper than a re-build.

I was hoping that maybe some dealer personnel might read this forum and add some inside knowledge, but that is maybe too much to hope for an obsolete model.

But my great thanks for your kind contribution.  I have some more questions coming up and hope that they may be easier for others to provide a response !

m

 

[Fused]

If you do need help http://www.automaticgearbox.co.uk/index.html have been very good in the past

[missionary]

Thank you.

They are  within my daily travelling range, but I also have a good specialist nearby in Aylesbury who once breathed on my Mitsi Grandis. I might get a quote from both companies for a fluid and filter change.

m

 

[iantt]

the aw81-40 doesnt have a fluid change interval, ford obviously determine that the original fluid will not deterioate sufficiently over the lifetime of the car .

[missionary]

 Yes quite, so at 155k is it at the end of life ?  Most people who look after their Ford of whatever model will claim they go on beyond 200k. So do I assume that I have 45k life left or replace the ATF and reduce the burden of wear ?

When looking at cars recently I discovered that the comparable Nissan  Note auto (a TC transmission) has a captive dipstick designed to prevent all and sundry removing it by issuing a shaped wedge to release it - to dealers. Perhaps Nissan work on the same theory as Ford ?

m

[iantt]

theres nothing stopping you from draining and refilling, theres no mention of a filter to replace when draining and refilling transmission oil, but imagine there is one of some sorts inside, 5.7 litres from empty inc cooler, for piece of mind I would drain what you can out of sump pan, refill ,run for a while and drain and refill again, that way its flushed out the worst from the pipes etc.

lifetime of a car is open to discussion, ie ford ecoboost 1.0 cambelt was promoted as lasting the lifetime of car, but a replacement interval was then produced at 150k/10 years. come to you own conclusion "lifetime"

[missionary]

A good friend who is a former Ford dealer principal tells me that the small sump pan has to be dropped to access an internal strainer which can be cleaned manually. (Toyotas are the same). 

But I think I would rather have it flushed and changed by a specialist in the recommended 'full flow' way.

As for lifetime, given that the car has been owned by the one original buyer who religiously had it serviced on time, every time, by the supplying Ford dealer; then I think its heading for way beyond a 200k lifetime.