Properly drainning my trans?
 

Hello everyone,

I am going to change out my trans fluid to a synthetic type and am wondering how to properly drain the darn thing. I have a 97 Ford Ranger 5 speed manual w/OD. (M5OD ?) Now there is some question as to it already having synthetic in it because supposedly Ford switched from Mercon ATF (mine does take the ATF) to Mercon V (which is synthetic) in 1997. Doesn't really matter because I have 175k miles on it and it needs changed anyhow.

My question is how can I effectively get all (or as much as possible) of the old fluid out. What the "shops" are charging for a power flush is outrageous ($125+) and I would rather do it myself. If I just start pushing new fluid in the top, would this be akin to a "low power" flush?

As a second question: What would you forums regulars recommend for new fluid? I am considering the Mercon synthetic, mainly because Ford did make it for their trans. or Royal Purple ATF. I have heard some good things about the RP products. Unless there are any better choices that I haven't heard of yet.

Thanks for all your advice.

I would go with what ever in the newest ATF oil that you use. Royal Purple ATF I'm not sure about you should do research but i thought that most of there stuff was for performance and to be changed out often I could be wrong about that.

I'm not exactly sure how it the draining is performed on your turck but usually one would loosen the bolts on the trans pan and take the back bolts with the car tilted let the oil drain remove and replace the trans filter then refill. You will probably want to the similar to the rear diff.

Thanks for the reply. I had planned on putting the truck on ramps to give it a tilt. :thumbup: I had just hoped that there were some little tricks that I might not have known about. I had heard that without doing a "power flush" that you could only get 70%-80% of the fluid out. I just thought the regulars here or some more mechanically inclined folks might chime in with ideas about getting better results. You know, like trying to help out the newbie who doesn't have all the smarts, but is trying to find a way to increase his mileage on little $.

Thanks again Phantom

I wouldnt worry too much about not getting all the fluid out of a manual. They drain pretty well compared to an auto.

I've heard GM/Pennzoil Synchromesh is about the best manual trans fluid you can get. The Pennzoil variety is $7.49 a quart at advance.

Thanks bhazard. Ford used ATF in mine and not working on cars for a living I don't know about using anything but ATF in there. Ford makes a Synthetic ATF and I think that's the way I'm leaning right now. Unless there is something better out there I don't know of yet.

I had a bad experience with Pennziol motor oil (not syth.) some years ago and it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth for their products. Maybe I should look at them again?

Thanks again.

ATF is much thinner than gear oil, do not use the Syncromesh in a transmission that is spec'ed for ATF!

-soD

What he said! Never put ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) in a manual transmission! You should be using just 10W-30 motor oil or something similar.

I got this from this ford truck forum. There is also a video on replacing trans oil on YouTube; it's for a Honda transaxle, but move the shape of the parts around, and it's the same exact thing you'll be encountering. It sounds pretty typical of a manual transmission, and I would recommend Royal Purple; from all I've heard, people swear by them, and they stand by their product.

Where he mentions a kerosene pump, a fuel siphon pump would serve the same purpose.

Quote:

Changing Fluid In M5OD 5 Speed Manual Transmission

Ok. Well it appears you have done the appropriate research for the transmission flush on your vehicle.

Good luck. :)