5 Speed Trans Fluid Change

[DSPTurtle]

I think I figured out why there is no step by step with pictures for changing the trans fluid on the Mach... it is pretty dang simple.

But, for those of you (like me) that would at least like to be prepared to know what you are looking for, here goes.

I chose to do the change the fluid from under the car method as I had just installed an MGW a few weeks ago and didn't want to have to mess with getting the interior dirty / re-torqueing / gasket material, etc.

Before I started I took the car for a 5 minute drive to get things warmed up a little bit. This should allow the fluid an easier time of draining. (Be careful, the exhaust pipes might still be hot but they cool quicker then the fluid so no rush)

Everything happens from the passenger side... first thing first jack and secure the car.


Having all the tools when you start is helpful too:
1/2" ratchet
1/2" to 3/8" adapter (the fill and drain plugs are 3/8")
4 qts of trans fluid (I chose Mobil 1 ATF after a lot of research that basically boiled down to the fluid having a MERCON rating) (but you will only use 3.15 qts, more on that later)
Hand Pump ($7 at auto parts store / make sure it fits the 1 quart container)
Teflon Tape (I used the heavy duty pink tape, you could also use some pipe thread compound if you have that handy)
Brake Cleaner (optional but makes clean up easy)


Once you have the car jacked up you need to find the fill plug. It is buried up near the top of the trans on the passenger side towards the back. Loosen this one first, using the 3/8" adapter on the 1/2" ratchet, in case you can't get it out for some reason.


Now for the drain plug. It sits in the back on the bottom of the transmission. Same deal, 3/8" adapter fits right in. Be ready to catch the fluid. This stuff is like water and comes down in a hurry. Make sure your catch can is big enough... at least with a 4 quart capacity.


While the fluid is draining you can clean up the fill and drain plugs. I scraped off as much of the old pipe sealant as I could with a tiny screwdriver.

Now you can wrap the fill and drain plugs with Teflon tape in a clockwise direction (so it does not come off when tightening the plug). Don’t worry about getting the plugs mixed up, they are the exact same except the bottom one will probably be a little dirtier then the top one.

Once the fluid has drained you can put the Teflon tape wrapped drain plug back in. These plugs have pipe threads so they will seal pretty well. Don’t over tighten or you might crack the trans case. It is a tapered plug. Mine ended up being a little short of flush with the edge of the drain hole. (Worst case is it weeps a little bit and you can go back and put another 1/8th of a turn on it in a few weeks)

Now comes the exciting part… putting the fluid back in. If you are doing this on your back (like I did), snake the fill hose into the fill hole before you try to attach the bottle of fluid. It will take a few million pumps of the little hand pump but you will eventually get there.


Now here is the important part!!! The amount of fluid that you put back will not allow for the old school method of “fill it till she drips out the hole”. I researched the TSB 04-15-06. Along with a recommendation to change some internal parts, the TSB also changed the fill capacity to 3.0 liters (6.3 pints or 3.15 quarts). This is roughly “19mm/.75” below the hole.” Yeah right, try measuring that on your back. I ended up putting all three quarts in PLUS 5 ounces from the fourth bottle. (Luckily my wife was not home so I measured it with a nice pyrex measuring cup after doing the conversion from metric to 'mercan)

Install the tape wrapped fill plug, this one ended up sticking out a bit more (I probably used more tape) but still, get it tight but don’t over tighten.

Now you can squirt some brake cleaner on the drips and drabs to clean everything up and make it look nice and pretty (if you leave your catch can under there it will help to minimize the mess).

That’s it… you are done. Get the car off jacks and take it for a ride. Look under there in a few days to see if the drain plug is weeping, otherwise you are done for a few years.

[japan4racing]

Good info...I just did a fluid change a couple weeks ago while installing the aluminum driveshaft. I used the same atf but didn't find the tsb until a week later. All the info is on this site but now that you have put it all in one post this should be a sticky.

[Brown7]

i just happened to do my trans and oil change today as well lol..

i put it on stands on the A-arms, emptied oil/filter/change plugged it back
moved forward and drained the transmission and plugged it back.


i spent the next 30mins talking on the phone taking my shifter out and put in 3qts +half of one bottle roughly. The shifter really is the easy way of doing it.


drove it around the block and man it feels like it fixed my shifting problems.. it was soo much more smoother.

i used Motorcraft semi-synthetic and Mercon 4 ATF.

loving it.. Now if only i could get the funds approval for a new catback

[04Mach1Blurr]

Subscribed and cant wait to do the fluid change. Taking off the exhaust (irs) and polishing it too. Ans also installing an ipod auxilary input, ahhh so much work to do on spring break! awesome!

[blk 04 mach 1]

Thanks! Great info!!!

[Robert Fray]

I have always poured the fluid through the shifter opening , this is super quick and easy. i did this on both my T5 5.0 cars for years and never had a problem.

[ASH302]

this is very good and i think somewhat needs to be a sticky. very helpful and i know back in the day i ask how to do this. so this would be useful for future new guys to have. you got my vote.

[Nebstang]

Probably a really dumb question, but is it really necessary to remove the fill plug if you're going in via the shifter? I watched the American Muscle How To and that's exactly what they did in the video.

Doing a shifter, CobraBob gasket and fluid change tomorrow and want to make sure it's done right.

[blown03Mach1]

Originally Posted by Nebstang

Probably a really dumb question, but is it really necessary to remove the fill plug if you're going in via the shifter? I watched the American Muscle How To and that's exactly what they did in the video.

Doing a shifter, CobraBob gasket and fluid change tomorrow and want to make sure it's done right.

The fill plug does need removed. Fill it till fluid starts to run out the side of the tranny fill hole.

[blown03Mach1]

ok my bad, I just did this to my tranny this weekend and that was the process that Tremec stated on their website. Unfortunately, I am running a 56 not a 3650.....

I am guessing you are going to tell me that this is incorrect for the 56 as well and that there is a revised lower fill limit in it? Just needing to know if I need to drain some out.

[DSPTurtle]

I guess Wild Bill was not satisfied with the embedded link in my first post. LOL

[blown03Mach1]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

Ummmm............did the TSB say anything about a T56?

Which is why I stated my bad. ...

[DSPTurtle]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

Ummmm.........why do you say that?

It wasn't ME that said to fill the fluid until it came out the fill hole.

Are you being purposely obtuse?

[toad]

nice clear writeup, thanks. now I am going to find the secret formula that I read about about a year ago...


ah... I think this is it: whole quart of Lucas tranny fix, then 2.3 quarts of tranny fluid in. Mobil 1 synthetic should be fine.

[Con's Mach1]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

Use ONLY if you are having problems.

When it comes to these things, I always wait for you to chime in BILL.....

[toad]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

Use ONLY if you are having problems.

when cold, it will sometimes grind, not much just a little grr after it warms up she is fine. hard shift to third it always bitches a little but goes in

[muzman]

Hey Bill, my car is finally getting complied after 7 years today, had to get the law changed down here before I could register and drive it on NZ roads legally because its left hand drive, anyway..... next week I am booking the car in for the oil change in the gear box, I have the 1-2 clunk and grinding sounds, yes I have read the threads and will only get 3- 3.2 litres refilled, my question to you to be on the safe side after reading this thread, is what brand do you reckon is OK to use, the one that you posted here Motorcraft mercon xt-2-qdx or will the havoline dexron III work alright as well or for that matter any brand within reason- dexron III grade? I will appreciate your opinion.Thanks.

[Lonestar7]

You might want some Lucas trans fix mixed in as well for the grind.


LS

[muzman]

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

I had the best luck with the Mobil1 Auto tranny fluid and the Lucas

Thanks Bill and Lonestar7, Bill is that the lucas trans fix product that Lonestar7 was referring to as well? & How much did you mix in?

[muzman]

Thanks for the guidance WB.

[ASH302]

when i did my trans change i used royal purple, it felt a lot better after i used it in the trans,

[ASH302]

Also how often should the trans fluid be changed??????

[muzman]

cant get mobil1 down here unless I buy a ton of it and mortgage the house so my mechanic mate has organised something else, mercon rated dexron 111 semi synthetic stuff, can't remember the name and the lucas trans fix, will let you know how the GB feels after the blood transfusion.

[ASH302]

Originally Posted by muzman

cant get mobil1 down here unless I buy a ton of it and mortgage the house so my mechanic mate has organised something else, mercon rated dexron 111 semi synthetic stuff, can't remember the name and the lucas trans fix, will let you know how the GB feels after the blood transfusion.

i used royal purple you able to get ahold of that?????

[muzman]

Originally Posted by 460hpmach1

i used royal purple you able to get ahold of that?????

maybe, but he has already orded the "good oil" for the operation tomorrow morning, cant wait.