PSA for those doing a transmission fluid dump and fill

[kcamp317]

I had some Motorcraft ULV transmission fluid left in the garage cabinet from a previous vehicle so decided to do a dump and fill on the Maverick transmission while I was under anyway changing oil. Obviously way early to be needed but I like to keep at least a portion of the total capacity freshened up regularly.

Ive done countless 6f and 8f dum and fills in the past but much to my surprise when I went to fill the fluid through the vent tube as usual it acted as if it was blocked off and made a mess/over flowed. Took the whole vent tube off with spring clamp and found a little white plastic plug/disk wedged up inside. I'm pretty sure thats not supposed to be there, probably something leftover from assembly. But it crated quite a mess and some thorough cleanup. Not fun.

Just hope this helps someone else....take a look and make sure before you go to add fluid. Just as a general reference I got about 4.25 quarts out after letting it drizzle and drip for an hour or so and according to the level check procedure it was pretty much right on the money after adding back in that same amount.

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[Rednek]

1. Release the clamp and remove the transmission vent.

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1. With the engine running in PARK, remove the transmission fluid leveling plug and check if transmission fluid seeps out of the transmission fluid leveling plug hole.

this is the proper method

 

[kcamp317]

Correct. Ive just never encountered that little plug on any other similar vehicles before. In my experience the removal of the vent tube was unnecessary and you could simply remove the vent cap and put a skinny funnel in to fill. Spring clamps in tight areas are a pain if you don't have to.

 

[Rednek]

hope you put it back in,it's a baffle for the vent so it won't purge when hot all over top of trans.

 

[kcamp317]

hope you put it back in,it's a baffle for the vent so it won't purge when hot all over top of trans.

I did not. Ive never seen that in the countless other similar Ford transmissions Ive serviced with a similar design such as the 6F and 8F in edges, escapes, etc. If it pukes out some fluid then we shall see but I don't see it as being a necessary component since so many other similar designs have not incorporated it in.

 

[apstephen]

Took the whole vent tube off with spring clamp and found a little white plastic plug/disk wedged up inside. I'm pretty sure thats not supposed to be there, probably something leftover from assembly.

Classic thread!

Shop manual?.....don't need it, cause in my experience they are all the same.

"I'm pretty sure thats not supposed to be there, probably something leftover from assembly."

Classic!

 

[Samcat13]

Another One. I've been a mechanic for 65 Years and never seen anything like that.

 

[Montana]

A little research goes a long way folks:

Transmission fluid check and service (per the service manual)

 

[Sjurgen]

It's supposed to be there. The procedure it to undo the spring clamp and remove the vent tube to fill trans. Mine had the restrictor as well.

 

[stevj]

Read every post in this thread and I still don't know what is this PSA thing the OP mentioned.
Pleasant Sunday Afternoon?

Steve

 

[Knine]

PSA - Public Service Announcement

 

[jb_cb900]

You don't need a 3/4" hole to vent the transmission. That restrictor can serve a couple of purposes including preventing excessive water intrusion and help in condensing the oil vapors before it vents to the atmosphere. Which would keep the area around the outside of the vent tube from being covered with a thin film of oil and accumulating dirt. It's not the end of the world if you leave it out for convenience to refill the trans, but I'd be leery of driving (splashing) through high water. I found Channel-Locks work much better than pliers when removing, and installing, the vent tube assembly.

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