Automatic Transmission Servicing - A/t: Maintenance Mercury Sable IV

SERVICE INTERVALS

Change transmission fluid at 30,000-mile intervals. See DRAINING & REFILLING .

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION

Note. Transmission fluid level should be checked every 15,000 miles. Transmission fluid dipstick is left of the brake fluid reservoir.

1. Transaxle temperature must be 150-170°F (66-77°C) before checking transmission fluid level. With vehicle on level ground, apply parking brake, and run engine at idle. Shift gear selector lever through all ranges, ending in Park. Fluid level should be in crosshatch area on dipstick.
2. If fluid level is not in crosshatch area, add fluid as necessary. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-142070-S29364893472002071700000) . DO NOT overfill. Check condition of fluid for contamination and burned smell. Ensure dipstick is fully installed.

RECOMMENDED FLUIDS

TRANSAXLE FLUID APPLICATION

DRAINING & REFILLING

1. Place the transaxle range selector lever in the Park position. Start the engine and check the transaxle fluid level and condition. Turn the engine OFF. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
2. Remove the lower retaining clip from the lower transaxle cooler line fitting. (Scheme 232) Depress the tabs on the plastic insert retainer and remove cooler line from fitting. (Scheme 233) Attach a flexible hose, approximately 3 feet (0.9 meters) in length, to the fluid cooler tube with the other end in a suitable, 15 qt. container. CAUTION: When plugging the cooler tube fitting make sure the plug is made of a soft material to prevent damage to the internal seal of the cooler tube fitting.
3. Insert a plug into the cooler tube fitting on the transaxle. Lower the vehicle. CAUTION: When the steady stream of transaxle fluid stops flowing, the engine must be turned OFF to prevent damage to the transaxle. Engine RPM should not exceed curb idle speed while draining the transaxle fluid.
4. Start the engine and run at idle while observing the flexible hose for 40-60 seconds until the steady stream of fluid stops flowing. Turn the engine OFF. This step will drain approximately 2-3 qts. (1.9-2.8L) of transaxle fluid. Fill the transaxle with 10 qts. (9.5L) of clean automatic transaxle fluid.
5. Fill the transaxle with 10 qts. (9.5L) of clean automatic transaxle fluid. CAUTION: When the steady stream of transaxle fluid stops flowing, the engine must be turned OFF to prevent damage to the transaxle. Engine RPM should not exceed curb idle speed while draining the transaxle fluid.
6. Start the engine and run at idle while observing the flexible hose for 2-3 minutes until the steady stream of fluid stops flowing. Turn the engine OFF. This step will drain approximately 10 qts. (9.5L). Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Remove the plug from the cooler tube fitting. Remove the flex hose from the cooler tube. NOTE: Clean the cooler tube fitting before installing it to ensure a good connection and to prevent any leaks.
7. Install the lower cooler tube. Install the lower retaining clip. Lower the vehicle. Fill the transaxle with 2qts. (1.9L) of clean automatic transaxle fluid. Start the engine and move the transaxle range selector lever through all the ranges allowing the transaxle to engage in each position. Check the transaxle at normal operating temperature. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION»(ref-142070-S11161442222002071700000). Fluid should be within the crosshatch area of the fluid level indicator. If the fluid is not within the crosshatched area add fluid in 1/2 pt. (0.2365L) increments until the correct level is achieved. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-142070-S29364893472002071700000).

Scheme 232

Scheme 233

OIL COOLER BACK FLUSHING & CLEANING

Note. Contaminates MUST be removed from oil cooler before transaxle is put back into service. Replace cooler supply tubes if leaking. Thoroughly back flush oil cooler and lines if a major service or transaxle removal has occurred. It is recommended that a mechanically agitated cleaner such as Rotunda (014-0028) be used. Flush for a minimum of 5 minutes.

1. Perform back flushing with a suitable torque converter/fluid cooler cleaner. Test the equipment to make sure that a vigorous fluid flow is present before proceeding. Install a new system filter if flow is weak or contaminated.
2. To aid in attaching the cleaner to the transaxle steel cooler tube, connect 2 additional rubber hoses to the transaxle end of the steel transaxle cooler tube as follows: Connect the cleaner tank pressure tube to the steel transaxle cooler return tube. Connect a tank return hose to the steel transaxle cooler pressure tube. Place the outlet end of this hose in the solvent tank reservoir.
3. Turn on solvent pump and allow the solvent to circulate a minimum of 5 minutes (cycling switch on and off will help dislodge contaminants in cooler system). Switch off the solvent pump and disconnect the solvent pressure hose from the transaxle cooler return tube.
4. Use compressed air to blow out the cooler(s) and tubes (blow air into the transaxle cooler return tube) until all solvent is removed. Remove the rubber return hose from the remaining steel cooler tube.
5. Fill the transaxle with appropriate fluid to proper level and check for correct transaxle operation. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION»(ref-142070-S11161442222002071700000) and «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-142070-S29364893472002071700000) .

TRANSAXLE FLUSH

1. Raise and support vehicle. Place drain pan under transaxle. Disconnect lower oil cooler line from transaxle. see scheme 7 Depress the tabs on the plastic insert retainer and remove cooler line from fitting. see scheme 8
2. Plug oil cooler line fitting in transaxle. Using appropriate rubber hose, connect one end of hose to end of transaxle oil cooler line, and place opposite end of hose in 15 qt. (14L) drain pan.
3. Start engine and idle at less than 1500 RPM for about 40-60 seconds until steady stream of fluid stops. About 2-3 qts. (1.9-2.8L) will have drained from transaxle. Stop engine and add 10 qts. (9.6L) of appropriate fluid. See «RECOMMENDED FLUIDS»(ref-142070-S29364893472002071700000). Start engine and idle at less than 1500 RPM for about 2-3 minutes until steady stream of fluid stops. Turn engine off.
4. Reattach cooler line at transaxle. Add 2.0 qts. (1.9L) of appropriate fluid. Start engine and shift transaxle through all gear ranges. Add fluid in.5 pt. (.25L) increments, until correct fluid level is reached. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVEL & CONDITION»(ref-142070-S11161442222002071700000).