Auto trans fluid: replace or not?
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From: Nanaimo, British Columbia
Auto trans fluid: replace or not?
Hey all,
2005 Ford Ranger Edge, 3.0, automatic transmission, rwd, at 219 000 kilometers (about 136 000 mi). A few days ago, was driving through a pretty intense rainstorm, and hit some fairly high water. Not sure its exact depth, but it splashed up onto my windshield, and probably came up pretty close to the transmission pan at least. I'm pretty sure it soaked some electronics, which I tried to air-dry and clean out with WD40. Next day, the transmission slipped while in reverse; it stopped doing this after I let it sit for a few hours, and hit the trans electronics with WD40, but the overdrive seemed more reluctant than usual - while driving, it would shift between top and next-down gears, around 1500-1900 RPM, about 70-80 kph, and shuddered a bit as a result. Cleaning the transmission electrical connectors again with WD40 seemed to help with this, but upshifting still seems slower than usual, the OD seems to take longer to kick in, I once felt a clunk and, another time, possibly heard a brief grind, once each. When I checked the dipstick, the transmission fluid smells very strongly - it actually smells almost exactly like rotten feta cheese (doesn't seem to smell burnt, though). When I checked the dipstick about two weeks ago, it looked and smelt fine. So, my question is, at this mileage and with those observations, would it be prudent to do a transmission fluid change, i.e. dropping the pan, changing out whatever fluid comes out, putting a new filter on, and then sealing everything up again without replacing the fluid in the torque converter? Or should I be thinking about having a professional look at it? Are there any other tips or suggestions for trying to save this truck?
Thanks!
2005 Ford Ranger Edge, 3.0, automatic transmission, rwd, at 219 000 kilometers (about 136 000 mi). A few days ago, was driving through a pretty intense rainstorm, and hit some fairly high water. Not sure its exact depth, but it splashed up onto my windshield, and probably came up pretty close to the transmission pan at least. I'm pretty sure it soaked some electronics, which I tried to air-dry and clean out with WD40. Next day, the transmission slipped while in reverse; it stopped doing this after I let it sit for a few hours, and hit the trans electronics with WD40, but the overdrive seemed more reluctant than usual - while driving, it would shift between top and next-down gears, around 1500-1900 RPM, about 70-80 kph, and shuddered a bit as a result. Cleaning the transmission electrical connectors again with WD40 seemed to help with this, but upshifting still seems slower than usual, the OD seems to take longer to kick in, I once felt a clunk and, another time, possibly heard a brief grind, once each. When I checked the dipstick, the transmission fluid smells very strongly - it actually smells almost exactly like rotten feta cheese (doesn't seem to smell burnt, though). When I checked the dipstick about two weeks ago, it looked and smelt fine. So, my question is, at this mileage and with those observations, would it be prudent to do a transmission fluid change, i.e. dropping the pan, changing out whatever fluid comes out, putting a new filter on, and then sealing everything up again without replacing the fluid in the torque converter? Or should I be thinking about having a professional look at it? Are there any other tips or suggestions for trying to save this truck?
Thanks!
Last edited by IslandRanger05; Oct 27, 2021 at 06:22 PM.
I would drain the fluid first and then decide if you need a flush
If there is water intrusion you will see it, if not then change the filter and refill with new fluid
If you see water then put pan back on and put old fluid back in, top it up and scheduled a flush
Flushes are not recommended after 150k miles, but yours and the shops judgement
If there is water intrusion you will see it, if not then change the filter and refill with new fluid
If you see water then put pan back on and put old fluid back in, top it up and scheduled a flush
Flushes are not recommended after 150k miles, but yours and the shops judgement
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