Hi all,
Recent TF owner, purchased as a cheap runaround vehicle, should do the trick well.

I'm actually a Ford man (stay calm LOL) and am pretty familiar with dropping the pan to drain the fluid (about 4L in a Ford 4 sp), change the internal filter, replace the pan and fill through the fill bolt (No dipstick in about 1996+ models).

The trans in the TF oil is still slightly red, and has had a 'service' according to previous owners paperwork 12mths ago, but I want to do it again to be sure. Since the fluid looks ok and its performing well (slight harsh change now and again, nothing I haven't felt in a Falcon!) I am happy just to do a fluid drop from the pan, refill and replace external filter. Is it just a case of:

1. Undo pan, allow fluid to drain (should I remove pan - is there a pan gasket?)
2. Put back pan
3. Replace external filter
4. Refil through trans dipstick

If I just drain and refill, approx how much fluid will this replace? I am aware this will not replace all the fluid. I work on the assumption that doing this regularly (since its a bit easier with a dipstick and external filter, unlike the damn Falcons) will keep the fluid relatively fresh.

I'm a BIG fan of 'Lucas' Automatic Transmission Treatment - what are your opinions? The trans has done 235000 (I assume its original but may not be too).

I will use TQM/SPIII

PS. My power steering fluid was near empty, no obvious leaks, but could not find much of a guide to what to use, then I found Castrol mention 'Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid' with a note that Dextron II or Dextron III can also be used (for power steering, not transmission of course). Is this accurate about using Dextron III because that's the only Dextron I had some so topped it up with that.....its going ok.

Thanks all

PS. I have also posted a question re: HID headlights.

I've never done anything to a trans. Pedders wanted me to spend about $700 on a new PS pump because of leaks. I top it up with castrol PS fluid, works fine and has done for the last 4 yrs. Steering makes funny noises and feels odd when the fluid is low.

From what I remember the auto trans holds about 8 litres (or was it 7?) when you drain the oil only 4 litres will come out as the rest is held in the torque convertor, the Mistubishi way is to undo the trans fluid line to the radiator and top up the fluid, run the car for I think 30 secs, top up and keep repeating this until the fluid is the correct colour.

If you have an external filter I don't think you need to remove the pan as only the later models would have an internal filter.

There are places that do power flushes for a few hundred dollars but I've never used them.

you don't need to remove the pan. on the passenger side of the gearbox pan is a 24mm drain plug. undo this and about 4 - 5 litres of fluid will come out (if it is on ramps more like 5L comes out due to the angle).
Punch a hole in the top of the external filter before unscrewing it as this allows most of the fluid to drain out of it.

Fill to cold level on dipstick then go for a good 20 min drive to get the trans fluid hot (70 - 80 degrees celcius) and top up to the HOT full line.

If the trans if shifting well, don't put any additives in it.

P/S fluid is dexron II spec but i have used dexron III with no problems.

REgards
Epitrochoid

Thanks guys. Yeah, for a cheap runabout I don't want to have to spend hundreds if I don't have to. 4 or 5 L and the filter changed I'll be happy with since its red and running quite well.

Epitrochoid - I am pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that Dex III is backward compatible, in fact is Dex II with improvements.

I'm getting sick of the throttle! Either the pedal, cable or throttle butterfly is sticky at take off. I will give everything a good clean and spray and hope I don't have to stuff around replacing the throttle cable.