Automatic Transmission - Servicing: Maintenance Ford Explorer III

SERVICE INTERVALS

Inspect transmission oil level and condition at every transmission service or overhaul. Under normal service, change fluid and filter at 150,000-mile intervals. Change transmission fluid and filter at 30,000-mile intervals when used under the following conditions

1. In hot weather with temperatures greater than 90°F (32°C), carrying heavy loads and/or in hilly terrain.
2. Towing a trailer or using a car top carrier.
3. In police, taxi or door-to-door delivery service.
4. Extreme dusty conditions or off-road use.

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL

1. Using the scan tool (WDS), monitor the Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) using PID: TFT. Start the vehicle. Engine idle speed is approximately 650 RPM. While proceeding with this procedure, run the engine until the transmission fluid temperature is between 80-120°F (27-49°C). Move the range selector lever slowly through each gear, stopping in each position and allowing the transmission to engage.
2. Place the range selector lever in the Park position. With the engine running, position the vehicle on a hoist and set it as close to level as possible. Hold the larger drain plug with a wrench and remove the small (center) fluid level indicating plug using a 3/16" Allen key.
3. Install the Fluid Level & Fill Plug Adapter (307-437) into the pan. (Scheme 16) Prior to filling the special tool with clean transmission fluid, make sure that the canister is clean. Fill the Fluid Transporter/Evacuator/Injector (307-D465) with clean automatic transmission fluid. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-155744-S26036337682003062400000).
4. Hang the fluid transporter/evacuator/injector under the vehicle. (Scheme 17) Position it upright and close to the transmission. Connect the open end of the fluid hose from the fluid transporter/evacuator/injector to the fluid level and fill plug adapter at the bottom of the transmission fluid pan. (Scheme 18)
5. Apply a maximum of 30 psi (206.85 kPa) to the open end of the vacuum/pressure hose from the Rubber Tip Air Nozzle (100-D009). (Scheme 19) Fluid will immediately start flowing out of the rubber tip air nozzle into the transmission fluid pan. Add one pint of transmission fluid into the fluid pan. Stop the process by releasing the air pressure and removing the air nozzle from the end of the hose.
6. Inspect the fluid level in the special tool. If the fluid drains back into the canister, the transmission is full. If no fluid drains back, more fluid will need to be added. Repeat step 5. Once the transmission is full, place a hand vacuum pump on the open end of the vacuum/pressure hose of the Vacuum Pump Kit (416-D002) and apply vacuum to the system. (Scheme 20) This will pull out any extra fluid trapped in the system and direct it into the container.
7. Allow the fluid to drain. Make sure that the fluid temperature is between 80-120°F (27-49°C). When the fluid comes out as a thin stream or drip, the fluid is at the correct level. Reinstall the small (center) fluid level indicating plug using a 3/16" Allen key.
8. Check the operation of the transmission by moving the range selector lever slowly through each gear, stopping in each position and allowing the transmission to engage.

Scheme 16

Scheme 17

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

Scheme 20

RECOMMENDED FLUIDS

RECOMMENDED FLUIDS

DRAINING & REFILLING

Note. For appropriate transmissions, use the Automatic Transmission Flush and Fill Machine (211-00018) or the Automatic Transmission Flush and Fill Machine (199-00010) or equivalent.

Draining

1. With the vehicle in Park, position it on a hoist. Set the vehicle as close to level as possible.
2. Remove the drain plug (large plug) and allow the fluid to drain. (Scheme 21)
3. Remove transmission fluid pan screws and fluid pan. Remove transmission fluid pan gasket, filter screws and filter. (Scheme 22) Remove transmission fluid pan magnet.

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

Refilling

1. To install fluid pan, gasket and filter, reverse removal procedures. (Scheme 21)and (Scheme 22).
2. Hold the larger drain plug with a wrench and remove the small (center) fluid level indicating plug using a 3/16" Allen key. Install the Fluid Level & Fill Plug Adapter (307-437) into the pan. (Scheme 16)
3. Prior to filling the Fluid Transporter/Evacuator/Injector (307-D465) with clean transmission fluid, make sure that the canister is clean. (Scheme 17) Fill the special tool with clean automatic transmission fluid. Hang the fluid transporter/evacuator/injector under the vehicle, upright and close to the transmission.
4. Connect the open end of the fluid hose from the fluid transporter/evacuator/injector to the fluid level and fill plug adapter at the bottom of the transmission fluid pan. (Scheme 18)
5. Apply a maximum of 30 psi (206.85 kPa) to the open end of the vacuum/pressure hose from the Rubber Tip Air Nozzle (100-D009). (Scheme 19) Fluid will immediately start flowing out of the special tool into the transmission fluid pan.
6. Add 2 or 3 quarts of transmission fluid into the fluid pan. Stop the process by releasing the air pressure and removing the air nozzle from the end of the hose. Engine idle speed is approximately 650 RPM. Start and run the engine until the transmission fluid temperature is between 80-120°F (27-49°C).
7. Inspect the fluid level in the special tool. If the fluid drains back into the canister, the transmission is full. If no fluid drains back, more fluid will need to be added. Repeat steps 6 and 7.
8. Once the transmission is full, place a hand vacuum pump on the open end of the vacuum/pressure hose of the Vacuum Pump Kit (416-D002) and apply vacuum to the system. (Scheme 20) This will pull out any extra fluid trapped in the system and direct it into the container.
9. Allow the fluid to drain. When the fluid comes out as a thin stream or drip, the fluid is at the correct level. Reinstall the small (center) fluid level indicating plug using a 3/16" Allen key.