[Graybeard]

The factory manual procedure for changing the ATF in the 6 cyl FWD Windstar/Freestar takes 15 quarts. With the current price of Mercon V, that's no longer a minor item in my budget. Is there a way to recover that ATF, or is it only good for washing the grease off your hands?

[jfjohn]

I wouldn't use used ATF to wash grease off my hands. Used oils can be carcinogenic.

[phantom]

Unless you use a fluid exchange machine you will only be able to do a partial change due to there is no converter drain.

[Graybeard]

It may be only a partial change, but it's a major dilution of the old ATF, as the return line from the cooler is routed into a 15 qt bucket, and then the ATF run out at idle, refill and repeat. That's the Ford service procedure. I've been told the quickie places take some kind of inadequate shortcut.

[shensley]

the only time you need that many quarts of tranny fluid is when you drop the tranny and drain the torque converter too. tell them you just changing fluid and filter. all you needs is about 6 or 7 quarts. i got a 96 windstar so they cant tell you any different.

[Graybeard]

shensley, what procedure does your factory service manual have? Mine for the 2002 says 15 qt. for the flush and refill, per above method.

[Willyum]

"Quickie" places pump it out thru the dip stick hole, leaving the dirty magnet and pan sludge in tact. A simple pan drop, cleanout and new filter takes abt 8 qts. If you don't use your vehicle in severe service and do the change every 30K miles, you shouldn't need to flush it. My fluid comes out looking as clean as the new I put in.
Cheapest place I've found for Mercon V is Wal-Mart.
Either way, if you think your DIY job is expensive, ask what Ford charges for it.

[dyngrngalaxie]

Just me, but I've always been a believer in every other year transmission (and coolant) services. Got 22 years out of an '89 Tempo without any transmission problems. Yup, you don't get them for $75. anymore. While I prefer to give the dealer the business, found that a reputable transmission shop did it on my Crown Vic about $100. cheaper than dealer. (around $160 if memory serves me correctly - flush and synth fluid) Friends had a '94 Marquis with many miles on it. Started to make a noise like going over those ribs on the road when you approach an intersection. Trans service fixed it. About 80,000 miles on my '03 and so far, so good. (They also don't take kindly to having wheels agressively spun in snow) It's a fair bit of change, but seems to provide reliable operation & is cheaper than a rebuild.

[Willyum]

Be careful of quick change places, including Pep Boys. Not only do they simply pump out what they can get out of the dip stick hole, they won't use Mercon V. Service writer at Pep Boys told me that "you won't notice any difference".

[oldtimer35]

Ford dealerships and Ford "Quick Lane" uses an inline procedure, where all fluid in the trans must enter the flush machine and new fluid replaceing it. Also, we use nothing but the correct fluids and most sevices in this area run $179.00/ While I realize that that amount is not pocket change to most folks, including me, it is cheaper than a rebuild. I have had very good luck with this procedure on my Fords, most going more than 200K before giving them to my kids and watching them drive the vehicle another 3-4 years.